2024-09-18 –, Brussels Hall
RHI Magnesita is dedicated to advancing sustainability and fostering a circular economy within the refractory industry. However, the diverse range of products used in custom linings presents significant challenges. Notably, we are focusing on increasing the recycling rate of magnesia carbon (MgO-C) bricks, which are extensively used in the steel industry. One well known challenge for this type of refractory product is the reuse of magnesia carbon recycling containing antioxidants, especially aluminium metal, due to the formation of aluminium carbide. This article will provide a comprehensive understanding of the existing issues regarding its detection and treatment, and will introduce innovative, custom-made solutions to overcome these obstacles. Furthermore, it will discuss how the automated sensor-based sorting solution developed within the EU-funded project ReSoURCE project is contributing to strengthening the circular economy of magnesia carbon and innovating the entire process chain of refractory recycling.
Stefan Heid is a graduate engineer in material sciences for non-metallic inorganic materials with a specialization in glass, ceramics, and binders (TU Clausthal/Germany). Since 2006, he has been working at the Technology Centre of RHI Magnesita in Leoben, Austria. He started as a project manager in the R&D department for basic refractory bricks, focusing on the development of new binding systems for magnesia carbon bricks. Since 2009, he has also gained extensive expertise in the field of recycling raw materials and technologies. In 2014, he moved to the Pioneer Research department, where he is the responsible project manager for various strategic and fundamental projects in the development of new binding systems and the development and introduction of new recycling technologies.