Department for Industrial Furnaces and Heat Engineering (IOB)
Contrary to what one might expect, there are significantly more big computers than furnaces at IOB. At Professor Pfeifer’s institute metallurgical processes are simulated with the help of computers. Firstly, it is fast and cost-effective, and secondly, hot molten baths and process gases are extremely difficult to investigate. With the simulation programmes, three dimensional flow structures (velocity, temperature, pressure) and chemical reactions in the furnace and plant can be simultaneously calculated on the basis of mathematical models. In the laboratories, there are model furnaces and plants by which flow and mixing processes are researched, studied experimentally with the most modern laser measurement techniques.
The focus of research at the Institute of Industrial Furnaces and Heat Engineering is the investigation of thermal and fluidic processes. It is divided into three work groups: 1. Energy and Materials Balances of Metallurgical Processes (for example, arc furnace), 2. Flows in Metallurgical Melts (for example, continuous casting installation), 3. Industrial Furnace Technology (for example, furnaces for the car supply industry).
The Institute works closely with industrial furnace and plant builders, and also with steel plants from all over Germany in order to provide the best training for students and scientists. This direct contact with the industry partners also creates a smooth transition to working life.