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 determines, at timing in the course of an unsteady operation, a target processing amount locus after the timing (for example, a target furnace temperature locus) on the basis of an estimated value of the processing amount after the timing without using an actual value of the processing amount (for example, a furnace temperature) for a period of time from the start of the unsteady operation to the timing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5A

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a processing device, 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 match) 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. For this reason, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose changing the target value of the process quantity during non-steady operation after non-steady operation has started. Specifically, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose changing 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 the coke oven) when the operating conditions (the scheduled value of the carbonization time) that affect the determination of the target furnace temperature trajectory are changed during non-steady operation.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the technologies described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the target furnace temperature trajectory for the entire period of the non-steady operation is re-determined using the actual value of the process quantity (the temperature in the combustion chamber) from the start of the non-steady operation until the operating conditions are changed. Therefore, the target value after the operating conditions are changed is affected by the actual value of the process quantity before the change of the operating conditions. This influence becomes greater as the timing of changing the target value of the process quantity approaches the end of the non-steady operation. Thus, depending on the timing of changing the target value of the process quantity, there may be a case where the target values before and after the change hardly change. As described above, in the technologies described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the target value of the process quantity after the non-steady operation is started may deviate from a value commensurate with the operation during the non-steady operation.

[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 non-steady operation is started closer to a value commensurate with the operation during the non-steady operation.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] The processing apparatus of the present invention is a processing apparatus that determines a target process quantity that is a target value of a process quantity obtained by an operation in a manufacturing process, and includes target process quantity determination means for determining a target process quantity trajectory that is a time change of the target process quantity during non-steady operation. The target process quantity determination means determines the target process quantity trajectory after the timing based on a predicted value of the process quantity after the timing without using the actual value of the process quantity in the period from the start of the non-steady operation until the timing at a timing during the non-steady operation.

[0007] 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 includes a target process quantity determination step of determining, as a target process quantity trajectory that is a time change of the target process quantity, a target process quantity trajectory during non-steady operation at a timing during the non-steady operation. In the target process quantity determination step, at the timing during the non-steady operation, without using the actual value of the process quantity in the period from the start of the non-steady operation to the timing, based on the predicted value of the process quantity after the timing, the target process quantity trajectory after the timing is determined.

[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, without using the actual value of the process quantity in the period from the start of the non-steady operation to the timing, based on the predicted value of the process quantity after the timing, the target process quantity trajectory after the timing is determined. Therefore, the target process quantity trajectory can be determined without being affected by the actual value of the process quantity during non-steady operation. Thus, the target value of the process quantity after the start of non-steady operation can be made closer to a value commensurate with the operation during non-steady operation.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

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Figure 9B

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

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

[0013] In FIG. 1(a), as an example of the timing before the timing when the non-steady operation starts, a case where the target process amount trajectory 110 is determined at the start time t s of the non-steady operation is illustrated. By doing so, it is preferable because the target process amount 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 when 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 the present 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, for example, by using 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 of the non-steady operation s to the end time t e The target process amount trajectory 110 that minimizes the difference from the predicted value of the process amount during the period 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, at the start time t of the non-steady operation s Similar to the case of determining the target process amount trajectory at time t, from the start time t of the non-steady operation s to the end time t e The target process amount trajectory that minimizes the difference from the predicted value of the process amount during the period is determined by solving an optimization problem.

[0016] In the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the target process amount trajectory from the start time t of the non-steady operation s to the time t when the target process amount trajectory is determined m is assumed to match the actual value of the process amount (the black circles shown in FIG. 1(b)). Then, as the time t m when 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 amount trajectory at the timing during the non-steady operation, without using the actual value of the process amount 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 amount trajectory, based on the predicted value 120 of the process amount during the period from the time t m when determining the target process amount trajectory to the end time t e of the non-steady operation, an example of determining the target process amount trajectory 130 during this period is illustrated. In this way, the target process amount 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 amount trajectory 130 does not include the target value of the process amount from the time t m when determining the target process amount trajectory to the end time t e of the non-steady operation.

[0018] The determination of whether to determine the target process amount 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 amount trajectory. If the determination of whether to determine the target process amount trajectory is performed periodically, the target process amount trajectory corresponding to the state of the manufacturing process that changes moment by moment can be determined. The period when determining whether to determine the target process amount trajectory periodically is not limited. For example, if the period for determining the target process amount trajectory is set to the control period of the manufacturing process, the target process amount trajectory during the non-steady operation can be determined more efficiently.

