From scientific research to practice at the forefront of European metallurgy. Metinvest Polytechnic postgraduate student Igor Navolnev visited a steel plant in Luxembourg, where modern solutions are being implemented: from decarbonization to full robotization without stopping production. This visit to SARRALLE company became an important part of his scientific work and gave not only new knowledge, but also an understanding of how such approaches can be implemented at Ukrainian enterprises.
– Igor, tell us about your professional path and how you became a part of Metinvest Polytechnic.
– I have been working at Metinvest Group for more than 18 years and all this time my activities have been related to production. Despite the fact that I do not directly participate in production processes, identifying and minimizing risks in them is exactly my profile.
At one time, I was involved in the process of creating Metinvest Polytechnic. Therefore, when the first admission to the master's program was announced, I did not have any hesitation about admission. The chosen direction – "Innovative technologies and environmental protection systems" – was, in my opinion, the most relevant at that time.
Joint work with teachers of the Polytechnic, in particular with Natalia Maksymova, on the study of the impact of human activity on the environment, namely man-made factors of production, and writing a master's thesis on the topic: "Promising directions of development of the metallurgical industry in the field of reducing greenhouse gas emissions" is certainly an inspiring experience for my further activities.
After completing my master's degree, my next step was to enter graduate school in the field of "Metallurgy». That's how I met Volodymyr Kukhar, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor, Vice-Rector for Research at Metinvest Polytechnic, who supported my ideas and became my scientific supervisor. This, figuratively speaking, "chain of events" led me to study the topic of improving the quality of iron ore raw materials for metallurgical production.
The company management offered even more than I expected – to visit the SARRALLE production site at one of the steel mills in Luxembourg.
– Please tell us about the purpose and format of the visit to the company in Luxembourg. What exactly did you see there, what processes did you study?
– Volodymyr Valentinovich and I came to the conclusion that a practical review of modern directions in the development of world metallurgy helps to understand the trends in the proposals of manufacturers of metallurgical equipment for further use and possible adjustment of our own work.
For the study, I chose the Spanish company SARRALLE, one of the world and regional leaders in manufacturers of modern metallurgical equipment. This company designs, manufactures and supplies complete turnkey solutions for steel mills around the world. At my request, the company management offered even more than I expected - a visit to the SARRALLE production site at one of the steel mills in Luxembourg.
– What impressed you the most?
– At the enterprise in the centre of Europe, SARRALLE is implementing a project within the framework of the EU program for the decarbonization of ferrous metallurgy in Western European countries - France, Germany, Spain.
This project includes, in particular, the construction of a new vacuum cleaner, the replacement of a 120-ton DC electric arc furnace with a capacity of more modern ones, the replacement of the first stage of gas cleaning, the modernization of the continuous casting machine, as well as the upgrade of the system for supplying bulk materials to the furnace, including the use of HBI raw materials.
The implementation of these and additional measures will make it possible to modernize and update the existing production of the electric steelmaking shop, expand the range of steels at the expense of a vacuum cleaner, as well as introduce the "No man at the field" technology, i.e. create 100% robotization of the production process.
− What else is worth noting?
− Despite strict environmental requirements and standards and high social guarantees for employees in Luxembourg, this company is the second most profitable company in its group in the world.
The installation and commissioning of the equipment that SARRALLE engineers install according to the project takes place in parallel with the production process, that is, the production facilities do not stop. Production is stopped only once a week for scheduled preventive maintenance - and it is at this time that it is necessary to have time to "install" the prepared new unit or unit into the production chain.
This is very motivating to continue scientific activities.
− What conclusions did you draw for yourself after this experience?
− It was a truly exceptional experience that can only be obtained as a result of such a practical trip. Thanks to this, many interesting aspects of modern trends in the metallurgical complex are learned, which we would like not only to talk about, but also to implement at the enterprises of Metinvest Group.
In fact, postgraduate studies are a complex process that takes a lot of time, including personal time, but at the same time is very exciting. When you get even a small practical result, it is very motivating to continue scientific activities.
