Last week, our colleague Jan Menzler presented the IGF project ‘Coupled process chain modelling’ as part of the roadshow of the Kompetenzzentrum Energieeffizienz durch Digitalisierung (KEDi) in Oberhausen. The focus of the networking event was on efficiency potential in thermodynamic industrial processes.
After a welcome coffee, the event began with a presentation of the KEDi by its overall project manager Dr Andrea Gauselmann. This was followed by four short keynote speeches.
First, Natalja Kleiner from MDZ Klima.Neutral.Digital reported on the topic ‘From stumbling block to success — digitalisation and sustainability in SMEs’. This was followed by the keynote speech from NRW.Energy4Climate, represented by project manager Jill Zaluszkiewicz, which focussed on climate-neutral process heat.
Following a joint coffee break, Jan gave a presentation titled ‘Coupled process chain modelling — Automated linking of heterogeneous simulation models’. As part of the project, which has already been completed, a software platform was designed with which various process models from metal production and processing can be linked and executed. With the help of this approach, it should be possible to quickly identify process steps whose optimisation can lead to effective energy savings or quality improvements. A follow-up project in cooperation with other RWTH institutes is already being planned.
In the last keynote speech, Dr Guido Mittler, Head of Process Technology at Dirostahl GmbH, presented AI-supported capacity planning in heat treatment.The presentations were each concluded with an open discussion round in which questions could be asked.
The keynote speeches also provided a good basis for discussion at the subsequent networking lunch, where all participants had the opportunity to make new contacts in an open and friendly atmosphere and exchange more information about the topics and aspects presented.An accompanying exhibition also took place at the same time, where companies and research institutions were able to present themselves at small exhibition stands.
In the afternoon, an excursion to thyssenkrupp Steel Europe in Duisburg was offered as part of the KEDi Roadshow.
We would like to express our sincere thanks for the invitation to the KEDi Roadshow and look forward to having the opportunity to present topics at such a networking event again in the future.