Ecologically Inspired Water Network Optimization of Steel Manufacture Using Constructed Wetlands as a Wastewater Treatment Process

Traditional optimization models often lack a systems-level perspective at conception, which limits their effectiveness. Expanding system boundaries allow scientists and engineers to model complex interactions more accurately, leading to higher efficiency and profitability in industrial systems. Ecological systems have evolved for billions of years under conditions of material and energy shortage, and ecologists have defined analysis tools and metrics for identifying important principles. These principles may provide the framework to circumvent the limitations of traditional optimization techniques. More specifically, by recruiting functional roles that are often found in ecological systems, but are absent in industrial systems, industries can better mimic how natural systems organize themselves. The objective of this analysis is to traditionally optimize a manufacturing process by comparing the model with ecological and resource-based performance metrics in order to redesign the model with the addition of important functional roles that are found throughout nature. Industry partners provided data for this analysis, which involved building a water network for an existing steel manufacturing facility in China. The results of the traditional optimization model indicate a 23%, 29%, and 20% decline in freshwater consumption, wastewater discharge, and total annual cost, respectively. However, our ecologically inspired optimization model provides an additional 21% and 25% decline in freshwater consumption and total annual cost, respectively. Furthermore, no water is discharged. These results suggest that this unconventional approach to optimization could provide an effective technique not used by existing algorithms to solve the challenging problem of pursuing more sustainable industrial systems.

Exploration and Application Practice of Energy Conservation Theory and Method in Steel Manufacturing Process System

This article briefly discusses the theoretical basis and overall goals of energy conservation in the steel manufacturing process system.It is proposed that in the process of implementing system energy conservation,it is necessary to fully recognize and utilize the characteristics and functional advantages of the steel manufacturing process,pay more attention to energy quality,firmly grasp the overall goal of system optimization,focus on the integrated optimization of gas,steam,and waste heat systems,and propose the idea of constructing a"steel chemi-cal gas electricity heating cooling multi generation system".Based on practice,the main principles,models,and effects of implementing systematic energy conservation in steel enterprises have been proposed.

Magnetic Properties and Workability of 6.5% Si Steel Sheet Manufactured by Siliconizing Process

A siliconizing process to manufacture 6.5% Si steel sheet has been developed. Electric components, such as transformers and reactors are made easily from 6.5% Si steel sheet. However, improved workability is desirable to increase the applications. Therefore the improvement of workability of 6.5% Si steel sheet was investigated, and the results were obtained as follows: (a) workability of 6.5% Si steel sheet is deteriorated by grain boundary oxidization, (b) grain boundary oxidization can be restrained by the addition of C. Workability and magnetic properties of 6.5% Si steel sheet with C addition are discussed. Furthermore, it was found that the workability of high Si steel sheet was improved remarkably by varying the Si content gradient along the thickness without deterioration of high frequency magnetic properties. This newly developed magnetic gradient high Si steel sheet is also discussed.

Consideration of green intelligent steel processes and narrow window stability control technology on steel quality

In order to promote the intelligent transformation and upgrading of the steel industry, intelligent technology features based on the current situation and challenges of the steel industry are discussed in this paper. Based on both domestic and global research, functional analysis, reasonable positioning, and process optimization of each aspect of steel making are expounded. The current state of molten steel quality and implementation under narrow window control is analyzed. A method for maintaining stability in the narrow window control technology of steel quality is proposed, controlled by factors including composition, temperature, time, cleanliness, and consumption(raw material). Important guidance is provided for the future development of a green and intelligent steel manufacturing process.

Calculating Method for Influence of Material Flow on Energy Consumption in Steel Manufacturing Process

From the viewpoint of systems energy conservation, the influences of material flow on its energy consumption in a steel manufacturing process is an important subject. The quantitative analysis of the relationship between material flow and the energy intensity is useful to save energy in steel industry. Based on the concept of standard material flow diagram, all possible situations of ferric material flow in steel manufacturing process are analyzed. The expressions of the influence of material flow deviated from standard material flow diagram on energy consumption are put forward.

Operation optimization of the steel manufacturing process: A brief review

Against the realistic background of excess production capacity, product structure imbalance, and high material and energy consumption in steel enterprises, the implementation of operation optimization for the steel manufacturing process is essential to reduce the production cost, increase the production or energy efficiency, and improve production management. In this study, the operation optimization problem of the steel manufacturing process, which needed to go through a complex production organization from customers' orders to workshop production, was analyzed. The existing research on the operation optimization techniques, including process simulation, production planning, production scheduling, interface scheduling, and scheduling of auxiliary equipment, was reviewed. The literature review reveals that, although considerable research has been conducted to optimize the operation of steel production, these techniques are usually independent and unsystematic.Therefore, the future work related to operation optimization of the steel manufacturing process based on the integration of multi technologies and the intersection of multi disciplines were summarized.

Influence of Material Flow in Steel Manufacturing Process on Atmosphere Environmental Load

The standard material flow diagram in steel manufacturing process was proposed to analyze the influences of various material flows on environmental load of 1tof final product.Two influence factors and reducing measures of environmental load were pointed out.The environmental load was appraised for a typical technological process in a Chinese steel plant.

