Case Study: ArcelorMittal achieves optimized sinter cooler charging and reduced particle segregation with Altair® EDEM™

ArcelorMittal Optimized Sinter Cooler Charging System Using Altair Edem®

ArcelorMittal, the world’s leading steel and mining company, needed to optimize a large charging chute at its Fos‑Sur‑Mer sinter-cooler to reduce particle segregation, abrasion and mechanical failures. The R&D team engaged Altair and used Altair® EDEM™, a high‑performance discrete element method (DEM) simulator, to model granular flows and develop a computationally efficient strategy for analyzing the large-scale system.

Using Altair® EDEM™, ArcelorMittal calibrated DEM particle models, validated results against plant segregation measurements, and ran sensitivity studies that showed particle size had no effect while higher filling ratios produced more even trolley distribution. Altair’s EDEM enabled fast, scalable simulations that informed improved charging practices and a revised chute design, increasing sinter-cooler reliability and reducing segregation-related issues.

ArcelorMittal

Edouard Izard

Research and Development