Optimisation of a slab heating pattern with various skid button heights in a walking-beam-type reheating furnace

Abstract

A three-dimensional heat transfer model considering various skid button heights for the prediction of the temperature history of steel slabs was performed in order to obtain the optimal heating pattern of these slabs with minimum energy consumption in a walking-beam type reheating furnace. An algorithm was developed using a simplified conjugated-gradient method combined with a shooting method and was used as an optimiser to design the furnace temperature distribution. The effect of the skid button heights on the design requirements, such as the energy consumption necessary for heating a slab, skid-mark temperature uniformity at the furnace exit and slab discharging temperature, was investigated. The parametric study results indicated that the skidmark temperatures significantly decrease with increases in the skid button heights. In addition, the optimal designs suggested lower energy consumption for heating a slab and improved skid-mark temperature uniformity as compared to the original operating conditions in a steel plant.

Heating Models Using Artificial Intelligence

“…The algorithm developed by the simplified conjugate-gradient method (SCGM) combined with the shooting method was used as an optimiser to design the temperature distribution of the furnace, including the temperature of the preheating zone and the heating zone. Comparison with experimental data showed that the current heat transfer model works well to predict the plate's thermal behaviour in the heating furnace [2].…”

Effects of Furnace Length on the Thermal Performance of a Walking Beam Reheating Furnace

“…KIM JG et al [5,6] conducted steady-state calculations on the turbulent and radiative heat transfer in a heating furnace and analyzed the factors affecting the heat transfer of steel billets; HARRISH J et al [7,8] studied the temperature distribution of steel billets in different areas of a heating furnace; CUI M et al [9] established a modified mathematical model to study the factors affecting the total heat transfer coefficient over the length of a heating furnace; JANG J Y et al [10][11][12] used optimization algorithms to obtain the optimal heating method for steel billets, reducing energy consumption and improving the temperature uniformity of the billets; TANG G W et al [13,14] compared the steel billet results obtained from three-dimensional and two-dimensional simulations of a heating furnace and verified the feasibility of the two methods; Wang Zisong et al [15][16][17] established a fully coupled three-dimensional model of a walking beam heating furnace and analyzed the factors affecting the temperature distribution of steel billets; WANG J Y et al [18,19] established a heat transfer model for an I-beam walking beam heating furnace and studied the heating process of the I-beam in the furnace; and LI PJ et al [20] studied the effects of rotational conditions, tooth slot temperature and steel pipe size on the temperature uniformity of steel pipes by establishing conduction and radiative heat transfer models between steel pipes, tooth slots, furnace gas and furnace walls. However, the influence of structural parameters is seldom reported in the literature, especially the effect of a water-cooled beam on the heat balance of a furnace.…”