Dynamic model based optimization control for reheating furnaces

This paper addresses the development of an advanced computer control strategy and its application to reheating furnaces. Based on the discrete state space reheating furnace model developed by the authors, a dynamic model based optimization strategy giving the optimal set points of the furnace zone temperatures and a relevant computer control system are proposed. The dynamic model based heuristic search algorithm is used to determine the optimal furnace zone temperature set points for minimal energy consumption under various operation conditions. Through more than one year's online running, the computer system shows that the proposed control system provides a considerable economic benefit through reducing the energy consumption and improving the quality of the heated slabs.