ABS Technical Bulletin #8

Grade/Alloy Diversion Process (MIX and TAP)

The Least Cost Charge Design (MIX) and Least Cost Alloy Additions (TAP) programs include a feature that allows the user to easily divert the current calculation to another grade/alloy. This feature will most likely be used when a liquid metal condition cannot be diluted within the capacity of the melting/blending device. Since this condition can occur within the Charge Design program’s heel processor, the diversion capability has been added to both the Batch and Melter/Holder versions. In the examples below, the Alloy Additions program is used - the functions are identical within the Charge Design versions.

In the following alloy additions (TAP) example, the element MO is outside the upper limits permitted (furnace 2’s capacity is 50,000 lbs.). The TAP program has determined that a pour-off of 16,253 lbs. is necessary to reduce the MO to an acceptable range (shown at the bottom of the prelim screen):

Click on “F7-Divert” from the menu bar at the top of the screen to view a diversion list (or press <F7>):

When “F7-Divert” is selected, the TAP program prepares a diversion list for each grade/alloy code, and displays the following information:

ΠThe Pour-Off Required value equals the minimum amount that needs to be poured off in order to dilute the elements that are highlighted in red. If no elements are highlighted in red, this value will be zero. If a pour-off is required, columns 2 and 3 will be zero.

 The Dilution Required value equals the minimum amount required to dilute those elements that are highlighted in yellow, but not in red.

Ž The Addition Required value equals the minimum amount required to bring the lowest elemental analysis up to its minimum value. The Minimum Weight Required will be the greater value of columns 2 and 3 ( shown above).

NOTE: The values shown for Pour-off, Dilution, and Addition Required are computed against the minimum or maximum aims and are, therefore, the absolute minimum values. The actual value required will probably be greater.

To return to the prelim screen without selecting a grade/alloy, click on “Cancel”.

To divert to a grade shown on the list, click on the desired grade, then click on “Select”. In the following example, the prelim chemistry for MO was .40 (all other values were the same as shown above). The diversion list for this prelim condition is shown below, and we elected to divert to grade “CF8M”:

The TAP program will recall the new grade aims and restrictions, read the material file for candidates, and then display a new prelim chemistry screen. The analytical result of diverting to grade CF8M is shown below:

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