Analysis and characterization of complex reactor behaviour. A case study. 1

This paper analyzes the steady state and dynamic behavior of a reactor for pro-duction of silicon metal, a submerged arc furnace. The furnace behavior has been analyzed through simulation studies using a detailed, industrially proven, mecha-nistic simulation model. The analysis reveals that the silicon furnace has changing and complex dynamic behaviour, including inverse responses and slow modes, espe-cially close to optimality. The paper analyzes the causes of the changing dynamic behaviour. It also shows how the margins to optimality can be deduced from the dynamic response to changes in the carbon coverage input. Key words: Reactor dynamic behavior, zero and pole drift, submerged arc silicon furnace Preprint submitted to Elsevier Science 14 December 2005