Synergic Combination of Hardware and Software Innovations for Energy Efficiency and Process Control Improvement: A Steel Industry Application

The present paper proposes a steel industry case study focused on reheating furnace and rolling mill. Hardware software innovations were successfully combined in order to obtain process control energy efficiency improvement. at is pusher type processes billets. hardware innovation related the installation of an insulated tunnel end furnace, guarantee higher heat retention billets before their path along mill stands. refers design Advanced Process Control system which manipulates gas flow rate stoichiometric ratio zones satisfy specifications variables. based Model Predictive strategy virtual sensor tracks estimates billet features inside/outside furnace. designed controller was commissioned real plant, providing significant performances terms service factor, control, efficiency.