Xu Huan, a student of Class of 2017 majoring in metallurgical engineering at the School of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, Chongqing University of Science and Technology, won the world champion of SteelChallenge-14, becoming the second winner coming from the University after five years. 

The SteelChallenge is the only global competition in the iron and steel industry where competitors can test their skills using the sophisticated online process simulations. It is organized by the World Steel Association and consists of regional and world championships. The competition covers one or more modules of blast furnace steelmaking, basic oxygen steelmaking, electric arc steelmaking, off-furnace refining, continuous casting, and hot rolling. Participants are required to complete the task within a stipulated time while being marked mainly by economic cost and product quality.

Five regional championships of this edition attracted 2,003 competitors from 57 countries, of which 680 came from China.

“The world championship lasted only two hours, and we had to complete the task within the shortest time using Steel University’s Electric Arc Furnace Steelmaking and Secondary Steelmaking simulators,” Xu said only the fastest and steadiest one could be the final winner. To achieve this, competitors should conduct many simulated tests to remember features of scrap steel and work out detailed recipe-preparing procedures. A great deal of practice is also necessary.