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A problem in mass balance resolution in mineral processing plants is the circulation load in closed-circuits. A family of methods which can be used to solve the circulating load is the iterative methods. This paper shows a low complexity algorithm to calculate the circulation load in closed circuits which allows the construction of mass, metallurgic and water reliable balances. The proposed algorithm was validated against results from Caspeo BILCO software and real industrial data for two different closed-circuits types. The obtained results are satisfactory with respect to the calculated result, processing speed, solution convergence and number of iterations needed to evaluate the circulation load. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Costreduction is a permanent target, pursued in all steel production phases. Production processes that use high volumes of raw materials and big amounts of inputs present excellent opportunities in terms of cost reduction. In this context, the aim of the present paper I to analyse the steps to automatize ferroalloys and deoxidizers calculations for the processes of steel tapping - Ladle Metallurgy -, and secondary refining - Argon Bubbling Stations -, in order to minimize specific cost of these materials and standardize operational procedures, focusing on operation flexibility and options of ferroalloys available in the market. It is developed a mathematical algorithm, updated in real time by the process events, which assess the best materials options, that fulfill all quality requirements of final product, and minimize production costs. As final result, the implementation of this project has allowed the use of low cost ferroalloys, without any risks of operation deviations, resulting in a reduction of CSN's production costs around R$ 4 million per year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]