SAFEPOT
Secondary materials recycled in Alternative ways For Easy Protection Of steelmaking Tools
CHALLENGES
Large quantities of slags, spent refractories, and refractory production waste are still landfilled despite their potential as secondary raw materials
Slag pots are exposed to extreme thermal and mechanical stresses, leading to refractory wear, slag adhesion, reduced service life, and frequent maintenance requirements.
Existing solutions, such as sand, lime, and pebbles, provide limited protection against slag adhesion and pot degradation.
The steel sector requires solutions that decrease landfill disposal, reduce the use of virgin raw materials, and support circular economy objectives.
Innovative solutions must provide measurable operational, maintenance, and cost benefits to encourage industrial adoption.
Developed technologies need to be scalable and applicable to different steelmaking environments to maximize their impact and market uptake
Mechanical removal of adhered slag is a labor-intensive operation that can expose workers to hazardous conditions and operational risks.
Steelmaking residues and spent refractories show significant variability in chemical, physical, and mineralogical properties, making their reuse technically challenging.
New formulations based on secondary raw materials must withstand severe thermal conditions while maintaining durability and performance.