Energy-Use Modeling of the Iron and Steel Industry

摘要

A dynamic process optimization model is presented for the iron and steel industry. Energy-use projections are made for a variety of future energy prices. Energy intensities (Btu/ton) are predicted to decrease by as much as 36% by the turn of the century. For modeling purposes, the iron and steel industry is split into two subindustries. The first is the large vertically integrated steel mills concentrated in the Midwest and Northeast. The second is the more geographically dispersed smaller mini-mills that rely primarily on regional scrap steel input to their electric arc furnaces. The model explicitly accounts for the two subindustries and allows them to compete for producing the required final demands. (ERA citation 03:048186)