Processing apparatus, processing method, and program

Abstract

To bring a target value of a processing amount after starting an unsteady operation closer to a value appropriate for an operation during the unsteady operation.SOLUTION: A processing apparatus 510 changes a weighting factor that is already determined before a timing in the course of an unsteady operation, and determines a target processing amount locus after the timing in the course of the unsteady operation by using an evaluation function including the weighting factor after change.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5A

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a processing apparatus, a processing method, and a program, and is particularly suitable for use during non-steady operation of a manufacturing process.

Background Art

[0002] In order to bring the process quantity obtained by the operation in the manufacturing process closer to (preferably equal to) the target value, the target value of the process quantity is determined. In the manufacturing process, non-steady operation may be performed for equipment maintenance or the like. During non-steady operation, as the target value of the process quantity, a target value over a longer period than during steady operation (for example, over the entire period of non-steady operation) is determined. Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose calculating the target value of the process quantity during non-steady operation using an evaluation function including a plurality of evaluation indices including an evaluation index for the process quantity and a weight coefficient for the evaluation index. Specifically, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose using, as an evaluation index for the target furnace temperature trajectory (the time change of the target furnace temperature, which is the target value of the temperature in the combustion chamber of a coke oven), the difference between the predicted value and the target value (target furnace temperature trajectory) of the temperature in the combustion chamber. Further, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose using, as evaluation indices, the difference between the predicted value and the set value of the coke temperature and the integrated value of the input heat quantity.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] As described above, during non-steady operation, as the target value of the process quantity, a target value over a longer period than during steady operation is determined. Therefore, as non-steady operation progresses, there is a possibility that the evaluation index to be emphasized may change. However, in the technologies described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the weighting factor during non-steady operation is fixed. Therefore, there is a risk that the target value of the process quantity determined by changing the weighting factor during non-steady operation may deviate from a value commensurate with subsequent operations.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to bring the target value of the process quantity after the start of non-steady operation closer to a value commensurate with the operation during non-steady operation.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] A first example of the processing device of the present invention is a processing device that determines a target process quantity that is a target value of the process quantity obtained by an operation in a manufacturing process, and uses an evaluation function including a plurality of evaluation indexes including an evaluation index for the process quantity and a weighting factor for the evaluation index to determine a target process quantity trajectory that is a time change of the target process quantity during non-steady operation. The target process quantity determining means changes the weighting factor that has already been determined before the timing during the non-steady operation, and uses the changed weighting factor to determine the target process quantity trajectory after the timing. A second example of the processing device of the present invention is a processing device that determines a weighting factor for a plurality of evaluation indexes including an evaluation index for the process quantity obtained by an operation in a manufacturing process, and includes a weighting factor determining means for determining the weighting factor at a timing during non-steady operation. The weighting factor is a weighting factor included in an evaluation function for determining a target process quantity trajectory that is a time change of the target value of the process quantity during non-steady operation.

[0007] A first example of the processing method of the present invention is a processing method for determining a target process quantity that is a target value of a process quantity obtained by operation in a manufacturing process, the method comprising: a target process quantity determination step of determining a target process quantity trajectory that is a time change of the target process quantity during non-steady operation, using an evaluation function including a plurality of evaluation indicators including an evaluation indicator for the process quantity and a weight coefficient for the evaluation indicator; wherein the target process quantity determination step changes the weight coefficient that has already been determined prior to the timing during the non-steady operation at the timing during the non-steady operation, and determines the target process quantity trajectory after the timing using the changed weight coefficient. A second example of the processing method of the present invention is a processing method for determining a weight coefficient for a plurality of evaluation indicators including an evaluation indicator for a process quantity obtained by operation in a manufacturing process, the method comprising: a weight coefficient determination step of determining the weight coefficient at a timing during non-steady operation; wherein the weight coefficient is a weight coefficient included in an evaluation function for determining a target process quantity trajectory that is a time change of the target value of the process quantity during non-steady operation.

[0008] The program of the present invention causes a computer to function as the means of the processing device.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, at a timing during non-steady operation, a target process quantity trajectory after the timing during non-steady operation is determined using an evaluation function including a plurality of evaluation indicators including an evaluation indicator for the process quantity and a weight coefficient for the evaluation indicator. At that time, during the non-steady operation, the weight coefficient that has already been determined prior to the timing is changed, and the target process quantity trajectory after the timing is determined using the evaluation function including the changed weight coefficient. Therefore, even when the importance among the plurality of evaluation indicators changes according to the timing for determining the target process quantity trajectory, a weight coefficient corresponding to the changed importance can be determined. Thus, the target value of the process quantity after the non-steady operation is started can be made closer to a value commensurate with the operation during non-steady operation.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4A

Figure 4B

Figure 4C

Figure 5A

Figure 5B

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9A

Figure 9B

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. [Overview] First, an example of the outline of this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, a target process quantity trajectory, which is the time change of the target process quantity that is the target value of the process quantity obtained by the operation in the manufacturing process, is determined. The target process quantity trajectory only needs to specify the relationship between the target process quantity and time as the time change of the target process quantity. The relationship between the target process quantity and time may be represented, for example, by expressing the target process quantity as a function of time. Also, the relationship between the target process quantity and time may be represented, for example, by a table that mutually associates and stores the target process quantity with the time or time zone. The process quantity is not limited as long as it is an amount obtained by the operation in the manufacturing process. For example, it may be an amount for which an actual value can be acquired by the operation in the manufacturing process. Specifically, the process quantity includes, for example, at least one of the state quantity (physical quantity representing the state) of the manufacturing facility, the state quantity of the product, the state quantity of the semi-finished product, the operation quantity in the control of the manufacturing process, and the control quantity in the control of the manufacturing process. Also, the non-steady operation is an operation that includes an operation different from the operation for manufacturing a product, such as an operation for maintenance of the manufacturing facility. Note that, during the non-steady operation, an operation for manufacturing a product may be performed together with the other operation.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the target process quantity trajectory. In this embodiment, cases of determining the target process quantity trajectory at each of the timing before the timing when the non-steady operation starts and the timing during the non-steady operation are exemplified. However, it is not always necessary to determine the target process quantity trajectory at the timing before the timing when the non-steady operation starts. For example, at the timing when the non-steady operation starts, a preset target process quantity trajectory may be used.

[0013] In FIG. 1(a), as an example of the timing before the timing when the non-steady operation starts, the case of determining the target process quantity trajectory 110 at the start time t s of the non-steady operation is exemplified. By doing so, it is preferable because the target process quantity trajectory 110 can be determined using the actual value at the start time t s of the non-steady operation. However, at the start time t of the non-steady operations The target process amount trajectory 110 may be determined at a time earlier than t. m t is the time at which the target process amount trajectory is determined. Note that the black circles (●) shown in FIG. 1 indicate the actual values of the process amount.

[0014] In this embodiment, a case where the target process amount trajectory 110 is determined using an evaluation function including an evaluation index for the process amount is exemplified. The evaluation index for the process amount is represented by, for example, the difference between the target process amount trajectory to be determined and the predicted value of the process amount. In the example shown in FIG. 1(a), for example, at the start time t s to the end time t e During the period until, the target process amount trajectory 110 that minimizes the difference from the predicted value of the process amount is determined by solving an optimization problem.

[0015] When the non-steady operation starts, as shown in FIG. 1(b), the actual value of the process amount during the non-steady operation is obtained (see the black circles shown in FIG. 1(b)). When determining the target process amount trajectory at a timing during the non-steady operation, in the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, similar to the case of determining the target process amount trajectory at the start time t s of the non-steady operation, from the start time t s to the end time t e During the period until, the target process amount trajectory that minimizes the difference from the predicted value of the process amount is determined by solving an optimization problem.

[0016] In the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the target process amount trajectory during the period from the start time t s to the time t m at which the target process amount trajectory is determined is assumed to coincide with the actual value of the process amount (the black circles shown in FIG. 1(b)). Then, as the time t m at which the target process amount trajectory is determined approaches the end time t e of the non-steady operation, there is less room for changing the target process amount trajectory.

[0017] Therefore, in this embodiment, when determining the target process quantity trajectory at the timing during the non-steady operation, without using the actual value of the process quantity obtained during the period from the start time t s of the non-steady operation to the time t m when determining the target process quantity trajectory, based on the predicted value 120 of the process quantity during the period from the time t m when determining the target process quantity trajectory to the end time t e of the non-steady operation, an example of determining the target process quantity trajectory 130 during this period is illustrated. In this way, the target process quantity trajectory 130 can be determined without being affected by the operations that have already been performed as much as possible. Note that the target process quantity trajectory 130 does not include the target value of the process quantity from the time t m when determining the target process quantity trajectory to the end time t e of the non-steady operation.

[0018] The determination of whether to determine the target process quantity trajectory at the timing during the non-steady operation may be performed based on an instruction by an operator, or may be determined by means such as a computer as to whether to determine the target process quantity trajectory. If the determination of whether to determine the target process quantity trajectory is performed periodically, the target process quantity trajectory corresponding to the state of the manufacturing process that changes every moment can be determined. The period when determining whether to determine the target process quantity trajectory periodically is not limited. For example, if the period for determining the target process quantity trajectory is set to the control period of the manufacturing process, the target process quantity trajectory during the non-steady operation can be determined more efficiently.

[0019] Note that the period of the target process quantity trajectory is, in the example shown in Fig. 1(a), the period from the start time t s (= the time t m ) when determining the target process quantity trajectory to the end time t e of the non-steady operation, and in the example shown in Fig. 1(b), the period from the time t m (> the start time t s ) of the non-steady operation to the end time t e of the non-steady operation.

[0020] Also, the determination of whether or not to determine the target process quantity trajectory at the timing during the non-steady operation may be performed based on, for example, the difference between the predicted value and the target value of the state quantity (temperature, pressure, mass, volume, etc.) of the product or semi-finished product in the manufacturing process. In this way, when the state of the product or semi-finished product in the manufacturing process deviates from the state to be satisfied as the product or semi-finished product, the target process quantity trajectory can be determined. Note that the state quantity of the product or semi-finished product may be a physical quantity directly obtained from the product or semi-finished product, or a physical quantity obtained from outside the product and semi-finished product (for example, a measuring device for measuring the state of the manufacturing facility) as a physical quantity reflecting the state of the product or semi-finished product. Also, the determination of whether or not to determine the target process quantity trajectory may be performed, for example, at the timing of switching between a plurality of phases described later. In addition, as described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, when the operating conditions are changed, it may be determined that the target process quantity trajectory is determined.

[0021] In addition, in the present embodiment, a case where the above-described evaluation function includes a plurality of evaluation indicators including an evaluation index for the process quantity and a weight coefficient for each evaluation indicator is exemplified. Note that the weight coefficient is for balancing the evaluations among the plurality of evaluation indicators according to the importance of the plurality of evaluation indicators and the like. In the technique described in Patent Document 1, the weight coefficient during non-steady operation is fixed.

[0022] However, during non-steady operation, as the target value of the process quantity, a target value over a longer period than during steady operation is determined. Therefore, if the weight coefficient is fixed, as the non-steady operation progresses, when the evaluation index to be emphasized changes, the value of the weight coefficient may deviate from the value commensurate with the actual operation.

