Generalized Thermodynamic Optimization for Iron and Steel Production Processes: Theoretical Exploration and Application Cases

Abstract

Abstract:Combining modern thermodynamics theory branches, including finite time thermodynamics or entropy generation minimization, constructal theory and entransy theory, with metallurgical process engineering, this paper provides a new exploration on generalized thermodynamic optimization theory for iron and steel production processes. The theoretical core is to thermodynamically optimize performances of elemental packages, working procedure modules, functional subsystems, and whole process of iron and steel production processes with real finite-resource and/or finite-size constraints with various irreversibilities toward saving energy, decreasing consumption, reducing emission and increasing yield, and to achieve the comprehensive coordination among the material flow, energy flow and environment of the hierarchical process systems. A series of application cases of the theory are reviewed. It can provide a new angle of view for the iron and steel production processes from thermodynamics, and can also provide some guidelines for other process industries.

Constructal design of flow channels for radiant cooling panels

“…cooling of electronics components [28][29][30][31][32][33][34], cooling of photovoltaic modules [35], thermal energy storage [36][37][38], iron and steel production processes [39], etc. are applications areas of Constructal design to mention a few in the domain of thermal design.…”

A Review of Mathematical Programming in Integrated Iron‐ and Steelmaking

“…Consequently, future research including efficiency measures or new process unit installations should be evaluated considering their systemic impact. A review concerned with a more general optimization definition by Chen et al published in 2016 draws a similar conclusion while focusing on unit operation optimization tasks not necessarily suited for mathematical programming application.…”

Constructal design associated with genetic algorithm to minimize the maximum deflection of thin stiffened steel plates

“…To theoretically prove the CD applicability for structural engineering problems, analogies among heat transfer, fluid mechanics, and mechanics of materials were presented in the studies of Bejan and Lorente, 24 Bejan et al, 25 Lorente et al, 26 and Isoldi et al 27 Other approaches that can be considered as related with problems concerned with mechanics of materials are the ones dedicated to the application of CD for optimization of iron and steel manufacturing process. [28][29][30][31] In addition, one can find studies employing CD exclusively to structural engineering problems for the geometric evaluation of perforated steel plates subjected to buckling [32][33][34][35][36][37][38] ; stiffened steel plates subjected to buckling 14,39 ; stiffened steel plates subjected to bending [40][41][42][43]54 ; and aircraft structures. 44,45 Therefore, the present study, by employing an approach that associates the CD method and GA, with the aid of FEM, seeks to find the optimized geometrical configuration that conducts the superior mechanical behavior of simply supported stiffened plates under transverse distributed loading, having the minimization of its maximum out-of-plane displacement as objective function.…”