Improving fuel utilization in steel mill operations using linear programming
Abstract This paper describes the use of linear programming to improve the fuel utilisation at a major Midwestern steel mill. In particular, linear programming is used to determine an efficient fuel allocation plan for this steel mill, which reduces the total fuel costs for the steel mill operations. The efficient fuel allocation plan that is developed utilises two externally purchased fuels: natural gas and fuel oil, and two gases: blast furnace gas and coke plant gas, which are internally generated as natural by-products of the production process. Test results from the application of the linear programming model are presented and discussed, and indicate that considerable cost savings can be achieved by utilizing a fuel allocation plan which more effectively utilizes the by-product gases which are produced within the steel making process.
Combustion characterisation of compositionally dynamic steelworks gases
This thesis investigates the combustion of fuel compositions representative of 
those produced by the integrated steelmaking process. As organisations strive for 
improvements in utilisation efficiency with increasingly complex technologies, more 
detailed understanding is required to accurately simulate combustion of the 
potentially weak and dilute fuels, and thereby aid design processes. Dynamic fuel 
properties have been characterised through experimentation, in addition to a 
comparison of numerically simulated results obtained from chemical kinetics. The 
parameters identified to investigate fuel behaviour were laminar burning velocity and 
Markstein Length, and characterised with regard to operational instability in practical 
combustion systems. The design and construction of a suitable experimental rig is 
detailed, as required to facilitate the accurate determination of burning velocities by 
quantifying the outward propagation of spherical flames. A regressive analytical 
technique was developed based on previous studies, nonlinearly relating propagation 
to change in stretch rate. The developed solution was benchmarked against analogous 
studies in literature, and ensured experimental performance was accurate and 
repeatable for the well documented combustion of methane. 
Steelworks gases were tested to attain representative burning velocities, with 
significant attention paid to the change resulting from fluctuation in blast furnace gas 
H2 fraction. The study characterised the observed sensitivity to change in flame speed 
and discussed the implications with regard to practical combustion systems. Several 
methods of reducing the measured fluctuation are subsequently quantified, including 
change in ambient condition, and relative humidity. Non-monotonic behaviour was 
observed for the latter effect, with a suggested trade-off between a chemically 
catalytic influence on intermediate species, and lowering of flame temperature. 
Consequently this suggested water addition could be an effective mechanism for the 
reduction of H2 induced flame speed variation for blast furnace gas, and influence 
other synthesised fuels comprising large quantities of CO, including BOS gas. Additional 
steelworks gases were blended in different ratios to assess dynamic combustive 
properties relating to fuel flexibility, and the effectiveness of minimising fluctuation in 
combustion behaviour.
User's Instructions for 0-1 Integer Linear Programming Code RIP30C
Abstract : This Memorandum furnishes the information required in order to use 0-1 integer linear programming code RIP30C. Included is a discussion of input and output, an example, and a listing of the code. (Author)