In the metallurgical sector, the main by-products produced are slags. Their composition and properties largely vary based on the metal production and furnace processes. These slags are partly valorised mainly in low add-value applications. Increase their value or the recycling rate is related to the ability to stabilize the polluting elements, to increase the amorphous content of the slag (granulated slags) and to keep a steady and interesting composition to sell it on the market as an additive or a substitute to raw materials. Lot of news building material could benefit from using slags in their mix including geopolymers and new low carbon cements.

To modify the slags and make them usable for such purposes, a characterization of their properties is needed as a starting point. A prospection of the target composition is the second point to get. Finally, a thermodynamic approach can help to find different ways to modify the current slag to a valuable secondary material.

CRM Group would like to offer an internship/master thesis on this topic within the team of researchers and technicians in the "Recycling and Valorisation" department.

Some disbursement is possible but will depend of the student’s situation.

Objectives

The intern will take in charge the following tasks:

• Literature review of slags compositions according to the processes and metal
• Database development of slags main properties
• Viscosity measurements of slags with a unique high temperature rheometer
• Thermodynamic calculations (using a dedicated Software)

About the candidate

Student in geology, chemistry (or associate), engineering or mechanics

Languages: English or French