[0023] Therefore, in this embodiment, a case where the weight coefficient that has already been determined before a certain timing is changed at a timing during the non-steady operation is exemplified. The timing for changing the weight coefficient is not limited as long as it is during the non-steady operation. For example, based on the operating status of the manufacturing process during the non-steady operation, it may be determined whether to change the weight coefficient. The operating status is represented, for example, by the time change (time series) of a physical quantity reflected in the manufacturing process by an operation (operator's operation) performed in the manufacturing process. The physical quantity is, for example, a process quantity. In this case, the operating status is represented by the time change of the process quantity. Further, in this embodiment, a case is exemplified where it is periodically determined whether to change the weight coefficient based on the same determination criterion as that for determining whether to determine the target process quantity trajectory.

[0024] Generally, the weight coefficient is determined offline in advance. If the non-steady operation period is divided into a plurality of phases (periods) and the weight coefficient is determined for each of the plurality of phases, for example, a large number of weight coefficient (sets) can be prepared, or the occurrence of unused weight coefficient (sets) can be suppressed.

[0025] Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a case is exemplified where, with N being an integer of 2 or more, weight coefficients w1_1···wu_1, w1_N···wu_N are determined for each of the first to Nth phases according to the assumed time change as the time change of the process quantity.

[0026] The weight coefficients w1_1···wu_1 are the weight coefficients used when the phase corresponding to the timing for determining the target process quantity trajectory is the first phase. In FIG. 2, an example is shown where the timing for determining the target process quantity trajectory is the timing when the process quantity decreases (the operating status where the process quantity decreases), and the phase corresponding to the timing when the process quantity decreases is the first phase. As shown in FIG. 1(a), at the start time t of the non-steady operation sWhen determining the target process quantity trajectory 110, the weighting factors w1_1 ··· wu_1 are used for the determination of the target process quantity trajectory 110. When the target process quantity trajectory 110 is not changed (the target process quantity trajectory is determined), the weighting factors w1_1 ··· wu_1 are not changed.

[0027] The weighting factors w1_N ··· wu_N are the weighting factors used when the phase corresponding to the timing of determining the target process quantity trajectory is the N-th phase. In FIG. 2, an example is illustrated in which the N-th phase is the timing of determining the target process quantity trajectory, which is the timing when the process quantity increases (the operating condition where the process quantity increases), and the phase corresponding to the timing when the process quantity increases is the N-th phase. The time t m when determining the target process quantity trajectory shown in FIG. 1(b) is the time corresponding to the N-th phase, the weighting factors w1_N ··· wu_N are used for the determination of the target process quantity trajectory 130. Since the N-th phase is the last phase, even when the target process quantity trajectory 130 is changed (determined), the weighting factors w1_N ··· wu_N are not changed.

[0028] In this way, by changing the weighting factors based on the operating condition of the manufacturing process during non-steady operation, it is possible to set the weighting factors according to the operating condition of the manufacturing process that changes moment by moment.

[0029] Note that in FIG. 2, t s1 , t s2 , t sN are the start times of the first phase, the second phase, and the N-th phase, respectively. The end time of the n-th phase coincides with the start time of the (n + 1)-th phase. Also, the end time of the N-th phase, which is the last phase, coincides with the end time t e of the non-steady operation.

[0030] Regarding the notations of the weight coefficients w1_1 ··· wu_1, w1_N ··· wu_N, the numbers and characters (u) before the underscore (_) are for identifying a plurality of evaluation indicators, and u is an integer of 2 or more corresponding to the number of evaluation indicators. Also, the numbers and characters (N) after the underscore (_) are for identifying the phases, and N is an integer of 2 or more corresponding to the number of phases.

[0031] As for which phase corresponds to the timing of determining the target process quantity trajectory, for example, it may be determined based on an example of the calculated value of the temporal change of the process quantity, the target process quantity trajectory (for example, the target process quantity trajectory 110 determined at the start time t s of the non-steady operation) and the elapsed time since the start of the non-steady operation (the elapsed time since the start time t s of the non-steady operation).

[0032] Specifically, based on the already determined target process quantity trajectory (for example, the target process quantity trajectory 110 determined at the start time t s of the non-steady operation), the time zones up to the start time and the end time of each phase of the non-steady operation are calculated. As described above, the end time of each phase is equal to the start time of the next phase (however, the end time of the last phase is equal to the end time t e of the non-steady operation). Then, it is determined in which time zone of which phase the time t m for determining the target process quantity trajectory is included.

[0033] Also, as for which phase corresponds to the timing of determining the target process quantity trajectory, for example, it may be determined based on the actual value of the temporal change of the process quantity. For example, based on at least one of the sign of the positive or negative of the temporal change (time derivative value) per unit time of the actual value of the process quantity and the absolute value, it may be determined which phase the corresponding phase for determining the target process quantity trajectory is.

[0034] In the example shown in FIG. 2, for example, at time t when determining the target process amount trajectory m if the time change per unit time (time differential value) of the actual value of the process amount is a negative value and the absolute value of the time change (time differential value) of the actual value of the process amount exceeds the threshold value, the phase corresponding to the timing of determining the target process amount trajectory is determined to be the first phase. Also, at time t when determining the target process amount trajectory m if the time change per unit time (time differential value) of the actual value of the process amount is a positive value and the absolute value of the time change per unit time (time differential value) of the actual value of the process amount exceeds the threshold value, the phase corresponding to the timing of determining the target process amount trajectory is determined to be the Nth phase. Also, at time t when determining the target process amount trajectory m if the absolute value of the time change per unit time (time differential value) of the actual value of the process amount is less than or equal to the threshold value, the phase corresponding to the timing of determining the target process amount trajectory is determined to be a phase other than the first phase and the Nth phase. When the time change (time series) of the process amount during non-steady operation is V-shaped, based on only the positive or negative sign of the time change per unit time (time differential value) of the actual value of the process amount at time t m when determining the target process amount trajectory, it may be determined which phase it is.

[0035] Also, the already determined target process amount trajectory is not limited to the target process amount trajectory 110 determined at the start time t s of the non-steady operation. For example, it may be the latest target process amount trajectory (for example, the target process amount trajectory 130 determined at a timing during the non-steady operation).

[0036] [Outline of Coke Oven and Coke Manufacturing Process] As described above, the manufacturing process is not limited as long as it is a manufacturing process that may perform non-steady operation. In this embodiment, the control during non-steady operation of a coke oven will be described as an example. Therefore, first, the outline of the coke oven and the coke manufacturing process will be described.

[0037] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a coke oven and a coke production process. FIG. 4A is a diagram for explaining an example of the temperature of the furnace mass. FIG. 4B is a diagram showing an example of the state in which coke is being pushed out of the carbonization chamber. Note that FIGS. 4A and 4B show a perspective view of the interior. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4A, in the coke oven 1, the carbonization chambers (ovens) 2 and the combustion chambers 3 are alternately arranged via the furnace wall 4. The carbonization chamber 2 carbonizes the charged coal to obtain coke. The combustion chamber 3 keeps the carbonization chamber 2 at a high temperature by burning the fuel gas.

[0038] In the coke manufacturing process using the coke oven 1, the so-called block coking-out method is adopted for the coking-out and coal charging operation. The coking-out and coal charging operation is an operation of pushing coke out of the carbonization chamber 2 by the extrusion ram 7 as shown in Fig. 4B, and then supplying coal to the carbonization chamber 2. In the block coking-out method, all the carbonization chambers 2 are divided into Da (Da is an integer of 2 or more) rows, and the coking-out and coal charging operation is carried out in units of the divided rows. Each carbonization chamber 2 is assigned to one of the rows so that a plurality of carbonization chambers 2 every Da in the arrangement order of the carbonization chambers 2 belong to the same row. In this embodiment, the case where the coking-out and coal charging operation is carried out by the block coking-out method with Da = 5 is exemplified. In this case, for example, the carbonization chambers 2 of carbonization chamber No. 1, 6, 11, 16,... are assigned to row 1, the carbonization chambers 2 of carbonization chamber No. 2, 7, 12, 17,... are assigned to row 2, the carbonization chambers 2 of carbonization chamber No. 3, 8, 13, 18,... are assigned to row 3, the carbonization chambers 2 of carbonization chamber No. 4, 9, 14, 19,... are assigned to row 4, and the carbonization chambers 2 of carbonization chamber No. 5, 10, 15, 20,... are assigned to row 5. In units of rows, the coking-out and coal charging operation is carried out in order from the youngest carbonization chamber 2. For example, the coking-out and coal charging operation of the carbonization chamber 2 assigned to row 1 is carried out in the order of the carbonization chamber 2 of carbonization chamber No. 1, the carbonization chamber 2 of carbonization chamber No. 6, the carbonization chamber 2 of carbonization chamber No. 11, the carbonization chamber 2 of carbonization chamber No. 16,.... Also, in order to prevent a rapid temperature drop, the coking-out and coal charging order is, for example, row 1, row 3, row 5, row 2, row 4. The time from the timing when the coking-out and coal charging operation is completed in a certain row to the timing when the coking-out and coal charging operation is completed in the next row is called the row time. The row time is generally about 3 to 6 hours. Note that the coking-out and coal charging operation is not limited to the block coking-out method. For example, in the following description, if the row (block) is treated as an individual carbonization chamber 2, it can also be applied to the case where the coking-out and coal charging operation is carried out in units of one carbonization chamber 2.

[0039] In the coke oven manufacturing process, furnace group control is executed to collectively adjust the input heat of all combustion chambers 3 and control the average carbonization state of each passage. That is, the input heat to the coke oven 1 is controlled by operating one regulating valve 5 installed for all combustion chambers 3. The regulating valve 5 is a valve for adjusting the flow rate of the mixed gas of fuel gas and combustion air. Further, the regulating valve 5 is operated via an actuator (not shown) under the control of a processing device 510 described later. The representative value of the temperature of all combustion chambers 3 is referred to as the furnace group temperature. For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, thermometers 6 for measuring the ambient temperature of the combustion chambers 3 are installed in a plurality of combustion chambers 3 among all combustion chambers 3, and the average temperature of the combustion chambers 3 where the thermometers 6 are installed is taken as the furnace group temperature. Note that it is not necessary to collectively adjust the input heat of all combustion chambers 3. For example, when performing the charging operation for discharging the coke oven by unit of one carbonization chamber 2, a regulating valve and an actuator may be installed in each combustion chamber 3, and the carbonization state (input heat) may be controlled for each carbonization chamber 2.

[0040] Further, the thermometer 6 may be installed in each of all combustion chambers 3 or only in some of the combustion chambers 3. And, for example, the thermometer 6 may be installed in all combustion chambers 3, and the temperature of each combustion chamber 3 may be taken as the temperature (furnace temperature) of the corresponding combustion chamber 3. Also, as described above, the coke is pushed out of the carbonization chamber 2 by the extrusion ram 7. In the example shown in FIG. 4B, the coke pushed out of the carbonization chamber 2 by the extrusion ram 7 is discharged via the guide car 9 to a fire truck (not shown) disposed below the guide car 9, and is transported to the next process by the fire truck. Note that the guide car 9 moves to the position of the carbonization chamber 2 where the charging operation for discharging the coke is performed. In FIG. 4B, after the coke produced in the carbonization chamber 2 located below FIG. 2B is discharged via the guide car 9 to a fire truck (not shown) and the charging operation for discharging the coke is completed, the guide car 9 moves to the carbonization chamber 2 located above FIG. 3B. This is represented by showing the guide car 9 after the movement by a two-dot chain line. Also, in FIG. 4B, an example is shown in which a thermometer 8 for measuring the temperature of the coke in a non-contact manner is installed inside the guide car 9. The thermometer 8 is installed so as to face the passage path of the coke inside the guide car 9 through a window portion provided in the guide car 9. Thus, in the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the temperature of the coke immediately after it exits the carbonization chamber 2 during the extrusion operation (discharging operation) of the coke (when being extruded) is measured. Note that if the temperature of the coke discharged from the carbonization chamber 2 is measured, the coke temperature does not necessarily have to be measured in this manner. In the following description, the temperature of the coke that has exited the carbonization chamber 2 in this way is also referred to as the coke temperature.

