Title

MELT EXPERT- A NEWLY DEVELOPED INDUSTRIE 4.0 BASED ELECTRODE CONTROL SYSTEM

Authorship

Sedivy, Christoph; Fennert, Mario; Hofmann, Sven; Krump, Richard; Koubek, Christian

Sedivy, Christoph

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Fennert, Mario

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Hofmann, Sven

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Krump, Richard

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Koubek, Christian

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DOI

10.5151/1982-9345-30206

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Abstract

Industrie 4.0 is slowly but surely arriving in the melt shops. Furnaces are being equipped with more and more sensors, digital models are increasing the degree of automation, and information is being shared between different aggregates within the plant. Because the electrode control system plays a key role in electric steelmaking, it naturally assumes an important position in the melt shop’s Industrie 4.0 strategy. In addition to reliable, state-of-the-art core regulation functionality, monitoring and reporting tools and the ability to communicate with other equipment are also required. Therefore, the latest generation of our electrode control system, the Melt Expert, was developed based on Industrie 4.0 design principles. Intelligent plant condition diagnostics, performance monitoring, and user-defined reporting are essential modules in this new system. With these functionalities, electrode control systems are developing into the information and control center of the furnace. A newly developed software app brings most relevant process information to mobile devices. This feature allows steelmakers to keep an eye on the performance of their equipment anytime and anywhere. This paper describes the new features of the electrode control system and shares our customers’ operational experience. Our focus is on the practical aspects of plant status monitoring, KPI reporting, and diagnostic functionality as well as the improvements achieved.

Keywords

Industrie 4.0, EAF, electrode control system, condition monitoring systems

Industrie 4.0, EAF, electrode control system, condition monitoring systems