[0019] Note that the period of the target process amount 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 amount 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 ) when determining the target process amount trajectory to the end time t e of the non-steady operation.

[0020] In addition, 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 that measures the state of the manufacturing equipment) as a physical quantity reflecting the state of the product or semi-finished product. Further, 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. 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 indicator 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 operation status of the manufacturing process during the non-steady operation, it may be determined whether to change the weight coefficient. The operation status is represented by, for example, 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 operation status is represented by the time change of the process quantity. Further, in this embodiment, a case where it is periodically determined whether to change the weight coefficient using the same determination criterion as that for determining whether to determine the target process quantity trajectory is exemplified.

[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 coefficients (sets) can be prepared, or the occurrence of unused weight coefficients (sets) can be suppressed.

[0025] Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a case is exemplified in which, 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 time change assumed 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 operation 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 Nth phase. In FIG. 2, an example is illustrated in which the Nth phase is the timing when the process quantity increases (the operating condition where the process quantity increases) at the timing of determining the target process quantity trajectory, and the phase corresponding to the timing when the process quantity increases is the Nth phase. The time t m when determining the target process quantity trajectory 130 shown in FIG. 1(b) is the time corresponding to the Nth phase, the weighting factors w1_N ··· wu_N are used for the determination of the target process quantity trajectory 130. Since the Nth 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 corresponding to the operating condition of the manufacturing process that changes moment by moment.

[0029] In FIG. 2, t s1 , t s2 , t sN are the start times of the first phase, the second phase, and the Nth phase, respectively. The end time of the nth phase coincides with the start time of the (n + 1)th phase. Also, the end time of the Nth 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 the character (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 the character (N) after the underscore (_) are for identifying 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, a target process quantity trajectory (for example, the target process quantity trajectory 110 determined at the start time t s of non-steady operation) and the elapsed time since the start of non-steady operation (the elapsed time since the start time t s of 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 non-steady operation), the time zones up to the start time and the end time of each phase of non-steady operation are calculated. Note that 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 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 (time differential value) per unit time 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 (time differential value) per unit time of the actual value of the process amount is a positive value and the absolute value of the time change (time differential value) of the actual value of the process amount per unit time 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 (time differential value) per unit time 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 (time differential value) per unit time of the actual value of the process amount at time t m when determining the phase corresponding to the timing of 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] [Overview 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, however, the control during non-steady operation of a coke oven will be described as an example. Therefore, first, an overview of the coke oven and the coke manufacturing process will be described

[0037] Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of a coke oven and a coke production process. Figure 4A is a diagram for explaining an example of the temperature of the furnace mass. Figure 4B is a diagram showing an example of the state in which coke is being pushed out from the carbonization chamber. In addition, Figures 4A and 4B show a perspective view of the interior. As shown in Figures 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 production process using the coke oven 1, the so-called block coke discharging method is adopted for the coke discharging and coal charging operation. The coke discharging and coal charging operation is an operation of pushing out coke from the carbonization chamber 2 by an extrusion ram 7 as shown in Fig. 4B, and then supplying coal to the carbonization chamber 2. In the block coke discharging method, all the carbonization chambers 2 are divided into Da (Da is an integer of 2 or more) rows, and the coke discharging 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 coke discharging and coal charging operation is carried out by the block coke discharging method with Da being 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 coke discharging and coal charging operation is carried out in order from the youngest carbonization chamber 2. For example, the coke discharging and coal charging operation for the carbonization chambers 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 coke discharging and coal charging order is, for example, in the order of row 1, row 3, row 5, row 2, row 4. The time from the timing when the coke discharging and coal charging operation is completed in a certain row to the timing when the coke discharging 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 coke discharging and coal charging operation is not limited to the block coke discharging method. For example, in the following description, if the rows (blocks) are treated as individual carbonization chambers 2, it can also be applied to the case where the coke discharging and coal charging operation is carried out in units of one carbonization chamber 2.

[0039] In addition, in the coke oven manufacturing process, furnace group control is executed to collectively adjust the input heat of the entire combustion chamber 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 the entire combustion chamber 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 the entire combustion chamber 3 is called the furnace group temperature. For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, thermometers 6 for measuring the ambient temperature of the combustion chamber 3 are installed in a plurality of combustion chambers 3 in the entire combustion chamber 3, and the average temperature of the combustion chamber 3 where the thermometer 6 is installed is taken as the furnace group temperature. Note that it is not necessary to collectively adjust the input heat of the entire combustion chamber 3. For example, when performing the coking charging operation in units of one carbonization chamber 2, a regulating valve and an actuator may be installed in each combustion chamber 3 to control the carbonization state (input heat) for each carbonization chamber 2.

