Optimization method for operating plants in the primary industry

An optimization method, executed by a computer, for the operation of a plant in the basic-materials industry, in particular a plant in the steel industry or aluminum industry, by means of which a technical process is executed cyclically, time and time again,

• a) wherein by utilizing a model of the plant and of the technical process the computer ascertains, on the basis of specified reference values (R) for first target variables (Z1) of the technical process, first expected values (E1) for first actual variables (I1) of the technical process, so that the first target variables (Z1) attain the reference values (R) as far as possible,
• b) wherein from a large number of data records (D) known to the computer, which comprise—in each instance for a single cycle of the technical process—the first target variables (Z1) and second target variables (Z2), the first actual variables (I1) and second actual variables (I2), the computer provisionally selects, in accordance with a predetermined first distance criterion, a predetermined first number (n1) of data records (D) in which the first actual variables (I1) display a distance from the first expected values (E1) that is as small as possible,
• c) wherein the first target variables (Z1) are disjunct from the second target variables (Z2), and the first actual variables (I1) are disjunct from the second actual variables (I2),
• d) wherein on the basis of the specified reference values (R) for the first target variables (Z1) and on the basis of the first expected values (E1) the computer ascertains second expected values (E2) for the second actual variables (I2),
• e) wherein from the provisionally selected data records (D) the computer definitively selects, in accordance with a predetermined second distance criterion, a predetermined second number (n2) of data records (D) in which the first actual variables (I1) and the second actual variables (I2) display a distance from the first and second expected values (E1, E2) that is as small as possible,
• f) wherein on the basis of the definitively selected data records (D) for a cycle of the technical process that is yet to be executed the computer ascertains set values (S) for the second target variables (Z2), so that the first target variables (Z1) attain the reference values (R) as far as possible, and
• g) wherein the computer-outputs the ascertained set values (S) to an operator or to a control device of the plant in the basic-materials industry.