Outlook for the next generation steelmaking research Part 1. Recent development of refining process and target of research in Japan

摘要

The present paper outlines the main refining technologies developed recently in Japan and surveys the directions in which research is to be pursued in the future. Recent trends in Japanese refining technologies are toward the optimization of total process for the stable mass production of superclean steel and the restructuring of existing processes so as to meet environmental problems. The greatest problems are the further optimization and simplification of a total process under the mass super-clean steel production system and the construction of a total system in which production is environmentally sound in consideration of the effective recycling of scrap, slag and dust. For these problems, the establishment of sophisticated refining control by combining the dynamic reaction prediction model created based on the results of the fundamental research undertaken from the mesoscopic standpoint with the high-accuracy measuring technology by sensors is very important.