[0041] FIG. 4C is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the coke temperature, the furnace mass temperature, the input heat quantity, and the carbonization time and time. The coke temperature is the temperature of the coke discharged from the carbonization chamber 2, and is calculated, for example, based on the measured value by the thermometer 8 shown in FIG. 4B. When the coke is being pushed out of the carbonization chamber 2 by the extrusion ram 7, the temperature of the coke sequentially discharged from the carbonization chamber 2 is measured by the thermometer 8, and the representative value of the temperature at each measured time and each position is taken as the temperature of the coke produced in the carbonization chamber 2. As the representative value, any one of the arithmetic mean value (the value obtained by dividing the sum of the temperatures at each measured time and each position by the number of temperature measurements), the median value, the mode value, and the minimum value is exemplified. Then, the representative value of the temperature of the coke produced in the carbonization chamber 2 belonging to one group is taken as the coke temperature.

[0042] The carbonization time is equal to the time required for the operation of discharging and charging the kiln to be carried out once for all possible combinations of Da(=5). As described above, in this embodiment, an example is given where the coke temperature and the carbonization time are represented by representative values for each passage. Therefore, the coke temperature and the carbonization time can be obtained when the operation of discharging and charging the kiln in one passage is carried out. That is, the coke temperature and the carbonization time are obtained at the cycle of the passage time. In the graphs of the coke temperature and the carbonization time shown in FIG. 4C (the top graph and the bottom graph), the interval in the time axis direction between two adjacent plots (●) in the time axis direction is the passage time t t in FIG. 4C, the passage time t e at time t t (t e ) is illustrated. Note that the passage time t t is generally a constant time, but may be different times.

[0043] When Da = 5, the carbonization time is equal to the time required for the operation of discharging and charging the kiln to be carried out once for all possible combinations of Da(=5). Therefore, in the graphs of the coke temperature and the carbonization time shown in FIG. 4C, the interval in the time axis direction between the two end plots of six adjacent plots (●) in the time axis direction is the carbonization time. In FIG. 4C, the carbonization time t e at time t k (t e ) is illustrated.

[0044] Also, since the operation of discharging and charging the kiln is not carried out during the rest period, the coke temperature and the carbonization time cannot be obtained (see that no plot (●) is attached to the graphs of the coke temperature and the carbonization time during the rest period in FIG. 4C).

[0045] On the other hand, the oven temperature and input heat amount are obtained regardless of the coal loading work (see FIG. 4C, where the graph of the oven temperature and input heat amount are plotted (●) even during the pause period). In this embodiment, a case is illustrated in which the actual values ​​of the oven temperature and input heat amount are obtained in the control period of the coke oven 1 (the output period of the control signal in the control unit 514), the actual value of the coke temperature is obtained in the pass time period, and the schedule value and actual value of the carbonization time are obtained in the pass time period. In addition, in this embodiment, a case is illustrated in which the predicted values ​​of the oven temperature, input heat amount, and coke temperature are calculated in the control period of the coke oven 1. In addition, in this embodiment, for the sake of simplicity, a case is illustrated in which the start time or the end time of the control period of the coke oven 1 coincides with the start time of any of the pass times. In addition, in this embodiment, the control period of the coke oven 1 is expressed as Δt time (hr). The control period Δt of the coke oven 1 is, for example, 1 hour, but is not limited to 1 hour, and may be longer or shorter than 1 hour.

[0046] In FIG. 4C, at time t s is an example of the start time of non-stationary operation, and time t e is an example of the end time of a non-steady operation. Specifically, in this embodiment, the end time of the coke extrusion work Db times (Db is an integer of 1 or more) before the start of the suspension of the coke loading work (charging and extrusion into the coke chamber 2) is set as the start time t s For example, when Db is 2, in FIG. 4C, the end time of the coke pushing operation in the second run before the start of the suspension period (the time of the second plot of the coke temperature counting backward from the start time of the suspension period) is the start time t sThat is, when the downtime is known in advance as in the case where facility maintenance is performed, Db may be 1 or an integer of 2 or more. On the other hand, when the downtime is not known in advance as in the case where an abnormal operation occurs, Db is preferably 1. In FIG. 4C, for convenience of notation, there are plots overlapping the downtime in the graphs of the coke temperature and the carbonization time, but the plots are obtained by the charging and discharging operations of the coke oven in units as before and after the downtime.

[0047] In addition, in the present embodiment, the end time of the coke discharging operation in the Da + 1-th row after the end of the downtime of the charging and discharging operation (charging and extrusion into the carbonization chamber 2) is the end time t of the non-steady operation e This will be exemplified. Note that the start of the coke discharging operation in a row refers to the start of the coke discharging operation in the carbonization chamber 2 in which the coke discharging operation is first performed among the carbonization chambers 2 belonging to the row, and the end of the coke discharging operation in a row refers to the end of the coke discharging operation in the carbonization chamber 2 in which the coke discharging operation is last performed among the carbonization chambers 2 belonging to the row. When Da is 5, in FIG. 4C, the end time of the coke discharging operation in the 6-th row after the end of the downtime (the time of the 6-th coke temperature plot counted from the end time of the downtime toward the future) is the end time t of the non-steady operation e That is. From the 1st row to the Da-th row (5 rows) after the end of the downtime, coke is produced from the coal present in the carbonization chamber 2 during the downtime.

[0048] On the other hand, in the Da + 1-th row (6 rows) after the end of the downtime, coal is charged into the carbonization chamber 2 after the end of the downtime. It is preferable that the carbonization state of the coke charged into the carbonization chamber 2 after the end of the downtime approaches the carbonization state in the steady state as soon as possible. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the end time of the coke discharging operation in the Da + 1-th row (6 rows) after the end of the downtime of the charging and discharging operation (charging and extrusion into the carbonization chamber 2) is set as the end time t of the non-steady operation eLet it be so. That is, the end time t of the non-steady operation e is the end time of the coke extrusion operation in the passage where the coke discharging and charging operation is first executed after the end of the rest period. However, the end time of the non-steady operation is not limited to the end time of the coke extrusion operation in the (Da + 1)-th passage after the end of the rest of the coke discharging and charging operation (charging into the carbonization chamber 2 and extrusion). For example, the end time of the coke extrusion operation in the (Da + x)-th passage after the end of the rest of the coke discharging and charging operation (charging into the carbonization chamber 2 and extrusion) may be set as the end time of the non-steady operation, and the value of x may be selected from integers of 1 or more. The values of x and Db may be appropriately adjusted, for example, as described later, according to the result of actually performing the control of the input heat amount according to the deviation of the actual value of the furnace mass temperature with respect to the target furnace temperature trajectory so that coke of desired quality can be obtained. As described above, the period during which the non-steady operation occurs (during non-steady operation) is the time t s ~t e of this period.

[0049] [Processing devices 510, 520] FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are diagrams showing an example of the functional configuration of the processing devices 510 and 520. The processing device 510 is an example of a device that performs a process of determining a target process amount trajectory. In the present embodiment, a case where the processing device 510 determines a target process amount trajectory using an evaluation function including a plurality of evaluation indicators including an evaluation indicator for the process amount and a weight coefficient for the evaluation indicator is exemplified. The processing device 520 is an example of a device that performs a process of determining a weight coefficient used when the processing device 510 determines a target process amount trajectory. The determination of the weight coefficient by the processing device 520 is performed before the determination of the target process amount trajectory by the processing device 510.

[0050] The processing devices 510 and 520 include, as hardware, one or more hardware processors such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and one or more memories such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory). The processing devices execute various operations by executing one or more programs stored in the memory using one or more hardware processors. Further, the processing devices 510 and 520 include an input device and an output device as hardware.

[0051] In this embodiment, a case where the processing devices 510 and 520 are separate devices is illustrated. However, the functions of the processing devices 510 and 520 may be realized by one device or may be realized by three or more devices.

[0052] <Processing device 510> The processing device 510 performs a process of determining a target process amount trajectory that is a time change of a target process amount. In this embodiment, a case where the process amount is the furnace temperature (temperature of the combustion chamber 3), which is an example of a state amount of manufacturing equipment in a manufacturing process, is illustrated. Further, in this embodiment, a case of determining a target furnace temperature trajectory as an example of a target process amount trajectory using the methods described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 is illustrated. Therefore, in the description of this embodiment, only an outline of the matters described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 will be explained, and detailed explanations will be omitted. Note that the method for determining the target process amount trajectory (the target furnace temperature trajectory in this embodiment) is not limited to the methods described in Patent Documents 1 and 2. For example, a learning model (for example, a machine learning model such as a neural network or artificial intelligence) that includes the target value of the furnace temperature (furnace temperature) as an objective variable and includes the influencing factors that affect the furnace temperature during non-steady operation as explanatory variables may be used to determine the target process amount trajectory. Examples of the influencing factors that affect the furnace temperature during non-steady operation include, for example, the start time t of non-steady operation s and the actual value of the previous input heat amount.

[0053] In FIG. 5A, this embodiment exemplifies a case where the processing device 510 includes an acquisition unit 511, a target process amount determination unit 512, a predicted value calculation unit 513, and a control unit 514.

[0054] The acquisition unit 511 acquires various types of data used by the processing device 510. The data acquired by the acquisition unit 511 includes the actual performance values of past operations from the present, the schedule values of future operations, the target values of operations, and various setting values used in the calculations in the processing device 510. As the form of data acquisition, at least one of an operation by an operator on an input device, reception from an external device, and reading from a portable storage medium is exemplified. Note that individual data is input to the processing device 510 at an arbitrary timing and acquired by the acquisition unit 511. Therefore, individual data does not necessarily need to be input to the processing device 510 and acquired by the acquisition unit 511 at the same timing.

[0055] The target process amount determination unit 512 determines the target process amount trajectory during non-steady operation. In this embodiment, a case where the process amount is the furnace temperature (furnace temperature) is exemplified. Therefore, in this embodiment, the target process amount determination unit 512 determines, as an example of the target process amount trajectory, the target furnace temperature trajectory, which is the time change of the target furnace temperature that is the target value of the furnace temperature. In this embodiment, a case where the target furnace temperature is the target furnace group temperature that is the target value of the furnace group temperature is exemplified.

[0056] Also, in this embodiment, the target process amount determination unit 512 is the start time t of non-steady operation, which is an example of the timing before the timing when non-steady operation starts. s and the target furnace temperature trajectory is determined at each of the timing after the start time t of non-steady operation. s of non-steady operation.

