PNW secures grant to improve steelmaking process

HAMMOND & WESTVILLE, Ind. (Inside INdiana Business) — Purdue University Northwest researchers have been awarded a $7 million federal grant to study blast furnace efficiency. Researchers at the Center for Innovation through Visualization and Simulation are leading a team in the study to develop a next-generation Integrated Virtual Blast Furnace to be more efficient, to reduce emissions and to devise a training model.

Team leader Tyamo Oksun says the three-year grant will allow CIVS to develop a team from national laboratories, universities and industry to find ways to reduce energy consumption by 4.5% to 10% in blast furnace and downstream processes. Oksun says the project also expects to produce education and training for students, engineers and operators in the steel industry.

“We are very grateful for this prestigious award by the Department of Energy and the strong support from our university, collaborators and supporters,” said Chenn Zhou, CIVS director. “Our top-notch project team will generate an innovative cutting-edge solution that will benefit blast furnaces in Northwest Indiana and throughout the United States.”

The grant work is set to begin in the spring.