Application of deep learning in iron ore sintering process: a review

In the wake of the era of big data, the techniques of deep learning have become an essential research direction in the machine learning field and are beginning to be applied in the steel industry. The sintering process is an extremely complex industrial scene. As the main process of the blast furnace ironmaking industry, it has great economic value and environmental protection significance for iron and steel enterprises. It is also one of the fields where deep learning is still in the exploration stage. In order to explore the application prospects of deep learning techniques in iron ore sintering, a comprehensive summary and conclusion of deep learning models for intelligent sintering were presented after reviewing the sintering process and deep learning models in a large number of research literatures. Firstly, the mechanisms and characteristics of parameters in sintering processes were introduced and analysed in detail, and then, the development of iron ore sintering simulation techniques was introduced. Secondly, deep learning techniques were introduced, including commonly used models of deep learning and their applications. Thirdly, the current status of applications of various types of deep learning models in sintering processes was elaborated in detail from the aspects of prediction, controlling, and optimisation of key parameters. Generally speaking, deep learning models that could be more effectively implemented in more situations of the sintering and even steel industry chain will promote the intelligent development of the metallurgical industry.