A dual-station automatic feeding control method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dual-station automatic feeding control method. In a single-station feeding mode, the feeding operation is matched accordingly based on the division of production stages. The feeding operation includes: screening available silos based on the raw material family of the corresponding production stage, and selecting a high-level silo that can supply materials to the station from the available silos; determining the feeding set value for the round of feeding operation, and generating feeding instructions accordingly, with each feeding instruction being executed in sequence by a central control machine; in the dual-station feeding mode, the central control machine coordinates the execution of the feeding instructions of the two stations according to the production rhythm and production process of the two stations. The present invention can accurately control the automatic feeding operation of the two stations, ensure the accuracy and reliability of the feeding operation, reduce the occurrence of misfeeding, and maximize the feeding capacity of the feeding system, truly realizing that the two stations share a set of feeding systems, and improving the production efficiency of the relevant production system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a double-station automatic feeding control method, which is applicable to the situation where various double-stations share a feeding system, in particular to the feeding control of a double-station LF refining process. Background Art

[0002] In industrial production, dual-station production systems are common, with two stations sharing a common charging system. For example, the LF refining process in a steelmaking workshop uses molten steel from an electric furnace or converter as raw material. Through processes such as slagging with slag-forming agents, electrified slagging / heating, bottom blowing and stirring, alloying, and wire feeding, LF refining achieves carbonization, degassing, deoxidation, and adjustment of the steel's temperature and chemical composition, ultimately improving its purity.

[0003] During the smelting process of a double-station LF furnace, there are situations where both stations process molten steel simultaneously. They are not powered on at the same time (they share a common electrode heating system, which is generally a rotating electrode). However, there are problems with the coordinated control of the feeding of the two stations, which mainly involve the following four scenarios:

[0004] Assume that the two workstations are 1# and 2#.

[0005] (1) The molten steel at station 1 needs to be prepared (lime, refining agent), and alloy needs to be added at station 2, and vice versa;

[0006] (2) When the 1# station is electrified to slag or electrify to increase temperature, a foaming agent needs to be added, and when the 2# station is electrified to slag or increase temperature, an alloy needs to be added, and vice versa.

[0007] (3) When the No. 1 station is electrified to slag or electrify to increase temperature, a foaming agent needs to be added, and the No. 2 station needs to prepare materials. The situation is similar in reverse.

[0008] (4) No. 1 station needs to add alloy, No. 2 station needs to add alloy, and vice versa;

[0009] The current feeding method is: when a certain workstation needs to add materials, the weight is generally manually set by the operator on the first-level feeding screen. Then the system automatically or manually completes a series of feeding operations such as weighing, unloading, and adding materials. During this process, each subsystem or equipment is in exclusive mode for the current workstation. Only after the feeding of the current workstation is completed can another workstation be fed.

[0010] It can be seen that the above-mentioned feeding method cannot adapt to production scenarios such as simultaneous preparation, simultaneous feeding, and one preparation and one feeding, resulting in problems such as low production efficiency, high energy consumption, and high production costs. Summary of the Invention

[0011] The invention relates to a double-station automatic feeding control method, which can at least solve some defects of the prior art.

[0012] The present invention relates to a double-station automatic feeding control method.

[0013] In the single-station feeding mode, the method includes:

[0014] 1) Divide the production stages according to the production process requirements of the workstation, and match the feeding operations accordingly to the production stages that require feeding;

[0015] 2) The feeding operation includes: screening available silos based on the raw material family of the corresponding production stage, selecting a high-level silo that can supply the workstation from the available silos, determining a feeding setpoint for the feeding operation, and generating feeding instructions accordingly, with the central control computer executing each of the feeding instructions in sequence;

[0016] In the dual-station feeding mode, the method includes:

[0017] The feeding strategy for each workstation is the same as that in the single-workstation feeding mode; among them, the central control machine coordinates the execution of the feeding instructions of the two workstations based on the production rhythm and production progress of the two workstations and the occupancy status of the silo, weighing bucket and horizontal aggregate reversible belt.

[0018] As one of the implementation methods, in the dual-station feeding mode, when two stations need to use the same silo at the same time, a silo competition strategy is executed.

