Decreased Sinter Process Variation at BlueScope Steel Using Real-Time Feed Composition

摘要

BlueScope Steel traditionally controlled sinter chemistry via a feedback SPC scheme utilizing four hourly x-ray fluorescence product chemistries. While stable sinter chemistry could be achieved with consistent bed blending, variations in practice or contamination often resulted in long periods of instability. To improve sinter chemical stability, a Thermo Fisher CB Omni Fusion on-line analyzer was installed to measure the sinter plant feed and to shorten the control loop. Limestone and manganese ore are now automatically adjusted using continuous proportional integral derivative control. This has halved sinter chemistry variability, optimized transitions across blended beds and yielded benefits downstream at the blast furnace.