MILP-based optimization of oxygen distribution system in integrated steel mills

Simultaneous multiperiod optimization is conducted for minimizing the oxygen emission of an oxygen-distribution system, based on the generalized MILP-based model, which covers various configurations of the captive oxygen factory in integrated steel mills. By simultaneously optimizing all of the variables, such as the load of air separation units (ASU), the on-off states of compressors, the load of liquefiers, etc., the model can promptly provide mill managers with responsive solutions for adjusting the variables involved on the supply-side to minimize oxygen emission. The case study in this paper shows that the proposed model performs well in minimizing oxygen emission, and provides a global optimization result covering the entire planning horizon. Moreover, based on the proposed model, the emission amounts can be rapidly and readily calculated for various scheduling scenarios of ASU maintenance, which is helpful to the manager seeking to optimally schedule ASU maintenance in time.