[0040] Also, the thermometer 6 may be installed in each of the entire combustion chambers 3 or only in some of the combustion chambers 3. And, for example, thermometers 6 may be installed in all the combustion chambers 3, and the temperature of each combustion chamber 3 may be taken as the temperature (furnace temperature) of that combustion chamber 3. Further, 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 transported to the next process by the fire truck. 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. Further, FIG. 4B exemplifies a case where a thermometer 8 for measuring the temperature of the coke without contact is installed inside the guide car 9. The thermometer 8 is installed so as to face the passage of the coke inside the guide car 9 through a window 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 (at the time of extrusion) 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 exiting the carbonization chamber 2 in this manner 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 hearth 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 set is taken as the coke temperature.

[0042] The coking time is equal to the time required for the operation of discharging coke and charging coal to be carried out once for each of all Da(=5) routes. As described above, in the present embodiment, an example is given in which the coke temperature and the coking time are represented by representative values for each route. Therefore, the coke temperature and the coking time can be obtained when the operation of discharging coke and charging coal in one route is carried out. That is, the coke temperature and the coking time are obtained at the cycle of the route time. In the graphs of the coke temperature and the coking 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 route time t t becomes. In Fig. 4C, the route time t e at time t t (t e ) is exemplified. Note that the route time t t is generally a constant time, but may be different times.

[0043] When Da = 5, the coking time is equal to the time required for the operation of discharging coke and charging coal to be carried out once for each of all Da(=5) routes. Therefore, in the graphs of the coke temperature and the coking 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 coking time. In Fig. 4C, the coking time t e at time t k (t e ) is exemplified.

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

[0045] On the other hand, the hearth temperature and the input heat amount are obtained independently of the coke discharging and charging operation (refer to FIG. 4C, where plots (●) are attached to the graphs of the hearth temperature and the input heat amount even during the rest period). In the present embodiment, an example is illustrated where the actual values of the hearth temperature and the input heat amount are obtained at the control cycle of the coke oven 1 (the output cycle of the control signal in the control unit 514), the actual value of the coke temperature is obtained at the cycle of the passing time, and the scheduled value and the actual value of the carbonization time are obtained at the cycle of the passing time. Further, in the present embodiment, an example is illustrated where the predicted values of the hearth temperature, the input heat amount, and the coke temperature are calculated at the control cycle of the coke oven 1. Further, in the present embodiment, for the sake of simplicity of explanation, an example is illustrated where the start time or the end time of the control cycle of the coke oven 1 coincides with the start time of any of the passing times. Further, in the present embodiment, the control cycle of the coke oven 1 is denoted as Δt hours (hr). The control cycle Δt of the coke oven 1 is, for example, 1 hour, but is not limited to 1 hour and may be a longer cycle or a shorter cycle than 1 hour.

[0046] In FIG. 4C, time t s is an example of the start time of the non-steady operation, and time t e is an example of the end time of the non-steady operation. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the end time of the coke pushing operation on the passage Db passages before the start of the rest of the coke discharging and charging operation (charging into the carbonization chamber 2 and pushing out) is set as the start time t s of the non-steady operation. For example, when Db is 2, in FIG. 4C, the end time of the coke pushing operation on the passage two passages before the start of the rest period (the time of the second plot of the coke temperature counted from the start time of the rest period toward the past) 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 operation abnormality 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 operation of the coke oven in units as before and after the downtime.

