The use of a heuristic search technique for the optimization of quality ofsteel billets produced by continuous casting

This work proposes an interaction between a numerical heat transfer model a nd an artificial intelligence (AI) heuristic search method which is linked to a Knowledge Base for the continuous casting of quality billets (SAE 1010 steel). A two-dimensional heat transfer model was developed using a finite difference method and was applied to real dimensions of a steel billet con tinuous easter. The Knowledge Base consists of technological and metallurgi cal constraints. The heuristic search method, aided by the Knowledge Base, explores the space parameter settings in order to find optimized cooling co nditions which results in defect free biller production with minimum metall urgical length. The use of the developed search method for determining opti mum setting of cooling conditions demonstrated that very good results can b e attained in assuring billet quality and in the improvement of easter perf ormance. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.