AIST Steel Intern Scholarship
Patricia A. Vazquez-Garcia
During the summer of 2023, I had the opportunity to do an internship at Ternium México, Guerrero, N.L., Mexico, by developing a project about the control of oxidation/carburization (O/C) in a DC electric arc furnace, under the supervision of my tutor Leonardo Vázquez.
Throughout my project, I oversaw the chemistry of the electric arc furnace, through the supervision of casts and operational understanding. In addition, I documented each of the casts and analyzed the variables. Also, I supported with the correction and development of process-related transitional instruction documents to establish standardized processes to ensure the chemistry of the furnace, generating as an effect a higher productivity, better use of electric energy, protection of the furnace, efficiency, lower costs and times. I was also assigned the task of designing HRD power supply and power profiles for recipes used in the electric arc furnace process to ensure a good O/C balance in the DC electric arc furnace.
The experience of being in the process area is incredible, without a doubt, it is impressive the number of variables that steel production handles. I can assure that during my summer, I had the opportunity to develop different skills such as public speaking, solving problems that arose, but, above all, the initiative to ask about doubts or curiosities that I had.
I am grateful to Ternium México for giving me the opportunity to get to know the beautiful world of steel, as well as AIST for being the medium for this opportunity for both professional and personal growth. I also appreciate the willingness of my tutor to answer my questions, explaining and guiding me throughout the development of my project.
The experience has been rewarding, along the way I met people full of experience, passion, but above all with a desire to support. Undoubtedly, this experience has allowed me to get closer to the industrial world of steel, a world I look at with enthusiasm and affection.