MODELING AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL OF A FURNACE PRODUCING IRON REDUCTION GASES

Abstract

In this thesis, we introduced a black-box Model for Midrex reformer in Idle operation mode. Idle operation mode is one of two operation modes that the bottom-fired reformer-box works on, while the other mode is the Reforming mode where production is going on. Natural gas-fired auxiliary burners maintain the reformer box temperature during plant Idle condition to minimize both restart time and thermal cycling of the reformer tubes. Further models are introduced for sensors and actuators used in the loop of the temperature controller. Finally, PID controller is used as the temperature controller to get the best performance and fast response that commonly used with such industrial applications.