Structure of the Optimal Management System for Raw Materials, Fuel and Energy Resources in Blast-furnace Production

The structure of optimization model of optimal management of raw materials, fuel and energy resources in the blast-furnace shop of iron and steel works is represented. The following blocks are taken as system basis: (1) calculation of the set of parameters that characterize the thermal, gas-dynamic, slag and blasting modes for every blast furnaces of the shop during the base period; (2) calculation of linearized model coefficients (constants of transferring via different exposure pathways) individually for every blast furnace as well as properties of iron ore raw materials, fluxing additions, blasting parameters, parameters of fuel-enriched blast influencing the technical-and-economic indices of separate furnaces performance, their thermal, gasdynamic and slag operation modes in the course of blast-furnace melting according to UrFU-MMT blast-furnace production model within the base period; (3) solution of tasks that consider the optimal allocation of raw materials, fuel and energy resources for the project period of blast furnaces operation; (4) analysis of obtained results and providing of recommendations on the optimization of blast furnaces parameters. The developed functional model of optimal distribution of raw materials, fuel and energy resources for the engineering and technology personnel of blast-furnace shop is illustrated; the main functions and interconnections between the separate functional blocks are defined. The functions of created ‘Optimal management of raw materials, fuel and energy resources in the blast-furnace production’ software that is realized in the Microsoft Visual Studio 2017 (С# programming language) programming environment in the form of web application are pointed out. The program product provides the engineering and technology personnel of blast furnace shop of iron andsteel works with the opportunity to solve the tasks of optimal distribution of fuel and energy resources (natural gas and oxygen consumption) within the group of blast furnaces in the different technological situations. Keywords: blast-furnace production, resources distribution optimization, fuel and energy resources, raw material resources, functional modeling, decision support system, software developmen

Periodic CO2 Injection for Improved Storage Capacity and Pressure Management under Intermittent CO2 Supply

Storing CO2 in geological formations is an important component of reducing greenhouse gases emissions. The Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) industry is now in its establishing phase, and if successful, massive storage volumes would be needed. It will hence be important to utilize each storage site to its maximum, without challenging the formation integrity. For different reasons, supply of CO2 to the injection sites may be periodical or unstable, often considered as a risk element reducing the overall efficiency and economics of CCS projects. In this paper we present outcomes of investigations focusing on a variety of positive aspects of periodic CO2 injection, including pressure management and storage capacity, also highlighting reservoir monitoring opportunities. A feasibility study of periodic injection into an infinite saline aquifer using a mechanistic reservoir model has indicated significant improvement in storage capacity compared to continuous injection. The reservoir pressure and CO2 plume behavior were further studied revealing a ‘CO2 expansion squeeze’ effect that governs the improved storage capacity observed in the feasibility study. Finally, the improved pressure measurement and storage capacity by periodic injection was confirmed by field-scale simulations based on a real geological set-up. The field-scale simulations have confirmed that ‘CO2 expansion squeeze’ governs the positive effect, which is also influenced by well location in the geological structure and aquifer size, while CO2 dissolution in water showed minor influence. Additional reservoir effects and risks not covered in this paper are then highlighted as a scope for further studies. The value of the periodic injection with intermittent CO2 supply is finally discussed in the context of deployment and integration of this technology in the establishing CCS industry.publishedVersio

European credit transfer system for vocational education and training (ecvet) in the context of virtual academic mobility

The article deals with the concept of virtual academic mobility, and the possibility of applying requirements of the European credit transfer system for vocational education and training (ECVET) for recognition of learning outcomes acquired in on-line learnin

Assessment of a mature hydrocarbon field in SE Czech Republic for a CO2 storage pilot

