Per: Alessandro torres de carvalho (USIMINAS - IPATINGA), Gustavo Henrique Pinto De Oliveira (USIMINAS), Alexandre Alves Barbosa (USIMINAS), Pedro Sampaio Cotta (USIMINAS)
Abstract:
The ironmaking process is extremely complex, as it involves an extensive set of variables and controls, ranging from the quality of the raw material, inner conditions and reactions inside the blast furnace, operating conditions, up to the level of operator capacity. Control and simulation models are consolidated tools for process control. But, to achieve a high level of performance in hot metal quality, operational stability and cost reduction, expert systems have been used as decision support tools for operators. This work presents the implementation of the Expert System, integrated with the Level 2 System, provided by Primetals Technologies in the Revampig of the Usiminas’ Blast Furnace#03, consisting of process models, rules, diagnoses and explanations of process evaluations, with open or closed loop control. Usiminas’ operational philosophy was added to the system on a rules basis, complementing the general metallurgical knowledge base of the application, which allows standardized operation and preventive action in the process, with a consequent gain in stability and gradual reduction in fuel rate.