To conduct an effective sensitivity analysis, the effect of changing 9 different process parameters on a total of 6 performance indicators was investigated. The process parameters are listed below, and were varied by 20% in either direction from the nominal values in the initial model in increments of 10%. As the oxygen lancing rate parameter was particularly sensitive to various performance measures, the increment was reduced to 5% for this parameter.
- Carbon Injection Rate
- Ferromanganese Injection Rate
- Oxygen Lancing Rate
- Oxygen Post-combustion Rate
- Slag-forming Agent Addition Rate
- Product Removal Interval
- Arc Power
- Reactor Shell Upper Chamber Size
- Reactor Shell Lower Bath Size
The effect of these 9 different process parameters were observed on the following 6 KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) that take into account composition requirements, emissions and operational efficiency.
- Carbon Composition in Liquid Metal
- Manganese Composition in Liquid Metal
- Liquid Metal Outlet Temperature
- Selectivity of Fe
- Carbon Oxide Emissions
- CO2:CO Ratio
To ensure consistency among all the sensitivity experiments and to demonstrate sufficiently convergent behaviour, each experimental run was simulated for an additional 5 operating cycles with the respective change in parameter.