Preparation and execution of a CO2 storage pilot project is one of the first logical steps in the effort to kick-start CCS in the region of Central & Eastern Europe, utilizing onshore geological structures for permanent CO2 storage. The main aims of this activity are to test the suitability of local geological structures and demonstrate the feasibility and safety of the technology to local stakeholders. The Czech-Norwegian CO2-SPICER project is an example of such developments. The target structure of CO2-SPICER – Zar−3 – is a hydrocarbon field situated in an erosional relict of fractured carbonates of Jurassic age on the SE slopes of the Bohemian Massif, covered by Paleogene deposits and Carpathian flysch nappes. The first stage of site assessment has been completed, and the article provides an overview of its results. Construction of a 3D geological model of the storage complex was the first important step on the route, preparing input for subsequent reservoir simulations of the field history and planned CO2 injection. Reservoir assessment is also focusing on specific features of the fractured-vuggy reservoir and accounting for the effects associated with CO2 injection, including geochemistry and geomechanics. Geochemical studies focus on fluid-rock interactions, and geomechanical ones on formation integrity and fracture mechanics under reservoir pressure build-up and cooling of the formation by injected CO2. Risk assessment is another component of the project, aiming at identifying potential leakage pathways and assessing consequences for the area of interest. Preparatory work for the site monitoring plan includes applicability analysis of various monitoring methods, supported by execution of baseline monitoring of selected phenomena, in particular composition of soil gas, natural and induced seismicity and properties of shallow groundwater. The project also includes evaluation of advanced reservoir containment monitoring technologies including time-lapse pressure transient analysis. While the key actions are directed towards the piloting activities, the project also looks beyond to full-field implementation and potential to establish a regional CCS cluster.acceptedVersio

Algorithms and software for optimal management of raw materials, fuel and energy resources in blast furnace production

The structure of optimization model of optimal management of raw materials, fuel and energy resources in the blast-furnace shop of iron and steel works is represented. The following blocks are taken as system basis: 1) calculation of the set of parameters that characterize the thermal, gas-dynamic, slag and blasting modes for every blast furnaces of the shop during the base period; 2) calculation of linearized model coefficients (constants of transferring via different exposure pathways) individually for every blast furnace as well as properties of iron ore raw materials, fluxing additions, blasting parameters, parameters of fuel-enriched blast influencing the technical-and-economic indices of separate furnaces performance, their thermal, gas-dynamic and slag operation modes in the course of blast-furnace melting according to UrFU-MMK blast-furnace production model within the base period; 3) solution of tasks that consider the optimal allocation of raw materials, fuel and energy resources for the project period of blast furnaces operation; 4) analysis of obtained results and providing of recommendations on the optimization of blast furnaces parameters. The developed functional model of optimal distribution of raw materials, fuel and energy resources for the engineering and technology personnel of blast-furnace shop is illustrated; the main functions and interconnections between the separate functional blocks are defined. The functions of created "Optimal management of raw materials, fuel and energy resources in the blast-furnace production"software that is realized in the Microsoft Visual Studio 2017 (C# programming language) programming environment in the form of web application are pointed out. The program product provides the engineering and technology personnel of blast furnace shop of iron and steel works with the opportunity to solve the tasks of optimal distribution of fuel and energy resources (natural gas and oxygen consumption) within the group of blast furnaces in the different technological situations. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd

Mechanisms of formation of nanostructured electrolytic coatings Fe-Ni, Co-Mn, Ni-Cr with functional properties

The evolution of modern industry is impossible without the development of new materials and technologies. Nanostructured coatings, in particular electrolytic coatings, are among the most demanded in mechanical engineering. The purpose of this work was to study the different mechanisms of obtaining Fe-Ni, Co- Mn, Ni-Cr galvanic alloys and their relationship with the specified universal physical and mechanical properties. Fe-Ni alloy is characterized by high microhardness and corrosion resistance in sea water, low cold brittleness; Co-Mn – by a specified phase composition (α-Co >> α-Mn, amorphous and metastable phase Co(OH)2); Ni-Cr – by high coating microhardness, specified phase composition. The main methods of production: high-frequency alternating current for Fe-Ni and Co-Mn alloys; introduction of a special additive (carbamide or H-acid) for Ni-Cr alloy. The main mechanisms are: Fe-Ni due to phase transition α-Fe → ε-Fe; Co-Mn by means of high-frequency alternating current and carbamide addition, providing a specified phase composition; Ni-Cr by means of stationary method of addition of H-acid (high-chromium alloy of 68 mass percent of Cr) and carbamide (low-chromium alloy of 25 mass percent of Cr). Recommended uses for electroplating: Fe-Ni – for protection of oil and gas production equipment in the Arctic; Co- Mn – in modulation systems and as a nanocatalyst in the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction; Ni-Cr – for corrosion-resistant protective coatings in petrochemistry and for resistive elements