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

Abstract

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.