Steel Recycling Process

EDSGN 100Xinli Wu

Michael Barton, James Dryden, Jacob Schneider, Matt Villani

Sponsored by ArcelorMittal

Design Task

• Primary goal: (from project kick-off presentation)

1. Separate advanced high strength steel (AHSS) from scrap

autos

2. Use mix of AHSS and low carbon aluminum-killed (LCAK)

scrap to make LCAK heat

Research

• Research required to familiarize the team with steel recycling– How scrap is processed– How materials are combined to make steel– How different alloys affect steel characteristics– Characteristics of the steel to be sorted (AHSS and

LCAK)

Brainstorming

• Analyzed several potential methods of sorting scrap– Magnetism, density, melting point, eddy currents

• Research found that optical emissions spectrometry could be used to differentiate between the types of scrap

• Chosen for being a proven, pre-existing technology

How it works?

• Optical Emission Spectrometer– Heats up atoms in material– Different elements give off unique

frequencies of light– Different frequencies used to determine

material

Steps in Process

1. Scrap steel sorted in Optical Emission Spectrometer

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2. Necessary elements added to basic oxygen furnace.

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3. Steel is cooled and rolled for shipping.

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