Title: Improving conformance to quality requirements in making hot metal

Authors: Arup Ranjan Mukhopadhyay; Jit Kumar Mitra

Addresses: SQC & OR Unit, Indian Statistical Institute, 203, B T Roadm Kolkata 700108, India ' SQC & OR Unit, Indian Statistical Institute, 203, B T Roadm Kolkata 700108, India

Abstract: The quality of the output hot metal in mini blast furnace is assessed by the extent of conformity to specifications of different chemical constituents. It is crucially important to maximise the conformance to specifications of C%, Si%, S% and carbon equivalent (CE). The objective of the study thus turned out to be to achieve the optimum quantum of the input material and that of the input parameters of the furnace for which the extent of conformance is maximised. The approach adopted is to build up regression equations between furnace output and furnace input and subsequent optimisation using the method of moving asymptotes. The novelty of this work can be seen through application of this improved process optimisation methodology. The amount of non-conformity has turned out to be nil for C% and Si% from their respective baselines of 12.5% and 29.7%. Through this paper practitioners and researchers can understand as to how statistical and quantitative tools can be applied in a systematic manner for solving a real life quality problem.

Keywords: optimisation; process improvement; statistical decision making; empirical modelling; quality assurance.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPQM.2018.093447

International Journal of Productivity and Quality Management, 2018 Vol.24 No.4, pp.441 - 459

Received: 14 Dec 2016
Accepted: 05 Apr 2017
Published online: 26 Jul 2018 *

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