[0047] In this embodiment, the end time of the coke extrusion operation in the (Da + 1)-th pass after the end of the downtime of the charging operation (charging and extrusion into the carbonization chamber 2) is the end time t of the non-steady operation e is exemplified. The start of the coke extrusion operation in the pass refers to the start of the coke extrusion operation in the carbonization chamber 2 where the coke extrusion operation is first performed among the carbonization chambers 2 belonging to the pass, and the end of the coke extrusion operation in the pass refers to the end of the coke extrusion operation in the carbonization chamber 2 where the coke extrusion operation is last performed among the carbonization chambers 2 belonging to the pass. When Da is 5, in FIG. 4C, the end time of the coke extrusion operation in the 6th pass after the end of the downtime (the time of the 6th coke temperature plot counted from the end time of the downtime towards the future) is the end time t of the non-steady operation e is. From the 1st pass to the Da-th pass (5th pass) 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 pass (6th pass) 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 this embodiment, the end time of the coke extrusion operation in the (Da + 1)-th pass (6th pass) after the end of the downtime of the charging 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 way of first performing the coke pushing-out operation 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 way after the end of the rest of the coke pushing-out operation (coking chamber 2 charging and extrusion). For example, the end time of the coke extrusion operation in the (Da + x)-th way after the end of the rest of the coke pushing-out operation (coking chamber 2 charging 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 a 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, an example is illustrated in which 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. 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), and execute various operations by executing one or more programs stored in the memory by the 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, the 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 by three or more devices.

[0052] <Processing device 510> The processing device 510 performs a process of determining a target process amount trajectory, which is a time change of a target process amount. In this embodiment, the case where the process amount is the furnace temperature (temperature of the combustion chamber 3), which is an example of the state amount of the manufacturing equipment in the manufacturing process, is illustrated. Further, in this embodiment, the case of determining a target furnace temperature trajectory as an example of the target process amount trajectory by using the methods described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 is illustrated. Therefore, in the description of this embodiment, only the outline of the matters described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 will be explained, and the detailed explanation 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) including the target value of the furnace mass temperature (furnace temperature) as an objective variable and including the influencing factors that affect the furnace mass 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 mass temperature during non-steady operation include, for example, the start time t of non-steady operation s The actual value of the previous input heat amount.

[0053] In FIG. 5A, in this embodiment, an example is illustrated in which 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 data used by the processing device 510. The data acquired by the acquisition unit 511 includes the actual values of operations from the present to the past, 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 have 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, an example is illustrated in which the process amount is the furnace temperature (furnace temperature). Therefore, in this embodiment, the target process amount determination unit 512 determines a target furnace temperature trajectory, which is a time change of the target furnace temperature that is the target value of the furnace temperature, as an example of the target process amount trajectory. Further, in this embodiment, an example is illustrated in which the target furnace temperature is the target furnace group temperature that is the target value of the furnace group temperature.

[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 at which non-steady operation starts. s and the start time t of non-steady operation s determines the target furnace temperature trajectory at each of the timings after that.

[0057] Also, in this embodiment, the target process amount determination unit 512 is the start time t of non-steady operation. sAt a timing later than that, 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 the 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 with 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 degree to which 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 a 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 coke produced during non-steady operation, the temperature of the furnace wall 4 during non-steady operation, etc. 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 the 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 prediction value calculation unit 513 and the predicted value of the coke temperature during unsteady operation calculated by the prediction value calculation unit 513. The prediction value calculation unit 513 will be described later.

[0062] Further, in the present embodiment, the target process amount determination unit 512 determines the target furnace temperature trajectory based on the already determined target furnace temperature trajectory and the elapsed time from the start time t s of the unsteady operation. An example is illustrated in which the phase corresponding to the time t m at which the target furnace temperature trajectory is determined is determined. 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 , but 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 unsteady operation to the lowest hearth temperature during the unsteady 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 unsteady 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 unsteady 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 where the period from the start of the unsteady 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 where 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 where 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 unsteady 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 where 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 hearth temperature (furnace temperature)), Tr(t) is the predicted value of the hearth temperature (furnace temperature) at time t during non-steady operation, and in the present embodiment, it is calculated (determined) by the prediction 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 when the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref is determined.

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

[0074] w1_n, w2_n, w3_n are the weighting factors for the respective evaluation indices 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, as 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 set to 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 amount determination unit 512 selects the weight coefficients w1_n, w2_n, and 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, and w3_n for each phase are set may be prepared in advance. In this case, the same number of equations (1) as the number of phases are prepared in advance. In this case, the target process amount determination unit 512 may also select equation (1) in which the weight coefficients w1_n, w2_n, and 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, and 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, and w3_n before the processing of the target process amount determination unit 512 starts. An example of a method for determining the weight coefficients w1_n, w2_n, and w3_n in the processing device 520 will be described later.

