Researchers in West Virginia University’s Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering are achieving promising results in a project aimed at developing corrosion-resistant materials for containers and hardware used in molten metal processing.
The project, which got under way in 2004 with a $2.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Industrial Technology Program, is currently featured on the program’s website atwww.eere.energy.gov/industry/resources/ebulletin.
Ever Barbero, chair of mechanical and aerospace engineering, is the principal investigator on the project. Other WVU faculty involved in the research are Xingbo Liu and Bruce Kang, faculty members in mechanical and aerospace engineering; Gopala Bhaskaran, professor of industrial and management systems engineering; and Carl Irwin, director of Industries of the Future-West Virginia.
�€?Corrosion and wear is a serious problem in the metal containers and hardware used in molten metal processing,�€? said Dr. Barbero. �€?It causes contamination, downtime for repairs, and loss of product quality. Our goal is to extend the life of hardware and containers used in metal processing through the development of improved materials, leading to significant energy and production benefits.�€?
The project’s results so far are very promising, he noted. Newly developed steel overlay is functioning well with little corrosion evident.
New rolls are scheduled to be installed soon for testing in an industrial-production steel-coating line. Researchers estimate that the new materials developed through this project will yield a total energy savings of more than 2.2 trillion BTUs per year in the coated steel industry.
�€?This project will directly benefit several industries in West Virginia ,�€? said Barbero, �€?including the steel and steel coatings industries, specialty metals, metal casting, aluminum and other related industries.�€?
Major partners in the project include the Oak Ridge National Lab, the University of Missouri Rolla , Energy Industries of Ohio, the International Lead Zinc Research Organization, and SECAT , Inc. A complete list of partners and more information about the project is online atwww.iofwv.nrcce.wvu.edu/crosscut/docs/16943_metallic_and_refrac.pdf
The DOE ’s Industrial Technologies Program works with U.S. industry to improve industrial energy efficiency and environmental performance. The program invests in high-risk, high-value research and development to reduce industrial energy use while stimulating productivity and growth.