Multivariable Dynamic Modeling for Molten Iron Quality Using Incremental Random Vector Functional-link Networks

Molten iron temperature as well as Si, P, and S contents is the most essential molten iron quality （MIQ） indices in the blast furnace （BF） ironmaking, which requires strict monitoring during the whole ironmaking production. However, these MIQ parameters are difficult to be directly measured online, and large-time delay exists in off-line analysis through laboratory sampling. Focusing on the practical challenge, a data-driven modeling method was presented for the prediction of MIQ using the improved muhivariable incremental random vector functional-link net- works （M-I-RVFLNs）. Compared with the conventional random vector functional-link networks （RVFLNs） and the online sequential RVFLNs, the M-I-RVFLNs have solved the problem of deciding the optimal number of hidden nodes and overcome the overfitting problems. Moreover, the proposed M I RVFLNs model has exhibited the potential for multivariable prediction of the MIQ and improved the terminal condition for the multiple-input multiple-out- put （MIMO） dynamic system, which is suitable for the BF ironmaking process in practice. Ultimately, industrial experiments and contrastive researches have been conducted on the BF No. 2 in Liuzhou Iron and Steel Group Co. Ltd. of China using the proposed method, and the results demonstrate that the established model produces better estima ting accuracy than other MIQ modeling methods.

Intelligent Multivariable Modeling of Blast Furnace Molten Iron Quality Based on Dynamic AGA-ANN and PCA

Blast furnace （BF） ironmaking process has complex and nonlinear dynamic characteristics. The molten iron temperature （MIT） as well as Si, P and S contents of molten iron is difficult to be directly measured online, and large-time delay exists in offline analysis through laboratory sampling. A nonlinear multivariate intelligent modeling method was proposed for molten iron quality （MIQ） based on principal component analysis （PCA） and dynamic ge- netic neural network. The modeling method used the practical data processed by PCA dimension reduction as inputs of the dynamic artificial neural network （ANN）. A dynamic feedback link was introduced to produce a dynamic neu- ral network on the basis of traditional back propagation ANN. The proposed model improved the dynamic adaptabili- ty of networks and solved the strong fluctuation and resistance problem in a nonlinear dynamic system. Moreover, a new hybrid training method was presented where adaptive genetic algorithms （AGA） and ANN were integrated, which could improve network convergence speed and avoid network into local minima. The proposed method made it easier for operators to understand the inside status of blast furnace and offered real-time and reliable feedback infor- mation for realizing close-loop control for MIQ. Industrial experiments were made through the proposed model based on data collected from a practical steel company. The accuracy could meet the requirements of actual operation.