Influence Factor Analysis and Prediction Model of End-Point Carbon Content Based on Artificial Neural Network in Electric Arc Furnace Steelmaking Process

In this manuscript, we consider the accuracy of end-point carbon content prediction affected by oxygen injection in multiple stages of electric arc furnace (EAF) melting process. Such a prediction would help to further evaluate process control strategies and optimize overall operation of the electric arc furnace. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to normalize the 13 input variables affecting the endpoint carbon content. log-sigmoid and tan-sigmoid functions were used to verify the same sample, and it was found that the Mean squared error(MSE) of the model under logsig + logsig function was smaller, indicating that the model was more stable. At the same time, different hidden layer nodes were tried, and finally the structure of the model was determined as 13 × 10 × 8 × 1, and the activation function was logsig + logsig. Using historical smelting data to train and test the neural network model, the correlation coefficient (R) of the verified model is 0.7632, the model prediction is in the range of ±0.03%, the hit rate of the model is 64.5%, and the hit rate of the model is 42% in the range of ±0.02%. Combining the verification basis of the model with the metallurgical reaction principle of the EAF steelmaking process, a pretreatment method of phased input of total oxygen is proposed. The oxygen is divided into three stages, which are the oxygen consumption volume of 0–5 min, 5–30 min and more than 30 min and other variables are kept unchanged. The same neural network is used to train and verify the same data. After verification, the R of the oxygen staged model is 0.8274. The model prediction is in the range of ±0.03%, the hit rate of the model is 78.5%, and the hit rate of the model is 58% in the range of ±0.02%. Finally, an on-line carbon content prediction system based on artificial neural network model is developed and applied to actual production. Running results illustrated that the hit rate of end-point carbon content is 96.67%, 93.33% and 86.67%, respectively when the prediction errors are within ±0.05%, ±0.03% and ±0.01%, the improved neural network model can effectively predict the end-point carbon content, which provides a good basis for the carbon content at the end point of EAF steelmaking process.