Work Package 1: Project management & coordination

WP1 ensures the efficient, timely and compliant implementation of the superProDR project in accordance with the Grant Agreement and Consortium Agreement. It covers project coordination, progress monitoring, risk management and financial controlling. In parallel, WP1 ensures structured dissemination and communication of project results to relevant industrial, scientific and public stakeholders, supporting visibility, knowledge transfer and uptake of results throughout the project duration.

Work Package 2: Optimising the raw material preparation of the DR process by development of new coatings

WP2 focuses on overcoming sticking-related productivity limitations at the material level by developing and validating tailor-made pellet coating concepts for high-temperature and high-productivity DR operation (KER3). The work package combines thermochemical modelling, coating formulation and deposition, and advanced laboratory-scale testing to generate reliable experimental data on sticking behaviour under relevant DR conditions (KER2). In addition, WP2 develops improved and more realistic standardised test procedures to quantify sticking risks (KER1), forming the experimental basis for subsequent modelling and tool development.

Work Package 3: In-dept analysis of the interrelations between sticking and solids descend with the gas flow in the DR process

WP3 investigates the interaction between sticking, solid flow and gas flow in DR shaft furnaces across laboratory, demonstration and numerical scales. Physical cold-flow trials and advanced DEM–CFD simulations are combined to quantify how sticked pellets and agglomerates affect permeability; pressure drop and solids descent. The results are transferred into validated multiscale simulation models capable of calculating spatial sticking risk and its impact on productivity under industrially relevant conditions (KER4).

Work Package 4: Development and Dissemination of process guidance tools and recommendations to continuously operate the DR process at superior productivity

WP4 translates the experimental and modelling results into practical tools and recommendations enabling stable, high-productivity DR operation. This includes the development of an online spatial sticking risk assessment tool, advanced measurement concepts for early sticking recognition, and operator-oriented process guidance and recommendations (KER5). In addition, WP4 supports exploitation by evaluating application scenarios, defining operational windows and preparing the transfer of superProDR results towards industrial implementation.