Research and Development
A collaborative approach, cross-fertilisation of better practices and technology absorption through integration of processes have led to measurable results in the Tata Steel Group’s performance in the direction of continuous improvement.
The Research & Development and Scientific Services Division (R&D and SS) supports the Tata Steel Group by developing new processes and products to create competitive advantages, better environmental performance and improved sustainability. Its three departments, Research & Development, Scientific Services and Refractory Technology Group, also offer numerous services to improve the cost, quality and environmental performance of the Company.
The Division consists of following units:
- Raw Materials and Coke Research Group
- Iron and Ferro Alloys Research Group
- Steel Making Research Group
- Products Research Group
- Coated Products Research Group
- Materials Characterisation and Joining Research Group
- Materials Modelling and Product Design Research Group
- Refractory Technology Group
- Scientific Services
Technology Advancements
With globalisation and an increasing scale of operations, technological self-reliance has become a necessity. Tata Steel with its plans for modernisation has ensured that it deploys the best technologies to facilitate quality, cost-efficiency and environment-friendly processes. Apart from its continuous endeavour to improve the quality and quantity of the steel produced, Tata Steel has, over the years, undertaken extensive research in making the process of steelmaking more energy efficient, economically viable and environmentally sustainable.
In the last few years, Tata Steel has taken a number of initiatives that would consolidate its position as a leader in select technologies. These include:
- Formalising the continuous improvement process under ASPIRE. The ASPIRE T 3 Knowledge Management Programme provides the required platform as more and more employees have been engaged in the process of knowledge creation and dissemination.
- Identifying key thrust areas of strategic technology development.
- A focus on the Intellectual Property Rights in Tata Steel.
Research and Development is carried out in the areas of raw materials, blast furnace productivity, steel making, product development, process improvement etc, keeping these operations in readiness for any challenge.
Raw Material Technology
Use of iron ore fines
Instead of using only lumps of iron ore, Tata Steel has adopted a combination of techniques for mining, beneficiation, sintering and pelletisation of ore, resulting in reduction in the generation of fines in the mines and increase in usage of the fines in Iron making..
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Iron Making Technology
Improving Blast Furnace Productivity
Reduction in the consumption of iron ore, coal and fluxes and the energy required for reducing each tonne of hot metal is at the core of technological research in iron making. To improve the productivity in the Blast Furnace process to over 3t /day/ m3 of furnace ...
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Steel Making Technology
Electric Arc Furnace (EAF)
The capital costs involved in EAF is lower as compared to BOF (Basic Oxygen Furnace). Modern EAF has features such as high transformer capacity, Oxygen lances, Oxy – fuel burners, coal injection system, bottom purge holes, water cooled boxes above the slag line, water cooled roof, EBT (eccentric bottom tap hole), Charge hoppers with vibrators etc. to improve productivity...
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