K1-MET participated in the 4th European Electric Steelmaking Conference (EEC 2026).

Erwin K. Reichel (K1-MET) gave a presentation on “Stability Enhancement of DC Arcs in Reducing Argon-Hydrogen Atmospheres via Current Regulation”. Co-authors are Cameron Quick (K1-MET), Michael A. Zarl (K1-MET), Thomas Voglhuber-Brunnmaier (JKU Linz), Lukas Ecker (JKU Linz) and Simon Schneiderbauer (JKU Linz).

Erwin presented progress made in the projects Lightbow, PlasmArc4Green, and SuSteel (follow-up) on the modeling of the Hydrogen Plasma Smelting Reduction (HPSR) process. HPSR is a potentially zero-emission route to liquid iron to be used in sustainable steelmaking. Hydrogen is ionised in an electric arc to reduce iron ore in the melted stage. Detailed understanding and control of the arc dynamics is crucial to increase hydrogen utilisation and energy efficiency – key parameters to enable the next up-scaling steps.

In addition, Daniel Kavic (K1-MET) contributed as co-author to the presentation “Mathematical Modelling of Slag Phase Composition during the EAF Process in Stainless Steelmaking” by Ville-Valtteri Visuri (University of Oulu). Further co-authors are Ilpo Maekelae (University of Oulu) and Matti Aula (Outokumpu Stainless Oy).