This work is in line with two major environmental issues for the iron & steel industry today, namely the circular economy and the reduction of carbon emissions. To this end, the iron & steel industry aims to increase the recycling of secondary materials and to improve the efficiency of existing processes. Unfortunately, these primary raw materials (iron ore) or secondary raw materials (co-products) are often in a finely dispersed state. To overcome this problem, cold agglomeration or sintering processes are used to densify the material or give it the mechanical properties necessary for use in industrial facilities. Understanding the physical/chemical characteristics of the raw materials is essential to control and optimize the operations.

When it comes physical characteristics such as size and shape of materials, the Camsizer is an equipment with an innovative measurement system. It is a state-of-the-art opto-electronic device, used to determine particle size distribution and shape parameters of bulk materials, with basis on dynamic digital image processing. This tool can also be valorized to support other CRM activities (recycling, additive manufacturing, etc.).

In view of that, the CRM Group would like to offer an internship on this theme within the team of researchers and technicians of the "Iron-&Steelmaking" activity. The student should have knowledge/interest in the field of materials characterization. The subject can be adjusted according to the profile of the trainee and/or the strengths of the school concerned.

Internship context

The trainee will aim at learning and mastering the use of the Camsizer P4, getting to know and explore the equipment's potential in the characterization of different kind of materials. More specifically, his/her tasks will be:

• Utilization and exploration of the diverse tools regarding size determination and shape parameters available on Camsizer P4, with basis on the size/shape characterization of
  • three different iron ore types and comparison among them;
  • 2 by-products (if can be done in safe conditions).
• Understanding the importance of characterization in a practical example: assessment of the shape influence on the granulation ability of these iron ores and/or assessment of the size influence on the permeability presented by a sinter mix;
• Validation of Camsizer P4 measures and comparison with other techniques of particle size determination, such as classical sieving and Occhio Zephyr (advantages, limitations, etc.)

Profile

Student in chemistry, materials engineering, mechanics, or related; with good feeling in the field of materials characterization

Profile: curiosity, autonomy, organization, good practical sense, team spirit, creativity

Languages: French or English