[0057] Also, in this embodiment, the target process amount determination unit 512 is the start time t of non-steady operation. sAt a later timing, an example is given of a case where it is determined whether or not the absolute value of the difference between the target value of the physical quantity representing the coking state of coke at the end of the non-steady operation and the predicted value of the physical quantity at the end of the non-steady operation is less than or equal to a positive threshold Th. In this case, an example is given of a case where the target furnace temperature trajectory is determined when the absolute value of the difference between the target value of the physical quantity at the end of the non-steady operation and the predicted value of the physical quantity at the end of the non-steady operation is not less than or equal to the positive threshold Th, and a case where the target furnace temperature trajectory is determined otherwise. In the present embodiment, an example is given of a case where the predicted value of the physical quantity is calculated at the control cycle Δt (for example, 1 hour) of the coke oven 1. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the target process quantity determination unit 512 periodically determines whether or not to determine the target furnace temperature trajectory at the control cycle of the coke oven 1 at a timing during the non-steady operation.

[0058] Note that the coking state of coke indicates the state of how much the coal is coked (pyrolyzed) in the produced coke, and is an index representing the quality of coke. In the present embodiment, an example is given of a case where the physical quantity representing the coking state of coke is a state quantity (physical quantity representing the state) of a product or semi-product in the manufacturing process.

[0059] Examples of the physical quantity representing the coking state of coke include, for example, the temperature of the coke produced during non-steady operation, the temperature of the furnace wall 4 during non-steady operation, and the like. The physical quantity representing the coking state of coke during non-steady operation is used to bring the coking state of coke when returning to the steady state closer to the target state. From such a viewpoint, the physical quantity representing the coking state of coke during non-steady operation is preferably the one at a timing closer to the timing of returning from non-steady operation to the steady state. Therefore, in the present embodiment, an example is given of a case where the physical quantity representing the coking state of coke during non-steady operation is the coke temperature of the coal first charged into the carbonization chamber 2 after the end of the rest period. In the following description, the coke temperature of the coal first charged into the carbonization chamber 2 after the end of the rest period is also referred to as the coke temperature at the end of the non-steady operation. In the present embodiment, an example is given of a case where the coke temperature is the representative value per passage, which is the representative value of the passage.

[0060] The coke temperature is the temperature of the coke discharged from the carbonization chamber 2, and is calculated, for example, based on the measured value by the thermometer 8 shown in FIG. 4B. When the coke is being pushed out from the carbonization chamber 2 by the extrusion ram 7, the temperature of the coke sequentially discharged from the carbonization chamber 2 is measured by the thermometer 8, and the representative value of the temperature at each measured time and each position is taken as the temperature of the coke produced in the carbonization chamber 2. Then, the representative value of the temperature of the coke produced in the carbonization chamber 2 belonging to one row is taken as the coke temperature (row representative value). Note that even when the physical quantity representing the coking state of the coke during unsteady operation is taken as the temperature of the furnace wall 4 during unsteady operation, the temperature of the furnace wall 4 is taken as the representative value (row representative value) of the temperature of the furnace wall 4 when the coke is being produced in the carbonization chamber 2 belonging to one row. The temperature of the furnace wall 4 is measured, for example, by a thermometer (not shown) embedded in the furnace wall 4.

[0061] Further, in the present embodiment, an example is illustrated in which the target process amount determination unit 512 determines the target furnace temperature trajectory during unsteady operation based on the predicted value of the furnace group temperature (furnace temperature) during unsteady operation calculated by the predicted value calculation unit 513 and the predicted value of the coke temperature during unsteady operation calculated by the predicted value calculation unit 513. The predicted value calculation unit 513 will be described later.

[0062] Further, in the present embodiment, an example is illustrated in which the target process amount determination unit 512 determines the phase corresponding to the time t s based on the elapsed time from the start time t of the unsteady operation and the already determined target furnace temperature trajectory. m The already determined target furnace temperature trajectory may be the target furnace temperature trajectory determined at the start time t s of the unsteady operation, or may be the latest target furnace temperature trajectory (for example, the target furnace temperature trajectory already determined at a timing during the unsteady operation).

[0063] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of a target furnace temperature trajectory during unsteady operation. The graph shown above FIG. 6 shows an example of the temporal change in the coke temperature, and the graph shown below shows an example of the temporal change in the hearth temperature. In FIG. 6, the position (time) on the time axis of the white circle is an example of the time when the coke temperature and the hearth temperature are obtained. In FIG. 6, for convenience of notation, white circles are shown only for the period from the start time t s to the end time t e ; however, the coke temperature and the hearth temperature can also be obtained outside of this period.

[0064] In the graph shown above FIG. 6, Tc(t e ) is the predicted value of the coke temperature calculated (determined) by the predicted value calculation unit 513. Tc_sv is the target value of the coke temperature at the end of unsteady operation, and is set according to the quality required for the coke and the like. In the following description, this target value Tc_sv is also referred to as the target coke temperature.

[0065] In the graph shown below FIG. 6, Tr(t s ) is the actual value of the hearth temperature Tr(t s ) at the start of unsteady operation. ΔTr1 is the change amount (°C) of the hearth temperature from the hearth temperature in the steady state immediately before the start of unsteady operation (= the hearth temperature at the start of unsteady operation) to the lowest hearth temperature during unsteady operation. In the following description, ΔTr1 is also referred to as the hearth temperature change amount at the start of unsteady operation. ΔTr2 is the change amount (°C) of the hearth temperature from the lowest hearth temperature during unsteady operation to the hearth temperature in the steady state immediately after the end of unsteady operation (= the hearth temperature at the end time of unsteady operation). In the following description, ΔTr2 is also referred to as the hearth temperature change amount at the end of unsteady operation.

[0066] Also, in the graph shown below Fig. 6, time1 is the time (hr) required for the hearth temperature to change from the hearth temperature in the steady state just before the start of the non-steady operation to the lowest hearth temperature during the non-steady operation. In the following description, this time time1 is also referred to as the minimum furnace temperature reach time time1. time2 is the time (hr) during which the hearth temperature maintains the lowest hearth temperature during the non-steady operation. In the following description, this time time2 is also referred to as the minimum furnace temperature maintenance time time2. time0 is the period (hr) of the non-steady operation. And the start time t s to the end time t e of the solid line graph shown is the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref.

[0067] In this embodiment, a case is exemplified in which the period from the start of the non-steady operation on the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref until the hearth temperature reaches the lowest hearth temperature is defined as the first phase. Also, in this embodiment, a case is exemplified in which the period during which the hearth temperature maintains the lowest hearth temperature on the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref is defined as the second phase. Also, in this embodiment, a case is exemplified in which the time required for the hearth temperature to change from the lowest hearth temperature to the hearth temperature in the steady state immediately after the end of the non-steady operation on the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref is defined as the third phase. In Fig. 6, t s1 , t s2 , t s3 are the start times of the first phase, the second phase, and the third phase, respectively. In this embodiment, a case is exemplified in which the information defining such each phase is acquired by the acquisition unit 511 before the processing of the target process amount determination unit 512 starts.

[0068] For example, based on the already determined target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref (for example, the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref determined at the start time t s ), the target process amount determination unit 512 determines the start times t s1 , t s2 , t s3 to the end times t s2 , t s3 , t e of the first to third phases and the time zone t s1~t s2 、t s2 ~t s3 、t s3 ~t e is calculated. Note that the end time of each phase is equal to the start time of the next phase of that phase (however, the end time of the third phase, which is the last phase, is equal to the end time t e of the non-steady operation). Then, the target process amount determination unit 512 determines the time t m at which the target process amount trajectory is determined, and determines which time zone of which phase it is included in.

[0069] Also, in the present embodiment, an example is given in which the target process amount determination unit 512 calculates the optimal solution of the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref as shown in FIG. 6 by solving an optimization problem such as a combinatorial optimization problem, and determines the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref. In this case, the non-steady start furnace temperature change amount ΔTr1, the non-steady end furnace temperature change amount ΔTr2, the minimum furnace temperature arrival time time1, and the minimum furnace temperature maintenance time time2 become design variables (variables to be solved).

[0070] Also, in the present embodiment, an example is given in which the target process amount determination unit 512 calculates the value of the evaluation function J (fitness function) of the following formula (1) when satisfying the constraint formula of the following formula (2).

[0071]

Equation

[0072] Here, Tr_ref(t) is the value of the target furnace temperature trajectory at time t (the target value of the furnace temperature), Tr(t) is the predicted value of the furnace temperature at time t during non-steady operation, and in the present embodiment, it is calculated (determined) by the predicted value calculation unit 513. Tc(t e ) is the coke temperature Tc at the end of non-steady operation Tc(t e) is the predicted value, and in this embodiment, it is calculated (determined) by the predicted value calculation unit 513. Tc_sv is the target coke temperature. Q(t) is the predicted value of the input heat Q(t) at time t during unsteady operation, and in this embodiment, it is calculated (determined) by the predicted value calculation unit 513. Also, the integration range (range of t) of the first term and the third term on the right side of equation (1) is from t m to t e up to (t m ≦t≦t e ). t m is the time for determining the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref.

[0073] In the example shown in equation (1), Σ|Tr(t)-Tr_ref(t)| of the first term on the right side of equation (1) is an example of an evaluation index for the process quantity. Also, |Tc(t e )-Tc_sv| of the second term on the right side of equation (1) and Σ|Q(t)| of the third term on the right side of equation (1) are examples of evaluation indexes other than the evaluation index for the process quantity.

[0074] w1_n, w2_n, w3_n are the weighting factors for the respective evaluation indexes on the right side of equation (1), and are the weighting factors used when the phase corresponding to the time t m for determining the target process quantity trajectory is the n-th phase. In the following description, the weighting factors used when the phase corresponding to the time t m for determining the target process quantity trajectory is the n-th phase are, if necessary, referred to as the weighting factors of the n-th phase. n is an integer from 1 to N (see FIG. 2), and in the example shown in FIG. 6, n is an integer from 1 to 3. If N is 3 or more, the number of times the weighting factor can be changed after the start of unsteady operation can be made 2 or more. In this case, the weighting factors w1_n, w2_n, w3_n that match the state of the manufacturing process that changes moment by moment can be determined.

[0075] The target process quantity determination unit 512 selects the weight coefficients w1_n, w2_n, w3_n corresponding to the phase determined as described above and sets them in Equation (1). Note that Equation (1) in which the weight coefficients w1_n, w2_n, w3_n for each phase are set may be prepared in advance. In this case, the same number of Equation (1) as the number of phases is prepared in advance. In this case, the target process quantity determination unit 512 may select Equation (1) in which the weight coefficients w1_n, w2_n, w3_n corresponding to the phase determined as described above are set. In the present embodiment, an example is illustrated in which the processing device 520 determines the weight coefficients w1_n, w2_n, w3_n for each phase as described above before the processing of the processing device 510 starts. Further, in the present embodiment, an example is illustrated in which the acquisition unit 511 acquires the weight coefficients w1_n, w2_n, w3_n before the processing of the target process quantity determination unit 512 starts. An example of a method for determining the weight coefficients w1_n, w2_n, w3_n in the processing device 520 will be described later.

[0076] In the present embodiment, the target process quantity determination unit 512 determines the target process quantity trajectory from the time t m when the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref is determined to the end time t e of the non-steady operation ((the integration range (the range of t) of the first term and the third term on the right side of Equation (1) is the range from t m to t e ). Therefore, when the time t m when the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref is determined is a time after the start time t s of the non-steady operation, the design variables (variables to be solved) are changed as follows, for example.

