In March, the research project STARS was launched. Over a three-year period, it aims to explore how steel mill slag can be used as a raw material for high-value products in solar thermal applications.
The project is led by the German Aerospace Center (DLR). Other partners include thyssenkrupp MillServices & Systems GmbH and LWK-PlasmaCeramic GmbH. The Fraunhofer Institute UMSICHT is responsible for the ecological assessment of the products and processes developed. Funding is provided by the European Union and the Ministry for Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Action and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Contribution to a Green Circular Economy
STARS stands for "Solar Thermal Applications for Secondary Raw Materials from Steel Production." The project aims to utilize steel mill slag as a secondary raw material for ceramic components and thermal storage materials in concentrated solar thermal (CST) systems. These CST systems use mirrors and specialized carrier materials to efficiently convert solar energy into heat. Besides energy efficiency, factors such as consistent quality, durability, recyclability, and high-temperature resistance of the components are key.
Processing and Evaluation of the Slag
As part of the project, steel slag is processed into particles for thermal energy storage, ceramic coatings, and other components for solar thermal processes. thyssenkrupp MillServices & Systems GmbH handles slag preparation. The DLR and LWK-PlasmaCeramic GmbH then process it through granulation, droplet formation, sintering, and plasma coating into innovative products. The DLR evaluates the technical properties of these products, while the Fraunhofer Institute UMSICHT conducts early-stage ecological assessments of the manufacturing processes and components.
