A PRELIMINARY REFERENCE ARCHITECTURE FOR INTEGRATING CHARCOAL BLAST FURNACE IRONMAKING PROCESSES: ENHANCING INTEROPERABILITY IN A BRAZILIAN COMPANY

Autores/as

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5007/2175-8018.2026.e108008

Palabras clave:

Blast furnace, Ironmaking, Interoperability, Industry 4.0, Industrial IoT

Resumen

The objective of this study is to propose a preliminary reference architecture for integrating charcoal blast furnace (BF) ironmaking processes, with a focus on enhancing interoperability within a Brazilian company. Many BF operations face challenges related to process and equipment interoperability, primarily due to the lack of integration between shop floor systems and enterprise-level systems within the automation pyramid. To address these challenges, a systematic literature review was done and a case study in a charcoal BF ironmaking company was performed, incorporating interviews and documents analysis. As a key outcome, a preliminary reference architecture is proposed to enable the seamless integration of independently controlled systems, auxiliary facilities, and business process management with the real-time production processes. This integration is essential for driving digital transformation and improving operational efficiency within the company. The primary contribution is the development of a platform-based integration architecture that enhances interoperability through a hybrid approach. This study contributes to the literature by providing new perspectives and methods, which in turn serves as a foundation for improving connectivity, data exchange, and overall efficiency in the charcoal BF ironmaking company.

Biografía del autor/a

jianhong cheng, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto

Cheng Jianhong is a senior mechanical engineer in China, graduated from Federal University of Ouro Preto (UFOP) in 2025 with a Master’s degree in the Production Engineering program. He worked in the steel engineering sector for more than twenty years and was responsible for many engineering and construction projects in Turkey, Sudan, and Brazil. His research focuses on smart manufacturing, digital transformation, and international industrial cooperations. 

Luciana Paula Reis , Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto

Luciana Paula Reis is an Assistant Professor at the Federal University of Ouro Preto (UFOP), with a PhD in Business Administration from UFMG (Brazil). She completed her postdoctoral at HEC Montréal and served as a visiting professor at Polytechnique Montréal. Her research focuses on innovation management, digital transformation, supply chain management, lean healthcare, and Industry 4.0.

André Luís Silva , Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto

André Luís Silva is a PhD at the Federal University of Minas Gerais with a scholarship period at the Université de Montreal/Canada. He completed two postdoctoral fellowships: one at the University of Brasília (2023-2024) and another at São Paulo State University (2025-2025). He is a full professor at the Federal University of Ouro Preto and the manager of the Technology Transfer Office at UFOP-NITE. He develops research on entrepreneurship and innovation.

Márcio Feliciano Braga , Federal University of Ouro Preto (UFOP)

Márcio Feliciano Braga is an adjunct professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at the Federal University of Ouro Preto (UFOP), with a PhD in Electrical Engineering from the State University of Campinas. He worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the State University of Campinas. He is interested in Linear Signals and Systems, Dynamic System Stability, Robust Control, Markovian Systems, Discretization of Uncertain Systems, and Industry 4.0. 

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Publicado

2026-02-03

Cómo citar

cheng, jianhong, Paula Reis , L., Silva , A. L., & Feliciano Braga , M. (2026). A PRELIMINARY REFERENCE ARCHITECTURE FOR INTEGRATING CHARCOAL BLAST FURNACE IRONMAKING PROCESSES: ENHANCING INTEROPERABILITY IN A BRAZILIAN COMPANY. IJIE - Iberoamerican Journal of Industrial Engineering, 18. https://doi.org/10.5007/2175-8018.2026.e108008

Número

Vol. 18 (2026): Iberoamerican Journal of Industrial Engineering (IJIE) - ISSN 2175-8018

Sección

Artículos

Licencia

Derechos de autor 2026 jianhong cheng, Luciana Paula Reis , André Luís Silva , Márcio Feliciano Braga (Autor)

Creative Commons License

Esta obra está bajo una licencia internacional Creative Commons Atribución 4.0.

Ao submeter nosso trabalho à Revista Ibero-americana de Engenharia Industrial (IJIE), os autores compreendem que seu conteúdo será disponibilizado sob a Licença Internacional Creative Commons Atribuição (CC BY) 4.0, que permite o uso, distribuição, troca, adaptação e criação de obras derivadas, inclusive para fins comerciais, desde que a autoria seja claramente atribuída e haja referência à publicação original na IJIE.

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