Optimization of Steel Bar Manufacturing Process Using Six Sigma

Optimization of a manufacturing process results in higher productivity and reduced wastes. Production parameters of a local steel bar manufacturing industry of Pakistan is optimized by using six Sigma-Define, measure, analyze, improve, and controlmethodology. Production data is collected and analyzed. After analysis, experimental design result is used to identify significant factors affecting process performance. The significant factors are controlled to optimized level using two-level factorial design method. A regression model is developed that helps in the estimation of response under multi variable input values. Model is tested, verified, and validated by using industrial data collected at a local steel bar manufacturing industry of Peshawar（Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan）. The sigma level of the manufacturing process is improved to 4.01 from 3.58. The novelty of the research is the identification of the significant factors along with the optimum levels that affects the process yield, and the methodology to optimize the steel bar manufacturing process.

Analytical method for promoting process capability of shock absorption steel

Mechanical properties and low cycle fatigue are two factors that must be considered in developin gnew type steel for shock absorption. Process capability and process control are significant factors in achieving the purpose of research and development programs. Often-used evaluation methods failed to measure processyield and process centering ; so this paper uses Taguchi loss function as basis to establish an evaluation methodand the steps for assessing the quality of mechanical properties and process control of an iron and steel manu-facturer. The establishment of this method can serve the research and development and manufacturing industry and lay a foundation in enhancing its process control ability to select better manufacturing processes that are more reliable than decision making by using the other commonly used methods.

Industrial Ecosystems and Food Webs＂ An Ecological-Based Mass Flow Analysis to Model the Progress of Steel Manufacturing in China

Materials and energy are transferred between natural and industrial systems, providing a standard that can be used to deduce the interactions between these systems, An examination of these flows is an essen- tial part of the conversation on how industry impacts the environment, We propose that biological sys- tems, which embody sustainability, provide methods and principles that can lead to more useful ways to organize industrial activity, Transposing these biological methods to steel manufacturing is manifested through an efficient use of available materials, waste reduction, and decreased energy demand with cur- rently available technology, In this paper, we use ecological metrics to examine the change in structure and flows of materials in the Chinese steel industry over time by means of a systems-based mass flow analysis, Utilizing available data, the results of our analysis indicate that the Chinese steel manufacturing industry has increased its efficiency and sustainable use of resources over time at the unit process level, However, the appropriate organization of the steel production ecosystem remains a work in progress, Our results suggest that through the intelligent placement of cooperative industries, which can utilize the waste generated from steel manufacturing, the future of the Chinese steel industry can better reflect ecosystem maturity and health while minimizing waste.

Relationships and Evolving Networks of Rural Manufacturing Clusters: A Case Study in Yucheng County, Henan Province of China

The evolution of networks in rural industrial clusters,in particular in the context of China has been paid more attention to in the world.Applying the theory and techniques of social network analysis (SNA),this study is with particular regard to the business network relationships and their evolutionary dynamics of steel measuring tape manufacturing clustered in Nanzhuang Village,Yucheng County of Henan Province,China,which is important for better understanding the industrial and regional development in less developed rural areas.From data collected by comprehensive questionnaire survey in 2002 and mass interviews with 60 enterprises and assembling families and several government authorities in 2002,2003,2004,2005 and 2008,four types of networks are identified: spin-off,consulting,communication and cooperative.The characteristic of these networks is outlined in detail.Compared with the high-tech clusters of typical developed areas,the networks that have evolved in traditional manufacturing clusters are more affected by emotive linkages.The cluster networks are shown to exhibit a polycentric hierarchical structure.The family relationships are the dominate spin-off channels of enterprises,while the supply and demand relationships and the mobility of the skilled workers are also important paths of network learning,and the cooperation relationships are comparatively stable.Besides the root enterprises,the middle-sized enterprises are comparatively more active than small-sized enterprises,and the intermediary agencies and the service institutions act as bridges of the inter-enterprises cooperation.By analysis of the structure of networks and the interactions between the networks,the four stages of network evolution are also identified.The four stages are dominated by the family networks,the internal division production networks,the local innovation networks and the global supply networks respectively,and they play different roles in cluster development.

Speed Control and Coiling Temperature Control of Strip

The standard material flow diagram in steel manufacturing process was proposed to analyze the influences of various material flows on environmental load of 1 t of final product. Two influence factors and reducing measures of environmental load were pointed out. The environmental load was appraised for a typical technological process in a Chinese steel plant.

Specific Energy Consumption Analysis Model and Its Application in Typical Steel Manufacturing Process

Theoretical minimum and actual specific energy consumptions （SEC） of typical manufacturing process （SMP） were studied. Firstly, a process division of a typical SMP in question was conducted with the theory of SEC analysis. Secondly, an exergy analysis model of a subsystem consisting of several parallel processes and a SEC analysis model of SMP were developed. And finally, based on the analysis models, the SEC of SMP was analyzed by means of the statistical significance. The results show that the SEC of typical SMP comprises the theoretical minimum SEC and the additional SEC derived from the irreversibility~ and the SMP has a theoretical minimum SEC of 6.74 GJ/t and an additional SEC of 19.32 GJ/t, which account for 25.88% and 74.12% of the actual SEC, respectively.

Manufacturing Technology and Application Trends of Titanium Clad Steel Plates

Some of the major manufacturing processes and corresponding mechanical properties of titanium clad steel plates were analyzed, and the consequences of research, manufacturing, and application of titanium clad steel plates in both markets of China and overseas were also summarized. As an economical and environmentally friendly technology, the roll bonding process is expected to become the next-generation mainstream process for the manufacturing of titanium clad steel plate. Some of the crucial and most important technical problems of this particular process, including vacuum sealing technology, surface treatment process technology, application of a transition layer, and rolling process, were discussed along with the advantageous mechanical properties and life-cycle economy of these plates processed by this technology. Finally, the market needs, application trends, and requirements of titanium clad steel plate were also considered from industries of petrochemical, shipbuilding, marine, and electric power.