Informational, algorithmic, and programming support for solving Blast-Furnace optimization problems

Abstract

One requirement for solving problems encountered in the production of cast iron and pig iron is systematic study of the effects that the properties of the raw material have on its melting, the formation of primary and secondary slags with the necessary properties, and maintenance of the corresponding temperature regime. To solve problems related to optimization of the blast-furnace burden, we have developed a system of informational, algorithmic, and programming support. The key elements of the system are the following databases (DBs), which contain basic physico-chemical data and are part of the larger "Metallurgy" database: "Slag," "Metal," "Metal-Slag-Gas," "Iron-Bearing Materials." Information from the "Blast-Furnace Smelting" database is also used with the system.The "Slag" database consists of three blocks of bibliographic and factual information [ 1 ]: the first block includes keywords, designations, information on the system and the types of slags covered, and biliographic data; the second block includes characteristics of furnaces (heating equipment, working chamber, atmosphere, crucible, thermocouple), characteristics of samples (composition, charge preparation, homogenization, temperature variation), and methodological aspects (method of slag formation, sensors, calibration, errors); the third block includes factual material on the composition and properties of slags (fusibility, viscosity, surface tension, electrical conductivity, density, volatility of the components, etc.) in tabular form.The "Slag" database gives the chemical composition and designation of slags of almost all systems used in metallurgy, glassmaking, and geochemistry. The database is based on blast-furnace slags and slags that are similar to the latter in terms of properties and composition, as well as slags formed in open-hearth and converter steelmaking, refining slags, high-alumina and high-silicon slags, slags that contain fluorine, and slags formed in the production of titanium and ferroalloys. The database contains extensive information on synthetic slags for casting, glass lubricants, and protective coatings -including coatings obtained from natural minerals for use in the hot-shaping of metals. The data extends as far back as 1938, and the database provides information on 8250 compositions of slags. The "Slag" database is continually being enlarged and improved. It is currently in experimental use at the Institute of Ferrous Metallurgy (IChM), the Dneprodzerzhinsk Metallurgical Combine, and the West Siberian Metallurgical Combine.The "Metal" database was developed by analogy with the database that exists for oxide systems, and it contains data on the properties of metallic systems. The "Slag-Metal-Gas" database was developed to study the interaction of metallurgical systems during reducing and oxidizing heats and is also currently being enlarged.The "Iron-Bearing Materials" database contains information covering the last 30 years. The structure of the database is based on keywords, authors, source citations, abstracts and ab...