[0019] As one of the implementation methods, the silo competition strategy adopts a time-sharing exclusive mode.

[0020] As one of the implementation methods, when the feeding instruction is generated, the selected material bin and the corresponding weighing bucket are immediately locked as the station occupied state;

[0021] During the execution of the feeding instruction, the execution status of the feeding instruction is tracked, and after the corresponding unloading operation is completed, the equipment status of the corresponding silo and the corresponding weighing hopper is updated to an available state.

[0022] As one of the implementation methods, in the double-station feeding mode, when two stations need to use the horizontal aggregate reversible belt at the same time, a belt competition strategy is executed.

[0023] As one of the implementation methods, the belt competition strategy includes one of the following strategies:

[0024] a. Calculate the unloading duration of the weighed materials in the weighing buckets occupied by the two workstations. The workstation with the shorter unloading duration will be given priority to use the horizontal aggregate reversible belt, while the other workstation will wait for use.

[0025] b. The priority of using the horizontal aggregate reversible belt is determined according to the starting order of the production stages corresponding to the two feeding instructions. Among them, the workstation with the earlier production stage start time has priority to use the horizontal aggregate reversible belt, and the other workstation waits for use;

[0026] c. Among the weighing buckets occupied by two workstations, the one that finishes weighing first will have priority to use the horizontal aggregate reversible belt, while the other workstation will wait for use;

[0027] d. Determine the priority of using horizontal aggregate reversible belts based on the predetermined raw material type.

[0028] As one of the implementation methods, the method for generating the feeding instruction includes:

[0029] Obtain the initial production conditions of the current workstation, the stage control targets of each production stage and the production end control targets, calculate the feeding set values ​​for each round of feeding operations, and generate static feeding instructions for each production stage.

[0030] As one of the implementation modes, the method for generating the feeding instruction further includes:

[0031] Acquiring actual production conditions during the production process, calculating and obtaining a required feeding set value for the current production stage based on the actual production conditions and the stage control target of the current production stage, and generating a dynamic feeding instruction for the current production stage, overwriting the static feeding instruction for the current production stage with the dynamic feeding instruction;

[0032] And / or, obtain the actual production conditions in the production process, calculate the feeding set value required for the next production stage based on the actual production conditions and the stage control target of the next production stage, and generate dynamic feeding instructions for the next production stage, and use the dynamic feeding instructions to cover the static feeding instructions of the next production stage.

[0033] As one of the implementation methods, when the double-station system is a double-station LF furnace, in the double-station charging mode, corresponding control strategies are executed for the following working conditions:

[0034] (1) Working condition 1: Molten steel needs to be prepared when entering the 1# station, and alloy needs to be added at the 2# station

[0035] Among them, the horizontal aggregate reversible belt is exclusively used by the 2# station;

[0036] In terms of silo selection, priority is given to selecting high-level alloy silos and weighing hoppers for the 2# station;

[0037] If, in addition to the weighing bucket occupied by the 2# station, the remaining weighing buckets can also prepare materials for the 1# station, then the alloy addition at the 2# station and the material preparation at the 1# station can be carried out simultaneously;

[0038] (2) Working condition 2: 1# station needs to add foaming agent when slag is electrified or heated, 2# station needs to add alloy or 2# station needs to prepare materials when molten steel enters the station

[0039] Among them, the 1# station is given priority in selecting the high-level silo and weighing bucket for adding foaming agent. After the 1# station completes the unloading operation, the 2# station selects the required high-level silo;

[0040] (3) Working condition 3: Alloy needs to be added to station 1# and alloy needs to be added to station 2#

[0041] Among them, the priority of the feeding operation is determined according to the order in which different workstations enter the station, specifically the workstation that enters the station first is given priority; or the priority of the feeding operation is determined according to the order in which the feeding instructions of different workstations are generated, specifically the workstation that generates the feeding instruction first is given priority.

