Modern controller improves environmental impact of steel production

Predictive temperature controller curbs energy consumption and CO2 emissions in the steel industry: Mechatronics Award granted to Andreas Steinboeck. It is the heat that counts - anybody who has ever done a cake knows that. In furnaces used by the steel industry, the temperature plays also an important role. It is a significant cost driver and it is crucial for the product quality. One of these furnaces can consume as much energy as thousands of households. Andreas Steinboeck from Vienna University of Technology developed a temperature controller for steel furnaces, which reduces both energy consumption and CO2 emissions. For his PhD dissertation, he now received the Mechatronic Award 2011.