Center for Iron and Steelmaking Research (CISR)

Director: R.J. Fruehan; Associate Director: S. Seetharaman [web site]

CISR is the largest academic research program for the steel industry in North America.

Center Mission Statement

The primary goal of CISR is to conduct basic and long-term research relevant to iron and steel production. The objectives of CISR are to:

• Perform fundamental research in ironmaking, steelmaking, refining and casting .
• Educate and develop students with strong technical skills applicable to the steel and steel-support industries.
• Establish a forun to discuss the long-term research needs of the industry and an organization to perform the research developed through these discussions.
• Provide a mechanism for leveraging industrial funds through cooperative research and Government support.

Research Program

In 1984 Carnegie Mellon University received a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to plan and develop a cooperative research center in iron and steelmaking. CISR began operations in 1985 with 11 charter members. Currently CISR has 16 industrial members and about $1 million in funding. CISR has been successful in attracting industrial associates from France, the Netherlands, Australia and South Africa as well as North America. Recently CISR has initiated projects relating to improving energy efficiency and recycling. For example, research on copper in scrap and new ironmaking processes which will greatly reduce energy requirements.

In addition to standard high-temperature equipment, the center also has several unique facilities including X-ray fluorescence for investigating high-temperature reactions and processes (greater then 1550°C) and a high temperature scanning laser microscope for direct visualization. We also have a scientific SETARAM TA/DTA/DSC with humidity control.

CISR is conducting research in three primary area:

Ironmaking: CISR conducts research on improvement of the blast furnace such as softening and melting behavior of ferrous burdens. The main research in ironmaking is on new processes which reduce energy consumption and emissions. For example, using composite pellets of ore and charcoal, as renewal energy source, in a low temperature (1200°C) hearth furnace followed by direct smelting.

Refining: Research has been conducted on recycling of waste oxides and post combustion in oxygen steelmaking. Currently models of the electric arc furnace process including decarburization, slag foaming, and scrap melting rates is being developed.

Clean Steel and Casting: Currently onging activities in the area of refining and inclusion control include: (i) Transient deoxidation reactions in the ladle for Al-Ti-TiSu steels and (ii) the effect of Ti on oxide metallurgy. In the area of casting we are currently on uderstanding the formation of oscillation marks, mold flux properties and the effect of Cu on cracking.

Recent or ongoing research projects include:

• Optimization of Foaming, Decarburization and Flux Practice in EAF
• Mixed Burden Softening and Melting Phenomenon
• Simulation of reduction or iron-ore carbon composite pellets in a Rotary Hearth Furnace
• A New Ironmaking Process to Reduce Energy Consumption and Produce Hydrogen
• Oxidation and Decarburization in TRIP Steels
• A Study of Copper-Induced Surface Hot Shortness in Low Carbon Steels
• Minimization of Oscillation Marks
• Mold flux Radioactive Heat Transfer
• Solidification Phenomena

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