[0042] The present invention has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0043] The automatic feeding control method provided by the present invention can accurately control the feeding operations of the two workstations according to the specific working conditions such as the production rhythm of a single workstation or a double workstation. It can not only replace manual or semi-automatic operation modes, ensure the accuracy and reliability of the feeding operation, and reduce the occurrence of wrong materials, but also maximize the use of the feeding capacity of the feeding system, truly realize the sharing of a feeding system by two workstations, and improve the production efficiency of related production systems. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0045] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a feeding system provided in an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] The following is a clear and complete description of the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making any creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0047] The embodiment of the present invention provides a dual-station automatic feeding control method, which is applicable to the situation where various dual-stations share a feeding system. It can not only meet the feeding control requirements when only one station is producing, but also meet the feeding control requirements when two stations are producing at the same time.

[0048] In one embodiment, the method is used for automatic feeding control of double-station production in LF refining process.

[0049] Wherein, in the single-station feeding mode, the method includes:

[0050] 1) Divide the production stages according to the production process requirements of the workstation, and match the feeding operations accordingly to the production stages that require feeding;

[0051] 2) The feeding operation includes: screening available silos 1 based on the raw material family of the corresponding production stage, selecting a high-level silo 1 that can supply materials to the workstation from the available silos 1, determining the feeding set value for this round of feeding operation, and generating feeding instructions accordingly, and the central control machine executes each of the feeding instructions in turn.

[0052] Taking LF refining production as an example, according to the LF refining production requirements of the steel grade, the refining production of one furnace can be divided into rough slag making stage, electrified slag forming stage, stirring stage, electrified heating stage, alloying stage and wire feeding stage, etc. The production stages can be increased or decreased according to different working conditions such as steel grades.

[0053] Obviously, the feeding operation is matched accordingly to the production stage that requires feeding. For example, for the stages divided by the above-mentioned LF refining production, the feeding operation is matched respectively in the rough slag making stage, the electrified slag forming stage, the electrified heating stage, the alloying stage and the wire feeding stage. No feeding is required in the other production stages, and the feeding system may not be used by the workstation in these production stages.

[0054] like Figure 1 In the feeding operation, the actions involved include weighing, unloading and feeding. The weighing action mainly includes a series of actions of weighing the raw materials from the silo 1 and then collecting them into the weighing bucket 2. The unloading action mainly includes the action of unloading the raw materials from the weighing bucket 2 to the horizontal aggregate reversible belt 3. The feeding action mainly includes the action of the horizontal aggregate reversible belt 3 sending the raw materials into the work station processing equipment through the work station feeding belt.

[0055] In one embodiment, the method for generating the feeding instruction includes:

[0056] Obtain the initial production conditions of the current workstation, the stage control targets of each production stage and the production end control targets, calculate the feeding set values ​​for each round of feeding operations, and generate static feeding instructions for each production stage.

[0057] Taking LF refining production as an example, the aforementioned initial production conditions may include the initial molten steel conditions after entering the station, such as molten steel temperature and composition. Stage control objectives are set according to the specific production stage, and the main form of production endpoint control objectives is endpoint target parameters, such as molten steel composition and molten steel temperature.

[0058] How to preliminarily calculate the feeding set values ​​for each round of feeding operations based on the initial production conditions, stage control targets and production endpoint control targets is a conventional technology in this field and can be achieved by calling relevant calculation models, which will not be elaborated here.

[0059] Furthermore, the method for generating the feeding instruction further includes:

[0060] Acquire actual production conditions during the production process, calculate the required feeding setpoints for the current production stage based on the actual production conditions and the stage control objectives for the current production stage, and generate dynamic feeding instructions for the current production stage, overwriting the static feeding instructions for the current production stage with the dynamic feeding instructions. Taking LF refining production as an example, the actual production conditions primarily include the measured molten steel temperature and composition during the production process. Furthermore, key target parameters may be considered as a factor when calculating the required feeding setpoints for the current production stage.

[0061] And / or, obtain the actual production conditions in the production process, calculate the feeding set value required for the next production stage based on the actual production conditions and the stage control target of the next production stage, generate the dynamic feeding instructions for the next production stage, and cover the static feeding instructions for the next production stage; taking LF refining production as an example, the above-mentioned actual production conditions mainly include the measured molten steel temperature and molten steel composition in the production process; further, when calculating the feeding set value required for the next production stage, the key target parameters can be further taken into consideration.

