Optimization of a slab heating pattern for minimum energy consumption in a walking-beam type reheating furnace. (25th June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jang, Jiin-Yuh; Huang, Jun-Bo
• Is Part Of: Applied thermal engineering. Volume 85(2015:Jun.)
• Page Start: 313
• Page End: 321
• Publication Date: 2015-06-25
• Subjects: Reheating furnace -- Optimal design -- Simplified conjugated-gradient method -- Energy consumption; Heat engineering -- Periodicals; Heating -- Equipment and supplies -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 621.40205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2015.04.029
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-4311

Abstract

Abstract: A two-dimensional mathematical heat transfer model for the prediction of the temperature history of steel slabs was performed in order to obtain the optimal heating pattern of these slabs with minimum energy consumption in a walking-beam type reheating furnace. An algorithm developed with a simplified conjugated-gradient method combined with a shooting method, was used as an optimizer to design the furnace temperature distribution, including the preheating zone, heating zone and soaking zone temperatures. Comparison with the in-situ experimental data indicated that the present heat transfer model works well for the prediction of the thermal behavior of a slab in the reheating furnace. The effect of the furnace temperature distribution on the design requirements, such as energy required for heating a slab, slab temperature uniformity at the furnace exit and slab discharging temperature, were investigated. The parametric study results indicated that energy consumption significantly decreases with reductions in the preheating zone temperature. The optimal design also resulted in lower energy consumption for heating a slab as compared to the original operational conditions in the steel plant. Highlights: The heating process of steel slabs in a reheating furnace is numerically simulated. An algorithm is developed to search for the optimal heating pattern of a slab. Energy consumption decreases with reductions in the preheating zone temperature.