[0076] In the present embodiment, the target process amount determination unit 512 determines the target process amount 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 (range of t) of the first and third terms 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 mis changed to the change amount (°C) of the hearth temperature from the hearth temperature at the time of steady operation to the lowest hearth temperature during unsteady operation. Also, the minimum furnace temperature reaching time time1 in the calculation of Equation (1) is the time when the hearth temperature is at the time t when the target hearth temperature trajectory Tr_ref is determined m is changed to the time (hr) required for the hearth temperature to change from the hearth temperature at the time of steady operation to the lowest hearth temperature during unsteady operation. The minimum furnace temperature reaching time time1 in the calculation of Equation (2) is the start time t of unsteady operation s (= t s1 ) to the time t when the target hearth temperature trajectory Tr_ref is determined m and the minimum furnace temperature reaching time time1 in the calculation of Equation (1) (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 unsteady operation) are added together (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 unsteady operation (= the hearth temperature at the start time t of unsteady 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 unsteady start furnace temperature change amount ΔTr1 and the minimum furnace temperature reaching time time1 illustrated in FIG. 6 are excluded from the design variables. Also, the minimum furnace temperature maintaining time time2 in the calculation of Equation (1) is (not the start time t of unsteady operation) the time t when the target hearth temperature trajectory Tr_ref is determined s instead of) the time t when the target hearth temperature trajectory Tr_ref is determined mis changed to the time (hr) starting from. (2) The sum of the minimum furnace temperature reaching time time1 and the minimum furnace temperature maintaining time time2 in the calculation of the formula (= time1 + time2) is the start time t of the non-steady operation s to the time t at which the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref is determined m until, and the minimum furnace temperature maintaining time time2 in the calculation of the formula (1) (the time from the time t at which the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref is determined m to the time until 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 the furnace mass temperature to the furnace mass temperature in the steady state immediately after the end of the non-steady operation (= the furnace mass temperature at the end time of the non-steady operation) (°C). Also, the constraint formula of the formula (2) does not need to be used. 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 values 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. That is, the target process amount determination unit 512 searches for the design variables that minimize 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 reach time time1, and the minimum furnace temperature maintenance time time2 (see Fig. 6). On the other hand, at a time after the start time t of the unsteady operation s When 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 reach time time1, and the minimum furnace temperature maintenance 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 equation 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 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 influencing factor. The first influencing 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 influencing factor. The second influencing 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 time as the predicted value of the input heat amount at which the difference between the candidate of the target process amount 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 becomes 0 (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. And the time t is set to time t m +Δt~t e -Δt, and the process is repeated by shifting backward every Δt time as described above to calculate the predicted value Q(t+Δt) of the input heat amount and the predicted value Tr(t+Δt) of the hearth temperature. As a result, at each time every Δt time from time t m +Δt~t e until, 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 uses the predicted value to calculate and determine the predicted value Tc(t e ) of the coke temperature at the end of the unsteady operation. 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] The target process amount determination unit 512 is 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, which are calculated (determined) by the predicted value calculation unit 513. e ) to determine the target furnace temperature trajectory using a metaheuristic method such as a genetic algorithm. 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, which are 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 a plurality of candidates of the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref calculated when the convergence condition is satisfied as the optimal solution of the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref.

[0088] As described above, the weight coefficient and 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. m

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

[0090] In FIG. 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 ≦ t s2 ≦ t m ≦ t​​s3 )。 In this case, the amount of change in furnace temperature ΔTr1 at the start of unsteady operation and the minimum furnace temperature arrival time time1 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 to the time time2_new (design variable) from the time when the minimum furnace temperature during unsteady operation is maintained until the end of maintaining the furnace temperature.

[0092] Also, time2 on the left side of Equation (2) is changed to the time time2_new (constraint equation) obtained by adding the time from the start time t of unsteady operation s to the time t when the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref is determined m and the minimum furnace temperature maintenance time time2_new (design variable). Also, the period of unsteady operation time0_new and the amount of change in furnace temperature at the end of unsteady operation ΔTr2_new are design variables. Also, at time t m the end time t of unsteady 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 (the range of t) of the first term and the third term on the right side of Equation (1) is from t s (=t s1 ) to t e (t s1 ≦t≦t e ). Therefore, the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref_new determined at a timing during unsteady operation is affected by the actual furnace temperature trajectory Tr_mes. In contrast, in this embodiment, the integration range (the 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 (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 an output destination of the control signal, a control device of an actuator that operates the control valve 5 is exemplified. The control device instructs the actuator to operate the control valve 5 to have 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 indices including an evaluation index for a process amount that is an amount for which an actual value can be acquired 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 (first to 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 of determining the weighting factor using the method described in Patent Document 1 is exemplified, and the case of determining the weighting factors for a plurality of evaluation indices included in the evaluation function used by the processing device 520 to solve the optimization problem 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 weighting factor 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 weighting factor.