[0062] In the above scheme, the timing of weighing and unloading materials needs to be determined comprehensively by the central control machine in combination with production control requirements, production rhythm, and production process. However, based on the preset weighing and unloading timings, a certain period of fluctuation is allowed. For example, for LF refining production, the fluctuation range can be within the range of -10 to 10s.

[0063] Based on the above scheme, the automatic control of the feeding operation at each workstation can be realized, and a series of automated operations such as material preparation, unloading, and feeding can be completed accurately, reducing the randomness of manual smelting and the occurrence of wrong materials, improving the accuracy of production target control, and reducing labor intensity.

[0064] In one embodiment, when a feeding instruction is generated, the selected silo 1 and the corresponding weighing hopper 2 are immediately locked as occupied, making them unavailable to other workstations. During the feeding instruction's execution, the execution status of the instruction is tracked, and after the corresponding unloading operation is completed, the device status of the corresponding silo 1 and weighing hopper 2 is updated to available. This approach ensures the accuracy and reliability of feeding control and reduces the occurrence of misplaced materials.

[0065] Among them, preferably, the central control machine tracks the operating status of the high-level silo 1, the weighing bucket 2, and the horizontal aggregate reversible belt 3 in real time, and tracks the status of each batch of material flow and the occupancy status of each component of the feeding system to ensure that the two workstations can use the required equipment in a timely manner and achieve maximum utilization of the feeding system.

[0066] Furthermore, in the dual-station feeding mode, the method includes:

[0067] The feeding strategy of each workstation is the same as that in the single-workstation feeding mode; among them, the central control machine coordinates and executes the feeding instructions of the two workstations according to the production rhythm and production process of the two workstations.

[0068] Among them, when the two workstations are producing at the same time, there may be a competitive relationship, mainly including the competitive working condition of silo 1, the competitive working condition of weighing bucket 2 and the competitive working condition of horizontal aggregate reversible belt 3.

[0069] Preferably, in the dual-station feeding mode, when two stations need to use the same silo 1 at the same time, the silo 1 competition strategy is executed.

[0070] Preferably, in the dual-station feeding mode, when two stations need to use the same weighing bucket 2 at the same time, the weighing bucket 2 competition strategy is executed.

[0071] Preferably, in the dual-station feeding mode, when two stations need to use the horizontal aggregate reversible belt 3 at the same time, a belt competition strategy is implemented.

[0072] The competition strategy for the silo 1 can adopt a time-sharing exclusive mode, that is, the first-come-first-served and the latter-served wait; the competition strategy for the weighing bucket 2 can also adopt a time-sharing exclusive mode; the competition strategy for the belt can also adopt a time-sharing exclusive mode.

[0073] In an optional embodiment, the belt competition strategy includes one of the following strategies:

[0074] a. Calculate the unloading duration of the weighed material in the weighing bucket 2 occupied by the two workstations. The workstation with the shorter unloading duration will be given priority to use the horizontal aggregate reversible belt 3, while the other workstation will wait for use.

[0075] b. Determine the priority of using the horizontal aggregate reversible belt 3 according to the starting order of the production stages corresponding to the two feeding instructions. The workstation with the earlier production stage start time will have priority in using the horizontal aggregate reversible belt 3, while the other workstation will wait for use.

[0076] c. Among the weighing buckets 2 occupied by the two workstations, the weighing bucket 2 that has finished weighing the material first will have priority in using the horizontal aggregate reversible belt 3, while the other workstation will wait for use;

[0077] d. Determine the use priority of the horizontal aggregate reversible belt 3 according to the predetermined raw material type.

[0078] Among them, the corresponding competition strategy can be matched according to the specific working conditions (such as the grade of steel being produced, the production rhythm of the previous and subsequent processes, the fluctuation of production conditions or parameters, etc.). On the premise of meeting the production stability and production quality of the two workstations, through the selection and coordination of control strategies, the systematicness and rationality of the feeding operations of the two workstations can be improved as much as possible to achieve the purpose of saving energy consumption, reducing costs and increasing efficiency.

