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SINTEF Industry Metal Production and Processing

RESEARCH, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION

Norwegian Aluminium and ferroalloys industries are today the cleanest and most energy-efficient in the world, resulting from a long tradition for continuous innovation, where SINTEF has played an important role.Our research comprises the whole value-chain, from the extraction of minerals from the crust of the earth, through the production of metals and materials to the application and behavior of materials and end products. Recycling, urban mining and process waste valorization are important part of our activities.

Nina Dahl
Research Director
415 47 918

Expertise

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Aluminium

Biorefinery

Business economics

Casting and forming

Catalysis

Chemical engineering unit operations and process plants

Corrosion and Tribology

Data science

Decision support systems

Emissions and Environment

Ferroalloys

Functional metagenomics and enzyme technology

High temperature materials

Industrial Biotechnology - Efficient strains and processes

Iron and steel

Mass spectrometry and separation science in Biotechnology

Metallurgy

Minerals and raw materials

Mooring, Dynamic Positioning and Operations

Oil and gas conversion technology

Optimization

Plastics, rubbers and composites

Primary metals production

Process and flow technology

Process modelling

Reliability of safety critical equipment

Safety case

Silicon

Simulation tools for additive manufacturing (AM)

Solar cells

Thermoelectric materials for sensors, cooling and utilizing waste heat

Urban mining

Laboratories

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Process Metallurgical Laboratories

Modern production of high quality metallic materials requires advanced knowledge of pyro-metallurgical processes. SINTEF optimises metallurgical processes and raw materials, using a combination of laboratory scale and pilot scale experimental techniques, combined with thermochemical modelling.

Molten Salt and Electrolysis Lab

Molten salts includes fluorides, chlorides and carbonates melts for use in several electrochemical processes. Aluminium electrolysis is the predominant field of work but also electrowinning of Titanium, Iron, Magnesium, Silicon and Rare Earth Metals (REM) covers our research activities. Recently our research activity also cover recycling and electro refining of critical materials (REE elements mainly). Liquid metal battery for future storage of renewable energy is another field of research.

Refractories and Carbon Test Laboratories

High temperature materials are commonly defined based on their maximum application temperature with respect to the materials melting temperature, which strongly depends on the applied stress-level and the resistance to corrosive environments. Our expertise cover in special refractories, linings and carbon based materials for the primary aluminium cells, cast furnaces, anode baking furnaces, waste incinerators, silicon – and ferro-alloy reduction process.

Foundry and Forming laboratory

In our fully equipped foundry laboratory we work with casting and melt treatment of metals such as aluminium, iron, steel, titanium, magnesium and copper based alloys. We design and produce models for shaped castings, and have a moulding line and a core shooter to produce sand moulds. In addition, we have the possibility to do advanced modelling to optimize gating and feeding systems.
All laboratories

Projects

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BioCoke4FAI - Bio-Coke for Ferroalloys Industry Production

22 January 2021

The BioCoke4FAI project aims to develop an innovative and economically viable technology for bio-coke production for the ferroalloys industry.

Study of the potential for reduced greenhouse gas emissions and the transition to a low-emission society through circular economy strategies

10 August 2020

In this study SINTEF has focuses on circular economic opportunities that are expected to have a large potential for reducing the climate gas emissions associated with Norwegian consumption and production. Over a dozen circular strategies were selected and analysed as case studies with both the consumer perspective and the industry perspectives and their potential impact on reduction of green house gas emissions investigated. The study found that implementing the studied strategies could have a significant effect on reducing Norwegian greenhouse gas emissions, both within Norway and outside of Norway as Norwegian consumption is heavily dependent on global production and supply chains.

Alpakka - Circular Aluminium Packaging in Norway

06 May 2019

Aluminium is extensively used in food packaging because it provides a unique durability. Longer durability leads to less food wastage.  The challenge is to make sure that the aluminium packaging is reclaimed and goes back into the circuit. The main objective of the Alpakka project is to establish a Norwegian flagship demonstrator for Circular Economy in practice, which will increase the aluminium packaging circularity in Norway byvalue-chain cooperation between collectors, food producers/packaging designers and aluminiumrecyclers as well as through engaging the consumers.
All projects

News

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A university place was her ticket to escape inequality

28 February 2019

Annah (26) from South Africa, currently working at SINTEF, is a living piece of the jigsaw that lies behind a new peace prize award.

In the future, our houses will have built-in solar cells

28 June 2018

A new EU project will provide greener cities through cheaper and simpler solar cell systems.

Scientists: - Gas will make metal production greener

19 September 2017

The Norwegian metal industry must incorporate gas into its processes, if the industry is to reach its target of zero emissions by 2050, scientists at SINTEF and NTNU claim.
All news