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Many different, and often competing, factors determine successful blast furnace operation. The complex interrelationships can be divided into workable areas for process modelling. A process automation package which combines the application of several models has been devised and is now in operation in Austria and South Africa.
Blast furnace hot metal production costs are determined by the following factors:
* Productivity;
* Fuel consumption;
* Selection of raw materials;
* Hot metal quality.
Because these factors have an inverse effect upon each other, improvements in one area generally mean less favourable results in the other areas. Existing blast furnace equipment and operational know-how also play an important role in defining production strategy. It is only through the application of an optimised automation system that maximum potential for cost savings in blast furnace operation can be Process achieved.
The VAI blast furnace process automation solution has been developed to allow for simultaneous cost reductions and/or improvements in all of the above four areas, ie higher blast furnace productivity, lower fuel consumption, lower raw material costs and improved hot metal quality.
This solution comprises all processrelated, physical, chemical, and mathematical functions, as well as incorporating specialised features such as a kinetic online simulation model and an expert system. The system was developed in close cooperation with the blast furnace division of Voest-Alpine Stahl Linz on the basis of existing models and operational know-how. The availability of new techniques in respect to process models, artificial intelligence, enhanced software applications in combination with graphical user interfaces made possible the realisation of an advanced and effective system for blast furnace operation. The system can be adapted to the specific requirements of the individual producer.
UP AND RUNNING
This new BF process automation system has been operating at blast furnace 'A' of the Linz iron and steel works of VoestAlpine Stahl. In 1996 the package was commissioned at blast furnaces C and D of Iscor Vanderbijlpark Works, South Africa. In June 1996 another contract was signed for installation at the new blast furnace of Eko, Germany, which will be the most modern blast furnace in Europe upon completion. The entire package will be installed in January 1997, only six months after contract signing. The latest order for the automation system...