[0097] In FIG. 5B, in this embodiment, the case where the processing device 520 includes a calculation unit 521, a weighting factor 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 for 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 weighting factors w1_n, w2_n, and w3_n for the nth phase, the integration range (the range of t) of the first term and the third term on the right side of equation (1) is from the start time t of the nth phase sn to the end time t of the non-steady operation e up to the range (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 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, a case where 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 exemplified.

[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 optimal 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 differential 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 (the first to the nth phases). Also, in this embodiment, a case where, for example, the following formula (3) is used as the differential evaluation function J_dif_n is exemplified.

[0105]

Equation

[0106] |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 formula (3) are examples of differential evaluation indexes.

[0107] Tr_ope(t), Tc_ope(t e ) and Q_ope(t) in the first to third terms on the right side of formula (3) are respectively the actual values of the hearth temperature, the coke temperature, and the input heat amount, and are examples of the optimal values of the above-mentioned evaluation indexes. The actual values Tr_ope(t), Tc_ope(t e ) and Q_ope(t) of the hearth temperature, the coke temperature, and the input heat amount are, for example, when a skilled operator manually operates the opening degree of the regulating valve 5 during non-steady operation (from the start time t s to the end time t e ) of non-steady operation, and coke of desired quality is produced. 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 calculated by the calculation unit 521. In the present embodiment, the calculation unit 521 calculates the values of the hearth temperature, coke temperature, and input heat when the value of the evaluation function J of equation (1) becomes the minimum within the range that satisfies the constraint equation of equation (2) as the calculated values Tr_sim(t), Tc_sim(t e ) and Q(t)_sim(t). Note that the calculated values Tr_sim(t), Tc_sim(t e ) and Q(t)_sim(t) of the hearth temperature, coke temperature, and input heat 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 in the n-th 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 n-th phase sn to the end time t of the non-steady operation e (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) to determine 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 to determine 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 does not necessarily include the evaluation index determination unit 523.

[0111] The storage unit 524 stores information that needs to be preset in advance 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 have not been 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 have been changed by the evaluation index determination unit 523, information indicating that the weight coefficient is 0 (zero) is output. As a form 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 start of the processing by the calculation unit 521, the weight coefficient determination unit 522, and the evaluation index determination unit 523 is stored in the storage unit 524 before the start of the flowchart of FIG. 9A.

[0114] In step S901, the processing device 520 sets "1" as a 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 ) and Q_ope(t) of the hearth group temperature, the coke temperature, and the input heat amount from the storage unit 524. For the actual value Tr_ope(t) of the hearth group temperature and the actual value Q_ope(t) of the input heat amount, from the start time t sn of the nth phase to the end time t e of the non-steady operation, for the time 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

[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 formula (1) to the range from the start time t sn of the nth phase to the end time t e of the non-steady operation, and calculates the calculated values Tr_sim(t), Tc_sim(t e ) and Q(t)_sim(t) of the hearth temperature, coke temperature, and input heat amount. Also, the weight coefficient determination unit 522 sets the integration range (the range of t) in formula (3) to the range from the start time t sn of the nth phase to the end time t e of the non-steady operation, and calculates the differential evaluation function J_dif_n.

[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 formulas (1) and (3), N is 3. As a result of the determination in step S904, if the variable n is not 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 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 of the first phase to the nth 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 (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 repeated, 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 it is the timing at which non-steady operation starts. Whether 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 operator's input operation 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 that point. Also, in step S912, the weighting 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, which has been calculated, equal to the heat amount corresponding to the difference from 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. Note that the current time is the actual time when this 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 non-steady 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 non-steady operation (whether or not the non-steady operation has already started). As a result of this determination, if it is not in the non-steady operation (NO in step S914), the process according to the flowchart of FIG. 9B ends. On the other hand, if it is in the non-steady operation (YES in step S914), the process of step S915 is performed.

