AUTOMATIC CONTROL DEVELOPMENT FOR THE FALCONDO FERRONICKEL ELECTRIC ARC SMELTING FURNACES

This paper describes early experiences in a project to improve the controlled operations of a Ferronickel electric arc smelting furnace. The initial intent was to use multivariate analysis techniques to investigate the performance of the furnace, to gain greater process understanding and to identify process abnormalities reliably. However, the multivariate studies emphasised that the furnace was in a state of continuous disturbance because of the way that the Calcine feed was being managed by the process operators. Therefore an improved basis for managing the feed has been proposed and is presently in a test period. This new strategy seeks to maintain steady feed conditions in relation to power, rather than employing varying feed to manage temperature excursions. Once this new strategy is embedded, the multivariate investigative work will continue with a view to establishing an advisory system to assist process operators in their hour to hour management of the furnace.