[0079] As a preferred solution of this embodiment, for the LF refining double-station production mode, in the double-station feeding mode, the following control strategy is implemented:

[0080] (1) Working condition 1: Molten steel at station 1 needs to be prepared (mainly lime, refining agent, etc.), and alloy needs to be added at station 2. The situation is similar in reverse.

[0081] Under this working condition, preferably, since the 1# station is preparing materials but not unloading materials, the horizontal aggregate reversible belt 3 is exclusively used by the 2# station;

[0082] In the selection of silo 1, give priority to the selection of high-level alloy silo 1 and weighing hopper 2 for station 2, so as to avoid affecting the selection of alloy silo 1 required for station 2 due to the time required from material preparation to material unloading, and ensure the accuracy of alloy addition operation;

[0083] If, in addition to the weighing bucket 2 occupied by the 2# station, the remaining weighing buckets 2 can also prepare materials for the 1# station, then the alloying at the 2# station and the material preparation at the 1# station can be carried out simultaneously.

[0084] Since the alloying material is usually small and can be completed in about 30 seconds, the above control strategy minimizes the time loss of the two workstations.

[0085] (2) Working condition 2: When the 1# station is electrified to slag or electrify to increase temperature, a foaming agent needs to be added, and the 2# station needs to add alloy. The opposite situation is similar.

[0086] Under this working condition, two stations may unload materials at the same time, and there will be competition between the high-level silo 1, the weighing bucket 2, and the horizontal aggregate reversible belt 3; among them, preferably, the high-level silo 1 and the weighing bucket 2 for adding the foaming agent are given priority to the 1# station. After the unloading operation is completed at the 1# station, the 2# station selects the high-level silo 1 required for adding the alloy. This method can give priority to ensuring the production control effect of the electrified slag and electrified heating stages, and improve the quality of molten steel (the electrified slag and electrified heating stages are key stages of the entire LF. The foaming agent helps the submerged arc effect and various reactions at the slag-steel interface by adjusting the slag properties, which is beneficial to shortening the smelting time); therefore, based on the above method, it is possible to weigh the importance of the smelting stages of different stations to the entire furnace smelting and comprehensively consider the effect of ensuring the smelting quality of the two stations.

[0087] (3) Working condition 3: When the 1# station is electrified to slag or electrify to increase temperature, a foaming agent needs to be added, and when the 2# station molten steel enters the station, material preparation is required. The opposite situation is similar.

[0088] In this working condition, the control strategy can refer to the control strategy of working condition 2 above.

[0089] (4) Working condition 4: alloy needs to be added at station 1#, alloy needs to be added at station 2#, and vice versa;

[0090] In one embodiment, the following strategy is implemented: the priority of charging operations (including access to the high-level silo 1, weighing bucket 2, and horizontal aggregate reversible belt 3) is determined based on the order in which different workstations enter the station. Specifically, priority is given to the workstation that enters the station first. This approach ensures stable and reliable connection with upstream and downstream processes, facilitating continuous steelmaking production.

[0091] In another embodiment, the following strategy is implemented: the priority of the feeding operation (including the use rights of the high-level silo 1, the weighing bucket 2, and the horizontal aggregate reversible belt 3) is determined according to the generation order of the feeding instructions of different workstations, specifically the workstation where the feeding instruction is generated first is given priority.