[0125] Note that, as described above, for simplicity of explanation here, the non-steady operation is exemplified as starting at a timing synchronized with the control period Δt of the coke oven 1, and the flowchart of FIG. 9B is exemplified as being repeatedly performed with the control period 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, if the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref used at the start time t s of the non-steady operation is preset, the processes of steps S911 and S912 may not 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 at, and determines whether the absolute value of the difference therebetween is less than or equal to the positive threshold Th. As a result of this determination, if 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 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, if 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 that the target furnace temperature trajectory Tr_ref is to be determined, 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 at which the target furnace temperature trajectory is determined is the first phase. The time t m at which the target furnace temperature trajectory is determined 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 at which the target furnace temperature trajectory is determined 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 weighting coefficients w1_1, w2_1, and 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 most recent 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 until 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 factors 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 most recent 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 the target furnace temperature trajectory is determined 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 at which the target furnace temperature trajectory is determined 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 in 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 immediately preceding 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 the present embodiment, the processing device 510 is at the timing during the non-steady operation (time t m (t s<t m <t e )) uses the predicted value of the process quantity after that timing instead of the actual value of the process quantity (for example, the temperature of the furnace charge (furnace temperature)) during the period from the start of the non-steady operation to that timing, and determines the target process quantity trajectory (for example, the target furnace temperature trajectory) after that timing based on the predicted value. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the influence of the target process quantity trajectory determined during the non-steady operation on the actual value of the process quantity during the non-steady operation. Thus, it is possible to bring the target process quantity trajectory after the start of the non-steady operation closer to a value commensurate with the operation during the non-steady operation.

[0139] Also, in the present embodiment, the processing device 510 periodically determines whether or not to determine the target process quantity trajectory (for example, the target furnace temperature trajectory). Therefore, it is possible to determine the target process quantity trajectory according to the state of the manufacturing process that changes moment by moment.

[0140] Also, in the present embodiment, the processing device 510 calculates the predicted value of the state quantity (for example, the coke temperature) of the product or semi-finished product in the manufacturing process, and determines whether or not to determine the 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 the product or semi-finished product, it is possible to determine the target process quantity trajectory.

[0141] Also, in the present embodiment, the processing device 510 is in the middle of the non-steady operation (time t m (t s <t m <t e)(Step)) Before the timing, change the already determined weight coefficients w1_n, w2_n, and w3_n, and determine the target process quantity trajectory (for example, the target furnace temperature trajectory) using the evaluation function J including the changed weight coefficients w1_n, w2_n, and w3_n. Therefore, even when the importance among a plurality of evaluation indices changes according to the timing of determining the target process quantity trajectory, it is possible to determine the weight coefficients w1_n, w2_n, and w3_n according to the changed importance. Thus, it is possible to bring the target process quantity trajectory determined during non-steady operation closer to a value suitable for subsequent operations.

[0142] Also, in the present embodiment, the processing device 510 determines the target process quantity trajectory using the evaluation function J including the weight coefficients 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 suppress preparing a large number of sets of weight coefficients w1_n, w2_n, and w3_n or generating sets of weight coefficients w1_n, w2_n, and w3_n that are not used.

[0143] 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 actual value of the time change of the process quantity after the start of non-steady operation. Therefore, it is possible to set the weight coefficients w1_n, w2_n, and w3_n according to the time change of the process quantity.

[0144] 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 start of non-steady operation. 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 of using the actual value of the process quantity, it is possible to suppress setting the weight coefficients w1_n, w2_n, and w3_n based on the fluctuation.

[0145] In addition, in this 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.

[0146] In addition, in this 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 every moment can be set. If the period for determining whether to change the weight coefficients w1_n, w2_n, and w3_n is set to the control period of the manufacturing process, the weight coefficients w1_n, w2_n, and w3_n can be changed to match the state of the manufacturing process that changes every moment.

[0147] In addition, in this embodiment, the processing device 510 calculates a predicted value of the state quantity (for example, the 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 a product or semi-finished product, the weight coefficients w1_n, w2_n, and w3_n can be changed.

