JFE Steel Corporation and Tohoku University’s Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials announced that they established the Collaborative Research Laboratory of Advanced Analysis Technology in May to promote R&D on ironmaking and steelmaking processes. The aim is to organically apply the latest analytical technologies for more advanced steelmaking processes through industrial-academic collaboration between JFE Steel engineers and Tohoku University researchers.

JFE Steel and Tohoku University concluded an agreement on collaborative partnership in 2017, based on which they have been investigating promising research themes, notably the reduction of CO₂ emissions. To strengthen research on reduced-impact materials processing, Professor Hiroshi Nogami of the Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials has been named a professor of the Collaborative Research Laboratory and Principal Researcher Yuji Miki at JFE Steel has been appointed to the post of visiting professor. In addition, JFE Steel researchers will be assigned to projects as appropriate.

The new laboratory will combine JFE Steel’s technology for analyzing and operating large-scale, high-temperature processes and Tohoku University’s cutting-edge numerical analysis technology. The goal is to develop new technologies, particularly for high-precision simulation models for blast furnaces that enable cyber-physical systems (blast-furnace visualization) to be implemented at a higher level, with the aim of ensuring sustainably stable, efficient operations. In addition, going forward, the collaboration will accelerate the development of low-carbon, next-generation steelmaking processes that substantially reduce CO₂ emissions. The partnership will also contribute to sustainability in society by vitalizing research on steelmaking and fostering expert human resources for next-generation steelmaking.

JFE Steel and Tohoku University have conducted collaborative research leading to important achievements in other fields as well. Notably, earlier this year they co-authored a paper, Evaluation of Coke Degradation Effect on Flow Characteristics in Packed Bed Using 3D Scanning for Rotational Mechanical Strength Test and Solid-Liquid-Gas Three-Phase Dynamic Model Analysis, which received a paper award from the Iron and Steel Institute of Japan.

About JFE Steel Corporation

JFE Steel Corporation, one of the world’s leading integrated steel producers, was established through the consolidation of NKK Corporation and Kawasaki Steel Corporation in 2003. The company operates several steelworks in Japan and numerous branch offices and affiliates throughout the world. JFE Steel leverages world-class technologies and know-how to produce a wide range of products based on its “Only One, Number One” strategy of focusing on unique and best-in-class products. The company reported consolidated sales of 3,900 billion yen in 2018 and consolidated crude steel output of 27.88 million tons in the fiscal year ended March 2019.

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