19. Computer System for Production Control of a Blast Furnace

Advances in modern science and technology are inherently connected with the development, implementation, and widespread use of computer systems based on mathematical modeling. Algorithms and computer systems are gaining practical significance solving a range of process tasks in metallurgy at manufacturing execution systems (MES) level (systems controlling industrial process) of modern automated information systems at the largest iron and steel enterprises in Russia. This fact leads to the necessity of developing information-modeling systems based on mathematical models that will take into account the physics of the process, the basics of heat and mass exchange, the laws of energy conservation, and also the peculiarities of the impact of technological and standard characteristics of raw materials on the manufacturing process data. Special attention in this set of operations for metallurgic production is devoted to blast furnace production, as it consumes the greatest amount of energy, up to 50% of the fuel used in ferrous metallurgy.

The paper deals with the requirements, structure, and architecture of BF Process Engineer’s Automated Workstation (AWS), a computer decision support system of MES level implemented in the industrial control system (ICS) of the Blast Furnace Plant at Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works. It presents a brief description of main model subsystems as well as assumptions made in the process of mathematical modeling. Application of the developed system allows the engineering and process staff to analyze online production situations in the blast furnace plant; to solve a number of process tasks related to control of heat, gas dynamics, and slag conditions of blast furnace smelting; and to calculate the optimal composition of blast furnace slag, which eventually results in increasing technical and economic performance of blast furnace production.