[0092] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A double-station automatic feeding control method, characterized in that: In the single-station feeding mode, the method includes: 1) Divide the production stages according to the production process requirements of the workstation, and match the feeding operations accordingly to the production stages that require feeding; 2) The feeding operation includes: screening available silos based on the raw material family of the corresponding production stage, selecting a high-level silo that can supply the workstation from the available silos, determining a feeding setpoint for the feeding operation, and generating feeding instructions accordingly, with the central control computer executing each of the feeding instructions in sequence; In the dual-station feeding mode, the method includes: The feeding strategy for each workstation is the same as that for the single-workstation feeding mode. The central control unit coordinates the execution of feeding instructions for the two workstations based on the production rhythm and progress of the two workstations, as well as the occupancy status of the silo, weighing hopper, and horizontal aggregate reversible belt. When the workstation system is a double-station LF furnace, in the double-station charging mode, the corresponding control strategies are executed for the following working conditions: (1) Working condition 1: Molten steel needs to be prepared when entering the 1# station, and alloy needs to be added when entering the 2# station Among them, the horizontal aggregate reversible belt is exclusively used by the 2# station; In terms of silo selection, priority is given to selecting high-level alloy silos and weighing hoppers for the 2# station; If, in addition to the weighing bucket occupied by the 2# station, the remaining weighing buckets can also prepare materials for the 1# station, then the alloy addition at the 2# station and the material preparation at the 1# station can be carried out simultaneously; (2) Working condition 2: The 1# station needs to add foaming agent when slag is electrified or heated, the 2# station needs to add alloy or the 2# station needs to prepare materials when molten steel enters the station Among them, the 1# station is given priority in selecting the high-level silo and weighing bucket for adding foaming agent. After the 1# station completes the unloading operation, the 2# station selects the required high-level silo; (3) Working condition 3: Alloy needs to be added at station 1# and alloy needs to be added at station 2# Among them, the priority of the feeding operation is determined according to the order in which different workstations enter the station, specifically the workstation that enters the station first is given priority; or the priority of the feeding operation is determined according to the order in which the feeding instructions of different workstations are generated, specifically the workstation that generates the feeding instruction first is given priority.

2. The dual-station automatic feeding control method according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the dual-station feeding mode, when two stations need to use the same silo at the same time, the silo competition strategy is executed.

3. The dual-station automatic feeding control method according to claim 2, characterized in that: The silo competition strategy adopts a time-sharing exclusive mode.

4. The double-station automatic feeding control method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: When the feeding instruction is generated, the selected silo and the corresponding weighing bucket are immediately locked as station occupied; During the execution of the feeding instruction, the execution status of the feeding instruction is tracked, and after the corresponding unloading operation is completed, the equipment status of the corresponding silo and the corresponding weighing hopper is updated to an available state.

5. The double-station automatic feeding control method according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the double-station feeding mode, when the two stations need to use the horizontal aggregate reversible belt at the same time, the belt competition strategy is implemented.

6. The double-station automatic feeding control method according to claim 5, characterized in that: The belt competition strategy includes one of the following strategies: a. Calculate the unloading duration of the weighed materials in the weighing buckets occupied by the two workstations. The workstation with the shorter unloading duration will be given priority to use the horizontal aggregate reversible belt, while the other workstation will wait for use. b. The priority of using the horizontal aggregate reversible belt is determined according to the starting order of the production stages corresponding to the two feeding instructions. Among them, the workstation with the earlier production stage start time has priority to use the horizontal aggregate reversible belt, and the other workstation waits for use; c. Among the weighing buckets occupied by two workstations, the one that finishes weighing first will have priority to use the horizontal aggregate reversible belt, while the other workstation will wait for use; d. Determine the priority of using horizontal aggregate reversible belts based on the predetermined raw material type.

7. The double-station automatic feeding control method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The method for generating the feeding instruction includes: Obtain the initial production conditions of the current workstation, the stage control targets of each production stage and the production end control targets, calculate the feeding set values ​​for each round of feeding operations, and generate static feeding instructions for each production stage.

8. The double-station automatic feeding control method according to claim 7, characterized in that: The method for generating the feeding instruction further includes: Acquiring actual production conditions during the production process, calculating and obtaining a required feeding set value for the current production stage based on the actual production conditions and the stage control target of the current production stage, and generating a dynamic feeding instruction for the current production stage, overwriting the static feeding instruction for the current production stage with the dynamic feeding instruction; And / or, obtain the actual production conditions in the production process, calculate the feeding set value required for the next production stage based on the actual production conditions and the stage control target of the next production stage, and generate dynamic feeding instructions for the next production stage, and use the dynamic feeding instructions to cover the static feeding instructions of the next production stage.

Images