Precise Temperature Control with Artificial Intelligence (EEC 2021)

Smart Steel Technologies presented at EEC 2021: Precise Temperature Control with Artificial Intelligence - Marienhuette Graz significantly improves their temperature control by using AI

Tim Wessels | Machine Learning Engineer, Smart Steel Technologies

Marienhuette Graz is the only Austrian manufacturer of reinforcement bars. They operate a highly specialized steel mill to produce high-quality rods and rebars at their shop in Graz. The steel plant operates a state-of-the-art AC EAF, which uses modern injection technology to achieve a competitive tap-to-tap time. After being refined in a ladle furnace to achieve the best quality and temperature for casting, the steel is fed into a 2-strand billet caster.The steel temperature in a melt shop has to follow precise set points, especially at the entry and exit of the ladle at each aggregate, and during the casting process. Smart Steel Technologies developed a dedicated software based on Artificial Intelligence providing temperature estimates and recommendations with high precision and low latency. Using techniques from classical machine learning all the way to cutting-edge neural network algorithms, the software helps stabilize the entire process chain and thereby allows energy savings by decreasing the overall temperature level. The software is fully integrated, runs 24/7, and is entirely adapted to the data generated at Marienhuette Graz.