Computer Control System for Reheating Furnace

Abstract The new developed computer control system of reheating furnace is described. This system has two purposes, one is to keep the required temperature level and temperature uniformity in a billet (quality control) and the other is to reduce the fuel consumption by avoiding over heating (energy saving). This control system is based on feed forward control and is composed of four models; (1) billet optimum temperature profile which is calculated in real time using a linear programing and to determine the minimize fuel consumption. (2) gas temperature prediction which is based on the heat balance equation and volumetric rule of combustion gas. (3) billet temperature prediction which is used difference equation. (4) furnace temperature reference. This control system has been in real operation at steel making plants. The accuracy of the billet temperature model is highly improved, which accomplished at least 10% energy saving from manual operation.