Green Metallurgy and High-Temperature Process Control: Innovations in Sustainable Techniques
A special issue of Metals (ISSN 2075-4701).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 October 2026 | Viewed by 1477
Special Issue Editors
Interests: physicochemical properties of slag systems; control of high-temperature metallurgical processes; resource utilization of solid waste
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
In the face of escalating global demands for sustainability and industrial efficiency, the metallurgical sector is undergoing a profound transformation. The core challenges lie not only in the materials themselves but, crucially, in the processes through which they are produced and shaped. The precise, intelligent, and environmentally conscious control of high-temperature processes is now recognized as the key enabler for Green Metallurgy—a paradigm shift towards resource-efficient, low-emission, and economically viable production. This Special Issue, titled “Green Metallurgy and High-Temperature Process Control: Innovations in Sustainable Techniques,” aims to capture the forefront of this transition. We move beyond a focus on material properties to delve into the process innovations, control strategies, and systemic methodologies that make sustainable metallurgy a reality. The goal is to compile a collection of high-impact contributions that address the “how”—how to achieve superior process outcomes with minimized environmental footprint.
Submission Information:
We invite original research, reviews, and case studies that revolve around, but are not limited to, the following process-centric themes:
Sustainable High-Temperature Process Design & Optimization: Novel furnace designs, energy recovery systems, and process intensification methods aimed at reducing specific energy consumption, emissions (e.g., CO2, NOx, SOx), and waste generation (e.g., slag valorization) in pyrometallurgical operations.
Advanced Control and Digitalization for Process Efficiency: Implementation of smart sensors, data-driven modeling, machine learning, and real-time control systems for the precise and autonomous regulation of temperature, atmosphere, chemistry, and mass flow in complex metallurgical reactors (e.g., blast furnaces, converters, casting lines).
Fundamental Thermodynamics and Kinetics for Process Innovation: Applications of advanced thermodynamic databases, and kinetic modeling to design greener process routes, predict and control phase formations, and optimize the use of alternative feedstocks or reductants.
Innovative Process Technologies for Circularity: Development and scale-up of processes for efficient recycling of metal-bearing wastes (e.g., EAF dusts, sludges), in-line treatment of off-gases, and the integration of green hydrogen or other sustainable energy vectors into primary and secondary metal production flowsheets.
Process Integration and Lifecycle Thinking: Systems-level analysis of metallurgical plants, focusing on heat integration, by-product synergies (industrial symbiosis), and holistic assessments (e.g., exergy analysis, LCA) to guide the development of inherently greener metallurgical process chains.
We welcome contributions that demonstrate significant novelty in process technology, control methodology, or system-level integration. Papers should clearly articulate how the proposed innovation contributes to the core tenets of Green Metallurgy: enhanced process efficiency, reduced environmental impact, and improved economic sustainability.
Dr. Jinfa Liao
Dr. Dianyu E
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Metals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- green metallurgy
- high-temperature process control
- sustainable process technology
- process intensification
- digitalization and modeling
- energy efficiency
- circular metallurgy
- process optimization
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