[0077] First, when the phase determined as described above is the first phase, the design variables are changed as follows. The non-steady start furnace temperature change amount ΔTr1 illustrated in FIG. 6 is the time t when the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref is determined mIt is changed to the change amount (°C) of the hearth temperature from the hearth temperature at the time of non-steady operation to the lowest hearth temperature during non-steady operation. Also, the minimum furnace temperature arrival time time1 in the calculation of equation (1) is the time t when the hearth temperature determines the target hearth temperature trajectory Tr_ref m It is changed to the time (hr) required for the hearth temperature to change from the hearth temperature at the time of non-steady operation to the lowest hearth temperature during non-steady operation. The minimum furnace temperature arrival time time1 in the calculation of equation (2) is the start time t of non-steady operation s (=t s1 ) to the time t when the target hearth temperature trajectory Tr_ref is determined m The time from to, and the minimum furnace temperature arrival time time1 (the time required for the hearth temperature to change from the hearth temperature at the time t when the target hearth temperature trajectory Tr_ref is determined m to the lowest hearth temperature during non-steady operation) in the calculation of equation (1) are added (that is, time1=(t m -t s1 )+(t s2 -t m )=t s2 -t s1 ). Note that at the start of the first phase, the hearth temperature at the time t when the target hearth temperature trajectory Tr_ref is determined m is the hearth temperature in the steady state immediately before the start of non-steady operation (= the hearth temperature at the start time t of non-steady operation s (=t s1 )), and t m =t s (=t s1 ).

[0078] When the phase determined as described above is the second phase, the design variables are changed as follows. First, the non-steady start furnace temperature change amount ΔTr1 and the minimum furnace temperature arrival time time1 illustrated in FIG. 6 are excluded from the design variables. Also, the minimum furnace temperature maintenance time time2 in the calculation of equation (1) is (not the start time t of non-steady operation) the time t when the target hearth temperature trajectory Tr_ref is determined s but mis changed to the time (hr) starting from. (2) In the calculation of the formula, the sum of the minimum furnace temperature reaching time time1 and the minimum furnace temperature maintaining time time2 (= time1 + time2) is the start time t of the non-steady operation s to the time t when the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref is determined m up to, and the minimum furnace temperature maintaining time time2 in the calculation of the formula (1) (the time from the time t when the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref is determined m to the time when the furnace mass temperature finishes maintaining the minimum furnace mass temperature during non-steady operation) is changed to the added time (that is, time1 + time2 = (t m - t s1 ) + (t s3 - t m ) = t s3 - t s1 ).

[0079] When the phase determined as described above is the third phase, the design variables are changed as follows. First, the non-steady start furnace temperature change amount ΔTr1, the minimum furnace temperature reaching time time1, and the minimum furnace temperature maintaining time time2 are excluded from the design variables. Also, the non-steady end furnace temperature change amount ΔTr2 in the calculation of the formula (1) is the furnace mass temperature at the time t m from, to the change amount (°C) of the furnace mass temperature from the furnace mass temperature at the start of non-steady operation to the furnace mass temperature in the steady state immediately after the end of non-steady operation (= the furnace mass temperature at the end time of non-steady operation). Also, it is not necessary to use the constraint formula of the formula (2). Also, time1 and time2 in the calculation of the formula (2) may be used as the already calculated values (for example, the values of the latest target process amount trajectory).

[0080] Note that in the example shown in the formula (1), the smaller the value of each term on the right side of the formula (1), the higher the evaluation by each evaluation index. Therefore, the closer the value of the evaluation function J is to 0, the more preferable it is. That is, the target process amount determination unit 512 searches for the design variable that minimizes the value of the evaluation function J (in the range of 0 or more) within the range that satisfies the constraint formula of the formula (2) as the optimal solution. As described above, in this embodiment, the start time t of the non-steady operation sWhen determining the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref, the design variables are the furnace temperature change amount ΔTr1 at the start of the unsteady state, the furnace temperature change amount ΔTr2 at the end of the unsteady state, the minimum furnace temperature reaching time time1, and the minimum furnace temperature maintaining time time2 (see Fig. 6). On the other hand, when determining the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref at a time after the time t s than, the design variables when determining the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref are the furnace temperature change amount ΔTr1 at the start of the unsteady state, the furnace temperature change amount ΔTr2 at the end of the unsteady state, the minimum furnace temperature reaching time time1, and the minimum furnace temperature maintaining time time2, which are changed as described above.

[0081] Note that the design variables that maximize the value of the evaluation function may be searched for as the optimal solution. In this case, for example, the product of multiplying each term on the right side of Equation (1) by (-1) is used as the evaluation function. The target process quantity determination unit 512 searches for the design variables that maximize the value of the evaluation function J as the optimal solution within the range that satisfies the constraint equations of Equation (2).

[0082] Next, an example of the function of the predicted value calculation unit 513 will be described. In the present embodiment, the predicted value calculation unit 513 calculates the predicted value Tr(t) of the furnace burden temperature during unsteady operation and the predicted value Tc(t e ) of the coke temperature at the end of unsteady operation, which is an example of a physical quantity representing the coking state of the coke. Further, in the present embodiment, an example is illustrated in which the predicted value calculation unit 513 calculates the predicted value Tr(t) of the furnace burden temperature during unsteady operation based on the first influence factor. The first influence factor is a factor that affects the predicted value of the furnace burden temperature during unsteady operation. Further, in the present embodiment, an example is illustrated in which the predicted value calculation unit 513 calculates the predicted value Tc(t e ) of the coke temperature at the end of unsteady operation based on the second influence factor. The second influence factor is a factor that affects the predicted value of the coke temperature at the end of unsteady operation.

[0083] The predicted value calculation unit 513 of the present embodiment includes a furnace state calculation unit 513a and an input heat amount calculation unit 513b. In the following description, as necessary, the input heat amount to the combustion chamber 3 is abbreviated as the input heat amount, the coke temperature at the end of the unsteady operation is abbreviated as the coke temperature, and the hearth temperature during the unsteady operation is abbreviated as the hearth temperature.

[0084] The input heat amount calculation unit 513b calculates the predicted value Q(t + Δt) at time t + Δt after Δt hours as the predicted value of the input heat amount at which the difference between the candidate of the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref output from the target process amount determination unit 512 and the predicted value of the hearth temperature calculated by the furnace state calculation unit 513a becomes small (preferably zero).

[0085] The furnace state calculation unit 513a calculates the predicted value Tr(t + Δt) of the hearth temperature at time t + Δt using the predicted value Q(t + Δt) of the input heat amount at time t + Δt calculated by the input heat amount calculation unit 513b.

[0086] The predicted value calculation unit 513 outputs the predicted value Q(t + Δt) of the input heat amount and the predicted value Tr(t + Δt) of the hearth temperature at time t + Δt, which are determined as described above, to the target process amount determination unit 512. Then, time t is shifted backward by Δt hours every Δt hours from time t m +Δt to t e -Δt, and the above-described calculation of the predicted value Q(t + Δt) of the input heat amount and the predicted value Tr(t + Δt) of the hearth temperature is repeated. As a result, at each time every Δt hours from time t m +Δt to t e the predicted value Q(t + Δt) of the input heat amount and the predicted value Tr(t + Δt) of the hearth temperature are determined. When the predicted value Tr(t e ) of the hearth temperature at the end time t of the unsteady operation is determined, the furnace state calculation unit 513a calculates and determines the predicted value Tc(t e ) of the coke temperature at the end of the unsteady operation using the predicted value. The predicted value calculation unit 513 determines the predicted value Tc(t e ) of the coke temperature as described above. e) is output to the target process amount determination unit 512.

[0087] Based on the predicted value Q(t + Δt) of the input heat amount, the predicted value Tr(t + Δt) of the hearth temperature, and the predicted value Tc(t of the coke temperature calculated (determined) by the predicted value calculation unit 513, the target process amount determination unit 512 determines the target furnace temperature trajectory using a meta-heuristic method such as a genetic algorithm, for example. In this case, the target process amount determination unit 512 uses the candidate of the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref output to the predicted value calculation unit 513 and the predicted value Q(t), the predicted value Tr(t) of the hearth temperature, and the predicted value Tc(t of the coke temperature calculated (determined) by the predicted value calculation unit 513 for the candidate of the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref. e ) to calculate the value of the evaluation function J (fitness function) of Equation (1) when the constraint equation of Equation (2) is satisfied. Then, the target process amount determination unit 512 determines the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref determined by the design variables when the value of the evaluation function J is the minimum among the values of the evaluation function J for the candidates of the plurality of target furnace temperature trajectories Tr_ref calculated when the convergence condition is satisfied as the optimal solution of the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref. e As described above, the weighting coefficient and the design variable of Equation (1) are changed according to which phase the phase corresponding to the time t for determining the target furnace temperature trajectory is.

[0088] m

[0089] Figure 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref before and after determination. In Figure 7, Tr_ref_old indicates the target furnace temperature trajectory determined at the start time t of the unsteady operation. In Figure 7, Tr_mes indicates the actual furnace temperature trajectory that is the actual value of the hearth temperature Tr(t).

[0090] s In Figure 7, the case where the phase corresponding to the time t for determining the target process amount trajectory Tr_ref is the second phase is illustrated (t m s2 m ≦ t ≦ t ≦ t ≦ t ≦ t ≦ ts3 )。 In this case, the amount of change in furnace temperature ΔTr1 and the minimum furnace temperature arrival time time1 at the start of the transient operation are not included in the design variables.

[0091] Also, the minimum furnace temperature arrival time time1_old is given as a constant to time1 on the left side of the constraint equation in Equation (2). Also, the minimum furnace temperature maintenance time time2, which is a design variable, is the time t when the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref is determined m from the time until the time time2_new (design variable) when the minimum furnace temperature during transient operation is maintained until the furnace temperature stops being maintained.

[0092] Also, time2 on the left side of Equation (2) is the time from the start time t of the transient operation s to the time t when the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref is determined m up to the time time2_new (constraint equation) obtained by adding the minimum furnace temperature maintenance time time2_new (design variable). Also, the transient operation period time0_new and the amount of change in furnace temperature ΔTr2_new at the end of the transient operation are design variables. Also, at time t m the end time t of the transient operation in the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref_new determined at e is changed to time t e_new .

[0093] In the technologies described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the integration range (range of t) of the first and third terms on the right side of Equation (1) is from t s (=t s1 ) to t e up to (t s1 ≦t≦t e ). Therefore, the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref_new determined at a timing during the transient operation is affected by the actual furnace temperature trajectory Tr_mes. In contrast, in the present embodiment, the integration range (range of t) of the first and third terms on the right side of Equation (1) is from t m to t e up to (t m ≦t≦t e_new) Therefore, the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref_new can be determined without being affected by the actual furnace temperature trajectory Tr_mes. After determining the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref_new, the start time t s3 of the third phase in the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref_old may be updated to the start time of the third phase in the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref_new.

[0094] The control unit 514 generates and outputs a control signal for setting the input heat amount to the combustion chamber 3 to an amount of heat corresponding to the difference between the target furnace temperature trajectory determined by the target process amount determination unit 512 and the actual value of the furnace temperature. For example, the control unit 514 calculates the input heat amount to the combustion chamber 3 at a time Δt hours after the current time in the same manner as the input heat amount calculation unit 513b calculates the predicted value of the input heat amount. As the output destination of the control signal, a control device of an actuator that operates the regulating valve 5 is exemplified. The control device instructs the actuator to operate the regulating valve 5 to an opening degree according to the control signal.

