Mikael Ersson

Metallic materials have shaped human development for thousands of years. Steel is one of the most important materials for maintaining the standards of modern society, which is clearly reflected in the amount of usable energy humanity spends to produce this material. Unfortunately, high energy consumption also results in large carbon dioxide emissions. A transition to fossil-free steel production is therefore crucial to preserving today’s societal standards and the climate.

My research focuses on the metallurgical processes needed to produce steel from ore or scrap. By focusing on new processes or process routes, as well as optimizing existing processes, my research contributes to the transition currently underway in the steel industry in the Nordic region and the EU. Since many of the processes used in the manufacturing chain are difficult to observe continuously, numerical models are often used to explore the reactions and kinetics involved. In many cases, these are models of high-temperature processes that involve multiple phases such as solid, gas, melt, and slag. Some examples of project focuses include melt dynamics of hydrogen-reduced pellets, reduction of processing time, post-combustion, process kinetics, fluid mechanics in casting systems, electromagnetic stirring, and plasma reduction.

Competence within companies is a decisive factor for a successful transition to a more sustainable society. I contribute to this competence development within the metal industry and have for many years been responsible for the Engineering program in Material's Design, as well as the Master's program in Engineering Materials Science at KTH.

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=NGjPKPwAAAAJ&hl=sv

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mikael_Ersson