Fine Description of Multi-Process Operation Behavior in Steelmaking-Continuous Casting Process by a Simulation Model with Crane Non-Collision Constraint

The fine description of multi-process operation behavior in steelmaking-continuous casting process is an important foundation for the improvement of production scheduling in steel plants. With sufficient consideration on non-collision movements among cranes, a dynamic simulation model is established by Plant Simulation software to describe the operation behavior of multi-process in the steelmaking-continuous casting process of lacking refining span. The design and implement of simulation are illustrated based on a typical workshop layout of “one converter-one refining furnace-one caster”. The method to avoid the collisions between adjacent cranes is represented in detail. To validate the availability of this model, an actual steel plant without refining span is studied, and simulation experiments are conducted by introducing actual production plans as simulation instances. The simulated findings agree well with the actual results of interest, including the total completed times of simulation instances, the turnover number of ladles, and the transfer times of heats among different processes. Hence, the proposed model can reliably simulate the multi-process operation behavior in steelmaking-continuous casting process.