[0095] <Processing device 520> The processing device 520 performs a process of determining weight coefficients w1_n, w2_n, and w3_n for a plurality of evaluation indicators including an evaluation indicator for a process amount that is an amount capable of acquiring an actual value in the manufacturing process. In the present embodiment, a case where the processing device 520 determines the weight coefficients w1_n, w2_n, and w3_n for each of a plurality of phases (the first to the nth phases) is exemplified.

[0096] In the example shown in FIG. 6, n is an integer from 1 to 3. As described above, in this embodiment, the case where the process quantity is the furnace temperature (the temperature of the combustion chamber 3) is exemplified. Further, in this embodiment, the case where the weight coefficient is determined using the method described in Patent Document 1 is exemplified, and the case where the weight coefficients for a plurality of evaluation indices included in the evaluation function used by the processing device 520 to solve the optimization problem are determined by inverse reinforcement learning is exemplified. Therefore, in the description of this embodiment, only the outline of the matters described in Patent Document 1 will be explained, and the detailed explanation will be omitted. Note that the method for determining the weight coefficient is not limited to the method described in Patent Document 1. For example, a method such as the least squares method may be used to determine the weight coefficient.

[0097] In FIG. 5B, in this embodiment, the case where the processing device 520 includes a calculation unit 521, a weight coefficient determination unit 522, an evaluation index determination unit 523, a storage unit 524, and an output unit 525 is exemplified. Note that the storage unit 524 may be provided outside the processing device 520.

[0098] The calculation unit 521 calculates a calculated value (optimal solution) of a design variable that is the object to be solved of the optimization problem by the algorithm of the optimization problem. In this embodiment, the case where the calculation unit 521 further includes an acquisition unit 511, a target process quantity determination unit 512, and a predicted value calculation unit 513 is exemplified.

[0099] The functions of the processing device 520 (calculation unit 521) are the same as the functions of the acquisition unit 511, the target process quantity determination unit 512, and the predicted value calculation unit 513 of the processing device 510. However, when determining the weight coefficients w1_n, w2_n, and w3_n for the nth phase, the integration range (the range of t) of the first and third terms on the right side of equation (1) is from the start time t sn to the end time t e of the non-steady operation (t sn ≦t≦t e)). Figures 8(a), 8(b), and 8(c) show an example of the integration range (range of t) of the first and third terms on the right side of equation (1) when determining the weight coefficients w1_1, w2_1, w3_1 of the first phase, the weight coefficients w1_2, w2_2, w3_2 of the second phase, and the weight coefficients w1_3, w2_3, w3_3 of the third phase.

[0100] Further, the calculation unit 521 calculates the calculated values Tr_sim(t), Tc_sim(t e ) and Q(t)_sim(t) of the furnace group temperature, coke temperature, and input heat amount by varying the values of the weight coefficients w1_n, w2_n, and w3_n.

[0101] The weight coefficient determination unit 522 determines the weight coefficients used for calculating a plurality of evaluation indices at a timing before the start timing of the non-steady operation and the weight coefficients used for calculating a plurality of evaluation indices at a timing during the non-steady operation. In the present embodiment, an example in which the weight coefficient determination unit 522 determines the weight coefficients w1_n, w2_n, and w3_n for each of a plurality of phases (first to nth phases) is illustrated.

[0102] The weight coefficient determination unit 522 calculates the value of a differential evaluation index that evaluates the difference between the calculated values of a plurality of evaluation indices and the preset optimum values of the evaluation indices, and determines the values of the weight coefficients w1_n, w2_n, and w3_n based on the calculated value of the differential evaluation index. For example, the weight coefficient determination unit 522 uses the sum of the differential evaluation indices for each evaluation index as an evaluation function, and determines the values of the weight coefficients by using a metaheuristic method such as a genetic algorithm. Also, to distinguish it from the evaluation function J in equation (1), the evaluation function is also referred to as a differential evaluation function. The weight coefficient determination unit 522 determines whether the calculated values of the evaluation indices calculated by varying the values of the weight coefficients w1_n, w2_n, and w3_n by the calculation unit 521 are the calculated values of the evaluation indices when the value of the differential evaluation function is minimized or maximized.

[0103] Then, the weight coefficient determination unit 522 determines the weight coefficients w1_n, w2_n, and w3_n set for the evaluation function J that is the calculation source of the calculated value of the evaluation index when the value of the difference evaluation function is minimized or maximized, as the optimal solutions of the weight coefficients w1_n, w2_n, and w3_n.

[0104] In this embodiment, the weight coefficient determination unit 522 determines the optimal solutions of the above weight coefficients w1_n, w2_n, and w3_n for each of a plurality of phases (first to nth phases). Also, in this embodiment, as an example of the difference evaluation function J_dif_n, the case of using the following equation (3) is exemplified.

[0105]

Equation

[0106] (3) |Tr_sim(t) - Tr_ope(t)|, |Tc_sim(t e ) - Tc_ope(t e )|, |Q(t)_sim(t) - Q_ope(t)| in the first to third terms on the right side of the equation are examples of difference evaluation indicators.

[0107] (3) Tr_ope(t), Tc_ope(t e ) and Q_ope(t) in the first to third terms on the right side of the equation are respectively the actual values of the hearth temperature, coke temperature, and input heat, which are examples of the optimal values of the above evaluation indicators. The actual values Tr_ope(t), Tc_ope(t e ) and Q_ope(t) of the hearth temperature, coke temperature, and input heat are, for example, when in actual operation, a skilled operator manually operates the opening degree of the regulating valve 5 during unsteady operation (from the start time t s to the end time t e ) to produce coke of a desired quality. In this embodiment, the actual values Tr_ope(t), Tc_ope(t e) An example is given where Q_ope(t) is stored in the storage unit 524 before the processing of the calculation unit 521 and the weight coefficient determination unit 522 starts.

[0108] The Tr_sim(t), Tc_sim(t of the first to third terms on the right side of equation (3) e ) and Q(t)_sim(t) are respectively the calculated values of the hearth temperature, coke temperature, and input heat quantity calculated by the calculation unit 521. In the present embodiment, the calculation unit 521 calculates the values when the value of the evaluation function J in equation (1) is minimized within the range that satisfies the constraint equation in equation (2) as the calculated values Tr_sim(t), Tc_sim(t of the hearth temperature, coke temperature, and input heat quantity e ) and Q(t)_sim(t). Note that the calculated values Tr_sim(t), Tc_sim(t of the hearth temperature, coke temperature, and input heat quantity e ) and Q(t)_sim(t) may be those calculated together with the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref used for the control by the control unit 514.

[0109] When determining the weight coefficients w1_n, w2_n, and w3_n for the nth phase, the integration range (the range of t) of the first and third terms on the right side of equation (3) is from the start time t of the nth phase sn to the end time t of the non-steady operation e up to (t sn ≤ t ≤ t e ).

[0110] When the absolute value of the optimal solution of the weight coefficients w1_n, w2_n, and w3_n determined by the weight coefficient determination unit 522 is less than or equal to a positive threshold, the evaluation index determination unit 523 determines the evaluation index multiplied by the optimal solution of the weight coefficient as an evaluation index not included in the evaluation function J. On the other hand, when the absolute value of the optimal solution of the weight coefficients w1_n, w2_n, and w3_n determined by the weight coefficient determination unit 522 exceeds the positive threshold, the evaluation index determination unit 523 determines the evaluation index as an evaluation index included in the evaluation function J. A value close to 0 (zero) or 0 (zero) is preset as the positive threshold. For example, when the absolute value of the optimal solution of the weight coefficients w1_n, w2_n, and w3_n determined by the weight coefficient determination unit 522 is less than or equal to the positive threshold, the evaluation index determination unit 523 sets (changes) the weight coefficient to 0 (zero), thereby determining the evaluation index multiplied by the optimal solution of the weight coefficient as an evaluation index not included in the evaluation function J. On the other hand, when the absolute value of the optimal solution of the weight coefficients w1_n, w2_n, and w3_n determined by the weight coefficient determination unit 522 exceeds the positive threshold, the evaluation index determination unit 523 does not change the optimal solution of the weight coefficient, thereby determining the evaluation index multiplied by the optimal solution of the weight coefficient as an evaluation index included in the evaluation function J. Note that the processing device 520 may not include the evaluation index determination unit 523.

[0111] The storage unit 524 stores information that needs to be preset before the processing by the calculation unit 521 and the weight coefficient determination unit 522 starts, as information necessary for the processing by the calculation unit 521, the weight coefficient determination unit 522, and the evaluation index determination unit 523.

[0112] The output unit 525 outputs information indicating the content determined by the weight coefficient determination unit 522 and the evaluation index determination unit 523. For example, when the evaluation index determination unit 523 sets (changes) the optimal solutions of the weight coefficients w1_n, w2_n, and w3_n determined by the weight coefficient determination unit 522 to 0 (zero), for the optimal solutions of the weight coefficients w1_n, w2_n, and w3_n that were not changed by the evaluation index determination unit 523, the information on the optimal solutions of the weight coefficients w1_n, w2_n, and w3_n determined by the weight coefficient determination unit 522 is output, and for the optimal solutions of the weight coefficients w1_n, w2_n, and w3_n that were changed by the evaluation index determination unit 523, information indicating that the weight coefficients are set to 0 (zero) is output. As forms of output, at least one of display on a computer display, transmission to an external device, and storage in a storage medium inside or outside the processing device 520 is exemplified.

[0113] [Flowchart] Next, an example of a processing method (a processing method for determining a weight coefficient) performed using the processing device 520 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 9A. It is assumed that information that needs to be preset before the processing by the calculation unit 521, the weight coefficient determination unit 522, and the evaluation index determination unit 523 starts is stored in the storage unit 524 before the flowchart of FIG. 9A starts.

[0114] In step S901, the processing device 520 sets "1" as the variable n for designating a phase.

[0115] Next, in step S901, the weight coefficient determination unit 522 reads and acquires the actual values Tr_ope(t), Tc_ope(t e ) of the hearth temperature, coke temperature, and input heat Q_ope(t) from the storage unit 524. For the actual value Tr_ope(t) of the hearth temperature and the actual value Q_ope(t) of the input heat, from the start time t sn of the nth phase to the end time t e of the non-steady operation, the time in the range (t sn ≤ t ≤ t eIt is only necessary to obtain the actual values regarding s from the start time t of the non-steady operation e to the end time t of the non-steady operation. s (t e ≦t≦t). The actual values regarding this range may be obtained.

[0116] Next, in step S902, the calculation unit 521 and the weight coefficient determination unit 522 calculate the optimal solutions of the weight coefficients w1_n, w2_n, and w3_n. At this time, the calculation unit 521 sets the integration range (the range of t) in equation (1) as the range from the start time t sn of the n-th phase to the end time t e of the non-steady operation, and calculates the calculated values Tr_sim(t), Tc_sim(t e ) of the hearth temperature, coke temperature, and input heat amount Q(t)_sim(t). Also, the weight coefficient determination unit 522 calculates the differential evaluation function J_dif_n with the integration range (the range of t) in equation (3) being the range from the start time t sn of the n-th phase to the end time t e of the non-steady operation.

