An interpretable machine learning approach for ferroalloys consumptions

TL;DR

This paper presents an interpretable machine learning method combining clustering, decision trees, and linear regression to optimize ferroalloys consumption in steelmaking, emphasizing ease of interpretation and noise resistance.

Contribution

The paper introduces a novel, interpretable approach for ferroalloys consumption modeling using clustering and decision trees, applicable to various technological processes.

Findings

Effective ferroalloys consumption optimization demonstrated in steelmaking.

Method shows noise resistance and interpretability.

Applicable to different technological processes.

Abstract

This paper is devoted to a practical method for ferroalloys consumption modeling and optimization. We consider the problem of selecting the optimal process control parameters based on the analysis of historical data from sensors. We developed approach, which predicts results of chemical reactions and give ferroalloys consumption recommendation. The main features of our method are easy interpretation and noise resistance. Our approach is based on k-means clustering algorithm, decision trees and linear regression. The main idea of the method is to identify situations where processes go similarly. For this, we propose using a k-means based dataset clustering algorithm and a classification algorithm to determine the cluster. This algorithm can be also applied to various technological processes, in this article, we demonstrate its application in metallurgy. To test the application of the proposed method, we used it to optimize ferroalloys consumption in Basic Oxygen Furnace steelmaking when finishing steel in a ladle furnace. The minimum required element content for a given steel grade was selected as the predictive model's target variable, and the required amount of the element to be added to the melt as the optimized variable. Keywords: Clustering, Machine Learning, Linear Regression, Steelmaking, Optimization, Gradient Boosting, Artificial Intelligence, Decision Trees, Recommendation services