[0148] [Other Modification Examples] Incidentally, the embodiments of the present invention described above can be realized by a computer executing a program. Also, a computer-readable recording medium storing 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. Also, the embodiments of the present invention described above are merely examples of specific embodiments in implementing 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] Incidentally, the disclosure of the above embodiments is as follows, for example. [Disclosure 1] A processing device for determining a target process amount that is a target value of a process amount obtained by an operation in a manufacturing process, comprising target process amount determination means for determining a target process amount trajectory that is a time change of the target process amount during non-steady operation, wherein the target process amount determination means, at a timing during the non-steady operation, determines the target process amount trajectory after the timing based on a predicted value of the process amount after the timing without using an actual value of the process amount in a period from the start of the non-steady operation to the timing. [Disclosure 2] The target process amount determination means periodically determines whether to determine the target process amount trajectory after the start of the non-steady operation, and when it is determined to determine the target process amount trajectory, determines the target process amount trajectory, the processing device according to Disclosure 1. [Disclosure 3] further comprising predicted value calculation means for calculating a predicted value including a predicted value of a state amount of a product or a semi-finished product in the manufacturing process, The target process quantity determination means is the processing device according to Disclosure 1 or 2 that determines whether to determine the target process quantity trajectory based on the difference between the predicted value and the target value of the state quantity. [Disclosure 4] The process quantity is the processing device according to any one of Disclosures 1 to 3, including the state quantity of the manufacturing equipment of the manufacturing process. [Disclosure 5] The state quantity of the manufacturing equipment is the processing device according to Disclosure 4, including the furnace temperature which is the temperature of the combustion chamber in the coke oven. [Disclosure 6] A processing method for determining a target process quantity which is the target value of the process quantity obtained by the operation in the manufacturing process, Comprising a target process quantity determination step of determining the target process quantity trajectory during non-steady operation as the target process quantity trajectory which is the time change of the target process quantity at the timing during the non-steady operation. In the target process quantity determination step, at the timing during the non-steady operation, without using the actual value of the process quantity in the period from the start of the non-steady operation to the timing, based on the predicted value of the process quantity after the timing, the target process quantity trajectory after the timing is determined. [Disclosure 7] A program for causing a computer to function as the means of the processing device according to any one of Disclosures 1 to 5.

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 device 511 Acquisition Unit 512 Target Process Quantity Determination Unit 513 Predicted Value Calculation Unit 513a Furnace State Calculation Unit 513b Input Heat Quantity 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 1st to Nth Phases t t Passing Time w 1_1 ~w u_1 、w 1_N ~w u_N Weight Coefficients of the 1st to Nth Phases T c Coke Temperature T r Bulk Temperature of the Furnace Tr_ref Target Furnace Temperature Trajectory Tr_mes Actual Furnace Temperature Trajectory Tr_sim Estimated Furnace Temperature Trajectory time0 Period of Unsteady Operation time1 Time to Reach the Lowest Furnace Temperature time2 Duration of Maintaining the Lowest Furnace Temperature ΔTr1 Change in Furnace Temperature at the Start of Unsteady Operation ΔTr2 Change in Furnace Temperature at the End of Unsteady Operation

Claims

1. A processing device for determining a target process amount, which is a target value of a process amount obtained by operation in a manufacturing process, comprising: target process amount determination means for determining a target process amount trajectory, which is a time change of the target process amount during non-steady operation; The target process amount determination means determines the target process amount trajectory after the timing based on a predicted value of the process amount after the timing, without using an actual value of the process amount during the period from the start of the non-steady operation to the timing at a timing during the non-steady operation. A processing device.

2. The target process amount determination means periodically determines whether to determine the target process amount trajectory after the non-steady operation is started, and when it is determined to determine the target process amount trajectory, the target process amount trajectory is determined. The processing device according to claim 1.

3. Further comprising predicted value calculation means for calculating a predicted value including a predicted value of a state amount of a product or a semi-finished product in the manufacturing process, The target process amount determination means determines whether to determine the target process amount trajectory based on a difference between the predicted value and the target value of the state amount. The processing device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The process amount includes a state amount of manufacturing equipment in the manufacturing process. The processing device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The state amount of the manufacturing equipment includes a furnace temperature which is a temperature of a combustion chamber in a coke oven. The processing device according to claim 4.

6. A processing method for determining a target process amount, which is a target value of a process amount obtained by operation in a manufacturing process, comprising: a target process amount determination step of determining a target process amount trajectory during non-steady operation as a target process amount trajectory, which is a time change of the target process amount, at a timing during the non-steady operation; In the target process amount determination step, at a timing during the non-steady operation, the target process amount trajectory after the timing is determined based on a predicted value of the process amount after the timing, without using an actual value of the process amount during the period from the start of the non-steady operation to the timing. A processing method.

7. A program for causing a computer to function as the means of the processing device according to claim 1 or 2.

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