[0117] Next, in step S903, the evaluation index determination unit 523 determines the evaluation indices to be included in the evaluation function J. Next, in step S904, the processing device 520 determines whether the variable n is equal to N. In the examples of equations (1) and (3), N is 3. As a result of the determination in step S904, if the variable n is not equal to N (NO in step S904), the process of step S905 is performed. In step S905, the processing device 520 adds "1" to the variable n to update the variable n. Then, with the value of the variable n being the value updated in step S905, the processes of steps S902 to S903 are performed.

[0118] And as a result of the determination in step S904, if the variable n is equal to N (YES in step S904), the weight coefficients w1_n, w2_n, and w3_n for the first phase to the n-th phase are determined. In this case, the process of step S905 is performed.

[0119] In step S906, the output unit 525 outputs information indicating the content determined by the weight coefficient determination unit 522 and the evaluation index determination unit 523. When the process of step S906 ends, the process according to the flowchart of FIG. 9A ends.

[0120] Next, an example of a processing method (a processing method for determining a target furnace temperature trajectory) performed using the processing device 510 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 9B. Note that the flowchart of FIG. 9B starts after the process according to the flowchart of FIG. 9A ends. Also, before the flowchart of FIG. 9B starts, it is assumed that the information acquisition unit 511 has acquired the information that needs to be set in advance in the target process amount determination unit 512 and the predicted value calculation unit 513. Further, the flowchart of FIG. 9B is repeatedly performed, for example, at the control cycle Δt of the coke oven 1. Here, for simplicity of explanation, the description of the process during steady operation (when not in non-steady operation) is omitted.

[0121] In step S911, the processing device 510 determines whether or not it is the timing at which non-steady operation starts. Whether or not it is the timing at which non-steady operation starts may be determined, for example, based on a command from a higher-level computer that manages the operation of the manufacturing process, or may be determined based on an input operation of an operator to the processing device 510. Here, for simplicity of explanation, an example is illustrated in which non-steady operation starts at a timing synchronized with the control cycle Δt of the coke oven 1. As a result of this determination, if it is the timing at which non-steady operation starts (YES in step S911), the process of step S912 is performed.

[0122] In step S912, the target process amount determination unit 512 determines the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref at the start time t s of the non-steady operation. The period of the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref (the integration range of the first and third terms on the right side of equation (1) (the range of t)) is from the start time t s (=t s1 ) of the non-steady operation to the end time t eis the period up to. Also, in step S912, the weight coefficients w1_1, w2_1, and w3_1 of the first phase are used.

[0123] Next, in step S913, the control unit 514 calculates the input heat amount to the combustion chamber 3 at the time Δt hours after the current time, and generates and outputs a control signal for making the input heat amount to the combustion chamber 3 at the time Δt hours after the current time calculated and the value of the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref determined by the target process amount determination unit 512 at the time Δt hours after the current time according to the difference therebetween. Note that the current time is the actual time when step S913 is executed. When the process of step S913 ends, the process according to the flowchart of FIG. 9B ends.

[0124] If, as a result of the determination in step S911, it is not the timing to start the unsteady operation (NO in step S911), the process of step S914 is performed. In step S914, the processing device 510 determines whether or not it is in the unsteady operation (whether or not the unsteady operation has already started). As a result of this determination, if it is not in the unsteady operation (NO in step S914), the process according to the flowchart of FIG. 9B ends. On the other hand, if it is in the unsteady operation (YES in step S914), the process of step S915 is performed.

[0125] As described above, for simplicity of explanation here, the unsteady operation is exemplified as starting at a timing synchronized with the control cycle Δt of the coke oven 1, and the flowchart of FIG. 9B is exemplified as being repeatedly performed at the control cycle Δt of the coke oven 1. Therefore, when it is determined YES in step S914, it means that the process of step S912 described above has been performed. Also, when the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref used at the start time t s of the unsteady operation is preset, the processes of steps S911 and S912 do not have to be performed.

[0126] And when it is in the non-steady operation state (YES in step S914), in step S915, the target process amount determination unit 512 determines the target value Tc_sv of the coke temperature at the end of the target non-steady operation and the end time t of the non-steady operation e of the predicted value Tc(t e ) of the coke temperature. It is determined whether the absolute value of the difference between them is less than or equal to the positive threshold Th. As a result of this determination, the target value Tc_sv of the coke temperature at the end of the target non-steady operation and the end time t e of the predicted value Tc(t e ) of the coke temperature. If the absolute value of the difference between them is less than or equal to the positive threshold Th (YES in step S915), the determination in step S915 is performed again.

[0127] And in step S915, when it is determined that the absolute value of the difference between the target value Tc_sv of the coke temperature at the end of the target non-steady operation and the predicted value Tc(t e at the end time t of the non-steady operation e ) is not less than or equal to the positive threshold Th (NO in step S915), it is determined to determine the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref, and the process of step S916 is performed. In step S916, the target process amount determination unit 512 determines whether the phase corresponding to the time t m when determining the target furnace temperature trajectory is the first phase. The time t m when determining the target furnace temperature trajectory is, for example, the determination time of step S915.

[0128] As a result of this determination, if the phase corresponding to the time t m when determining the target furnace temperature trajectory is the first phase (YES in step S916), the process of step S917 is performed. In step S917, the target process amount determination unit 512 sets the weight coefficients w1_1, w2_1, w3_1 of the first phase according to equation (1).

[0129] Next, in step S918, the target process amount determination unit 512 determines the time t mDetermine the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref after (the determination time of the immediately preceding step S915 of step S918). The period of the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref (the integration range of the first and third terms on the right side of equation (1) (the range of t)) is the time t at which the target furnace temperature trajectory is determined m (t s1 ≦t m <t s2 ) to the end time t e up to the period.

[0130] And, after the process of step S913 described above is performed, the process according to the flowchart of FIG. 9B ends. Note that in step S913, the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref determined in step S918 is used.

[0131] As a result of the determination in step S916, when the phase corresponding to the time t at which the target furnace temperature trajectory is determined m is not the first phase, (when NO in step S916), the process of step S919 is performed. In step S919, the target process amount determination unit 512 determines whether the phase corresponding to the time t at which the target furnace temperature trajectory is determined m is the second phase.

[0132] As a result of this determination, when the phase corresponding to the time t at which the target furnace temperature trajectory is determined m is the second phase (when YES in step S919), the process of step S920 is performed. In step S920, the target process amount determination unit 512 sets the weighting coefficients w1_2, w2_2, w3_2 of the second phase in equation (1).

[0133] Next, in step S921, the target process amount determination unit 512 determines the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref after (the determination time of the immediately preceding step S915 of step S921). The period of the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref (the integration range of the first and third terms on the right side of equation (1) (the range of t)) is the time t at which the target furnace temperature trajectory is determined m (t m (t s2 ≦tm <t s3 ) to the end time t e is the period up to.

[0134] And after the process of step S913 described above is performed, the process according to the flowchart of FIG. 9B ends. In step S913, the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref determined in step S921 is used.

[0135] As a result of step S919, when determining the target furnace temperature trajectory at time t m if the phase corresponding to is not the second phase (NO in step S919), the phase corresponding to the time t m when determining the target furnace temperature trajectory is determined to be the third phase, and the process of step S922 is performed. In step S922, the target process amount determination unit 512 sets the weight coefficients w1_3, w2_3, and w3_3 of the third phase according to equation (1).

[0136] Next, in step S923, the target process amount determination unit 512 determines the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref after the time t m (the determination time of the most recent step S915 of step S923). The period of the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref (the integration range of the first and third terms on the right side of equation (1) (the range of t)) is the time t m (t s3 ≦t m <t e ) to the end time t e is the period up to.

[0137] And after the process of step S913 described above is performed, the process according to the flowchart of FIG. 9B ends. In step S913, the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref determined in step S923 is used.

[0138] [Summary] As described above, in this embodiment, the processing device 510 is in the middle of non-steady operation (time t m (t s <tm <t e ), the weighting factors w1_n, w2_n, and w3_n that have already been determined before that timing are changed, and an evaluation function J including the changed weighting factors w1_n, w2_n, and w3_n is used to determine a target process quantity trajectory (for example, a target furnace temperature trajectory) after the timing during the non-steady operation. Therefore, even when the importance among a plurality of evaluation indices changes according to the timing of determining the target process quantity trajectory, the weighting factors w1_n, w2_n, and w3_n corresponding to the changed importance can be determined. Thus, the target process quantity trajectory after the non-steady operation is started can be brought closer to a value commensurate with the operation during the non-steady operation.

[0139] Also, in the present embodiment, the processing device 510 determines the target process quantity trajectory using the evaluation function J including the weighting factors w1_n, w2_n, and w3_n determined for the phase corresponding to the timing of determining the target process quantity trajectory. Therefore, it is possible to prepare a large number of sets of the weighting factors w1_n, w2_n, and w3_n and suppress the occurrence of sets of the weighting factors w1_n, w2_n, and w3_n that are not used.

[0140] Also, in the present embodiment, the processing device 510 determines the phase corresponding to the timing of determining the target process quantity trajectory based on the calculated value or the actual value of the time change of the process quantity after the non-steady operation is started. Therefore, the weighting factors w1_n, w2_n, and w3_n corresponding to the time change of the process quantity can be set.

[0141] Also, in the present embodiment, the processing device 510 determines the phase corresponding to the timing of determining the target process quantity trajectory based on the already determined target process quantity trajectory and the elapsed time since the non-steady operation was started. Therefore, for example, even when an unintended temporary fluctuation occurs in the process quantity due to an external disturbance or the like compared to the case where the actual value of the process quantity is used, it is possible to suppress setting the weighting factors w1_n, w2_n, and w3_n based on the fluctuation.

[0142] In addition, in the present embodiment, the processing device 510 determines whether to change the weight coefficients w1_n, w2_n, and w3_n based on the operating status of the manufacturing process during non-steady operation. Therefore, the weight coefficients w1_n, w2_n, and w3_n corresponding to the operating status of the manufacturing process during non-steady operation can be determined. If the operating status is quantitatively represented by using, for example, the time change of the process quantity, the weight coefficients w1_n, w2_n, and w3_n corresponding to the operating status of the manufacturing process during non-steady operation can be determined.

[0143] In addition, in the present embodiment, the processing device 510 periodically determines whether to change the weight coefficients w1_n, w2_n, and w3_n. Therefore, the weight coefficients w1_n, w2_n, and w3_n corresponding to the state of the manufacturing process that changes from moment to moment can be set.

[0144] In addition, in the present embodiment, the processing device 510 calculates a predicted value of the state quantity (for example, coke temperature) of the product or semi-finished product in the manufacturing process, and determines whether to change the weight coefficients w1_n, w2_n, and w3_n based on the difference between the calculated predicted value of the state quantity and the target value. Therefore, when the state of the product or semi-finished product in the manufacturing process deviates from the state that should be satisfied as the product or semi-finished product, the weight coefficients w1_n, w2_n, and w3_n can be changed.

