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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number EP/J016926/1
Title New Generation Low Carbon Refractory Composites Based on Graphite-Exfoliation
Status Completed
Energy Categories Not Energy Related 80%;
Energy Efficiency(Industry) 20%;
Research Types Basic and strategic applied research 100%
Science and Technology Fields PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Metallurgy and Materials) 100%
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation Not Cross-cutting 100%
Principal Investigator Professor S Zhang
No email address given
Engineering Computer Science and Maths
University of Exeter
Award Type Standard
Funding Source EPSRC
Start Date 01 September 2012
End Date 29 February 2016
Duration 42 months
Total Grant Value £617,433
Industrial Sectors Manufacturing
Region South West
Programme NC : Engineering
 
Investigators Principal Investigator Professor S Zhang , Engineering Computer Science and Maths, University of Exeter (99.998%)
  Other Investigator Professor Y Zhu , Engineering Computer Science and Maths, University of Exeter (0.001%)
Dr RJ Hand , Engineering Materials, University of Sheffield (0.001%)
  Industrial Collaborator Project Contact , Okayama Ceramics Research Foundation, Japan (0.000%)
Project Contact , Vesuvius UK (0.000%)
Web Site
Objectives
Abstract Carbon-containing refractory bricks (CCRBs) are one of the most important materials for the iron and steel industry worldwide. One modern steel-making company alone needs to spend over 200M/annum on refractories of which 70-80% are CCRBs. However, current commercial CCRBs contain high level of carbon (>25%C), causing several serious problems, including great heat loss, temperature drop of the molten steel, deformation of steel shells of steelmaking furnaces, nozzle clogging, carbon pickup, emission of green house gases and unnecessary use of excessive amounts of expensive graphite. To overcome these problems, the carbon content in CCRBs has to be reduced to an appropriately low level (ideally <3%C), i.e., the so-called low carbon carbon-containing refractories (LCCRs) have to be developed. In this programme, a simple, straightforward yet novel concept was put forward to develop LCCRs. Based on the proposed technique, the effective surface area of graphitic carbon to cover the oxide grains could be exponentially increased. Consequently, the carbon content could be substantially reduced without compromising properties and performance of the refractory. This programme, in addition to its academic significance, will greatly benefit many important industries, in particular the refractory and steel industries by providing high quality "greener" refractory materials at lower-cost
Publications (none)
Final Report (none)
Added to Database 10/07/12