Simulation-based optimization methods for caster operation under time confliction condition in steelmaking plant

In steelmaking process, the process times of machines, such as LD Converter and Refinery etc. are often different with the process time of them in the schedule for the reason of Metallurgical Processes principle. When those process time change, caster operator must increase/decrease the speed of caster machine to prevent the shutdown of caster machine. At the same time, caster operator must also give the cooling water flow rates of cooling system according to the speed. Up to now, caster operator sets the speed and flow rates by personal experience manually. This paper present a simulation-based methods for caster operation under time confliction condition in steelmaking plant. Data experiments illustrate the efficiency of the simulation-based methods.