[0145] In addition, in the present embodiment, the processing device 510 is at the timing during non-steady operation (time t m (t s <t m <t e )) Without using the actual value of the process quantity (for example, the hearth temperature (furnace temperature)) during the period from the start of non-steady operation to this timing, based on the predicted value of the process quantity after this timing, the target process quantity trajectory after this timing (for example, the target furnace temperature trajectory) is determined. Therefore, the influence received by the determined target process quantity trajectory from the actual value of the process quantity during non-steady operation can be reduced. Therefore, the target process quantity trajectory determined during non-steady operation can be made closer to a value suitable for subsequent operation.

[0146] In this embodiment, the processing device 510 periodically determines whether to determine a target process quantity trajectory (for example, a target furnace temperature trajectory). Therefore, it is possible to determine a target process quantity trajectory according to the state of the manufacturing process that changes moment by moment. If the period for determining whether to determine a target process quantity trajectory (for example, a target furnace temperature trajectory) is set to the control period of the manufacturing process, it is possible to determine a target process quantity trajectory that matches the state of the manufacturing process that changes moment by moment.

[0147] In this embodiment, the processing device 510 calculates a predicted value of the state quantity of a product or semi-finished product in the manufacturing process (for example, the coke temperature), and determines whether to determine a target process quantity trajectory based on the difference between the calculated predicted value of the state quantity and the target value. Therefore, when the state of the product or semi-finished product in the manufacturing process deviates from the state that should be satisfied as a product or semi-finished product, it is possible to determine a target process quantity trajectory.

[0148] [Other Modification Examples] Note that the embodiments of the present invention described above can be realized by a computer executing a program. Also, a computer-readable recording medium recording the program and a computer program product such as the program can also be applied as embodiments of the present invention. As the recording medium, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile memory card, a ROM, etc. can be used. Moreover, the embodiments of the present invention described above are merely examples of specific implementations in carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed in a limited manner by these. That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from its technical idea or its main features.

[0149] Note that the disclosure of the above embodiments is as follows, for example. [Disclosure 1] A processing device that determines a target process quantity, which is a target value of a process quantity obtained by operation in a manufacturing process, comprising target process quantity determination means for determining a target process quantity trajectory, which is a time change of the target process quantity during non-steady operation, using an evaluation function including a plurality of evaluation indices including an evaluation index for the process quantity and a weight coefficient for the evaluation index; the target process quantity determination means changes the weight coefficient that has already been determined before the timing during the non-steady operation, and determines the target process quantity trajectory after the timing using the changed weight coefficient. [Disclosure 2] the weight coefficient is determined for each of a plurality of phases that are periods obtained by dividing the period of the non-steady operation, the processing device according to Disclosure 1, wherein the target process quantity determination means determines the target process quantity trajectory using the weight coefficient determined for the phase corresponding to the timing of determining the target process quantity trajectory. [Disclosure 3] the processing device according to Disclosure 2, wherein the target process quantity determination means determines the phase corresponding to the timing of determining the target process quantity trajectory based on a calculated value or an actual value of the time change of the process quantity after the non-steady operation has started. [Disclosure 4] the calculated value of the time change of the process quantity after the non-steady operation has started includes the target process quantity trajectory already determined by the target process quantity determination means, the processing device according to Disclosure 3, wherein the target process quantity determination means determines the phase corresponding to the timing of determining the target process quantity trajectory based on the already determined target process quantity trajectory and the elapsed time since the non-steady operation started. [Disclosure 5] the processing device according to any one of Disclosures 1 to 4, wherein the target process quantity determination means determines whether to change the weight coefficient based on the operation status of the manufacturing process during the non-steady operation. [Disclosure 6] The operation status is represented by the change over time of the process quantity, and is the processing apparatus described in Disclosure 5. [Disclosure 7] The target process quantity determination means periodically determines whether to change the weight coefficient after the start of the non-steady operation, and changes the weight coefficient when it is determined to change the weight coefficient. The processing apparatus according to any one of Disclosures 1 to 6. [Disclosure 8] The processing apparatus further includes prediction value calculation means for calculating a prediction value including a predicted value of a state quantity of a product or a semi-finished product in the manufacturing process. The target process quantity determination means determines whether to change the weight coefficient based on the difference between the predicted value of the state quantity and the target value, and changes the weight coefficient when it is determined to change the weight coefficient. The processing apparatus according to any one of Disclosures 1 to 7. [Disclosure 9] The process quantity includes a state quantity of manufacturing equipment in the manufacturing process, and is the processing apparatus according to any one of Disclosures 1 to 8. [Disclosure 10] The state quantity of the manufacturing equipment includes a furnace temperature which is the temperature of a combustion chamber in a coke oven, and is the processing apparatus described in Disclosure 9. [Disclosure 11] A processing apparatus for determining weight coefficients for a plurality of evaluation indicators including an evaluation indicator for a process quantity obtained by an operation in a manufacturing process, The weight coefficient is a weight coefficient included in an evaluation function for determining a target process quantity trajectory which is a change over time of a target value of the process quantity during non-steady operation. A processing apparatus including weight coefficient determination means for determining the weight coefficient at a timing during non-steady operation. [Disclosure 12] The weight coefficient determination means determines the weight coefficient for each of a plurality of phases which are periods obtained by dividing the period of the non-steady operation. The processing apparatus described in Disclosure 11. [Disclosure 13] A processing method for determining a target process quantity which is a target value of a process quantity obtained by an operation in a manufacturing process, A target process quantity determination step of determining a target process quantity trajectory, which is the time change of the target process quantity during non-steady operation, using an evaluation function including a plurality of evaluation indices including an evaluation index for the process quantity and a weight coefficient for the evaluation index. The target process quantity determination step is a processing method of changing the weight coefficient that has already been determined before the timing during the non-steady operation, and determining the target process quantity trajectory after the timing using the changed weight coefficient. [Disclosure 14] A processing method for determining a weight coefficient for a plurality of evaluation indices including an evaluation index for a process quantity obtained by an operation in a manufacturing process, The weight coefficient is a weight coefficient included in an evaluation function for determining a target process quantity trajectory, which is the time change of the target value of the process quantity during non-steady operation. The processing method includes a weight coefficient determination step of determining the weight coefficient at a timing during non-steady operation. [Disclosure 15] A program for causing a computer to function as means of the processing apparatus according to any one of Disclosures 1 to 12.

Explanation of Signs

[0150] 1 Coke oven 2 Carbonization chamber 3 Combustion chamber 4 Furnace wall 5 Control valve 6 Thermometer 7 Extrusion ram 8 Thermometer 9 Guide car 110 Target process quantity trajectory 120 Predicted value of process quantity 130 Target process quantity trajectory after determination 510, 520 Processing apparatus 511 Acquisition unit 512 Target process quantity determination unit 513 Predicted value calculation unit 513a Furnace state calculation unit 513b Input Heat Calculation Unit 514 Control Unit 521 Calculation Unit 522 Weight Coefficient Determination Unit 523 Evaluation Index Determination Unit 524 Memory Unit 525 Output Unit t e End Time of Unsteady Operation t k Carbonization Time t m Time to Determine the Target Process Quantity Trajectory (Target Furnace Temperature Trajectory) t s Start Time of Unsteady Operation t s1 ~t sN Start Times of the First to Nth Phases t t Passing Time w 1_1 ~w u_1 、w 1_N ~w u_N Weight Coefficients of the First to Nth Phases T c Coke Temperature T r Hearth Temperature Tr_ref Target Furnace Temperature Trajectory Tr_mes Actual Furnace Temperature Trajectory Tr_sim Estimated Furnace Temperature Trajectory time0 Period of Unsteady Operation time1 Minimum Furnace Temperature Reaching Time time2 Minimum Furnace Temperature Maintaining Time ΔTr1 Furnace Temperature Change Amount at the Start of Unsteady State ΔTr2 Furnace Temperature Change Amount at the End of Unsteady State

Claims

1. A processing device for determining a target process quantity which is a target value of a process quantity obtained by operation in a manufacturing process, comprising: target process quantity determination means for determining a target process quantity trajectory which is a time change of the target process quantity during non-steady operation, using an evaluation function including a plurality of evaluation indicators including an evaluation indicator for the process quantity and a weight coefficient for the evaluation indicator; The target process quantity determination means changes the weight coefficient that has already been determined before the timing during the non-steady operation, and determines the target process quantity trajectory after the timing using the changed weight coefficient.

2. The weight coefficient is determined for each of a plurality of phases which are periods obtained by dividing the period of the non-steady operation, The target process quantity determination means determines the target process quantity trajectory using the weight coefficient determined for the phase corresponding to the timing of determining the target process quantity trajectory. The processing device according to claim 1.

3. The target process quantity determination means determines the phase corresponding to the timing of determining the target process quantity trajectory based on a calculated value or an actual value of the time change of the process quantity after the non-steady operation starts. The processing device according to claim 2.

4. The calculated value of the time change of the process quantity after the non-steady operation starts includes the target process quantity trajectory already determined by the target process quantity determination means, The target process quantity determination means determines the phase corresponding to the timing of determining the target process quantity trajectory based on the already determined target process quantity trajectory and the elapsed time since the non-steady operation started. The processing device according to claim 3.

5. The target process quantity determination means determines whether to change the weight coefficient based on the operation status of the manufacturing process during the non-steady operation. The processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The operation status is represented by a time change of the process quantity. The processing device according to claim 5.

7. The target process quantity determination means periodically determines whether to change the weight coefficient after the non-steady operation starts, and changes the weight coefficient when it is determined to change the weight coefficient. The processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

8. Further comprising prediction value calculation means for calculating a prediction value including the predicted value of the state quantity of the product or semi-finished product in the manufacturing process, The target process quantity determination means determines whether to change the weight coefficient based on the difference between the predicted value of the state quantity and the target value, and when it is determined to change the weight coefficient, the weight coefficient is changed. The processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

9. The process quantity includes the state quantity of the manufacturing equipment in the manufacturing process. The processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

10. The state quantity of the manufacturing equipment includes the furnace temperature which is the temperature of the combustion chamber in the coke oven. The processing apparatus according to claim 9.

11. A processing apparatus for determining weight coefficients for a plurality of evaluation indices including an evaluation index for a process quantity obtained by operation in a manufacturing process, The weight coefficient is a weight coefficient included in an evaluation function for determining a target process quantity trajectory which is a time change of the target value of the process quantity during non-steady operation, A processing apparatus comprising weight coefficient determination means for determining the weight coefficient at a timing during non-steady operation.

12. The weight coefficient determination means determines the weight coefficient for each of a plurality of phases which are periods obtained by dividing the period of the non-steady operation. The processing apparatus according to claim 11.

13. A processing method for determining a target process quantity which is a target value of a process quantity obtained by operation in a manufacturing process, Comprising a target process quantity determination step of determining a target process quantity trajectory which is a time change of the target process quantity during non-steady operation, using an evaluation function including a plurality of evaluation indices including an evaluation index for the process quantity and a weight coefficient for the evaluation index, In the target process quantity determination step, at a timing during the non-steady operation, the weight coefficient already determined before the timing is changed, and using the changed weight coefficient, the target process quantity trajectory after the timing is determined. Processing method.

14. A processing method for determining weight coefficients for a plurality of evaluation indices including an evaluation index for a process quantity obtained by operation in a manufacturing process, The weight coefficient is a weight coefficient included in an evaluation function for determining a target process quantity trajectory which is a time change of the target value of the process quantity during non-steady operation, A processing method comprising a weight coefficient determination step of determining the weight coefficient at a timing during non-steady operation.

15. A program for causing a computer to function as means of the processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 11.

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