RE:RE:Asking EXPERTS hereThe engineering authorized by a "modeling contract" will examine the existing process flow sheet , which details all the parameters heat balance, air flow, chemical reactions, physical degradation or improvement to the product quality etc to see what the effect is of changing the burners from fossil fuel to plasma torches. If you are really interested in understanding all that is implied go back in the blog to a fellow named cooch who put up a very serious Swedish study ( masters level) that was undertaken to clarify what would need to be looked at. It did some looking, but more was required.
Peter knows his torches and fully understands what they can do. The plant operators will have to see how their process will have to be adapted in order to get the maximum benefit from Peters torches. To say that no adaptions, other than sticking a torche (s) in new holes in the pellet machine, are required is, IMHO, an over simplification. That does not mean that they will be complicated, difficult, or expensive just that they cannot be ignored and will take time on the critical path to start-up.
A contract to do modelling does not have to be a big deal. The Swedes are very professional and certainly understand their process, but lots of stuff is going on the a bed of pellets on a grate and in a kiln. They are looking at microwaves too. A final project could include plasma torches , micro waves, and hydrogen or nat gas. Problem to be solved: how do you replace the huge radiant effect of the burner at the exit of a kiln. ? The radiant heat hardens the pellets and that is a good thing not to lose. That is not Peter's problem, but it cannot be ignored by the operator. The quality of these products is what makes them so desireable to steel makers and allows these companies to compete with lower quality blast furnace feed available in great quanties from Australia and elswhere known as direct shipping ore ( no processing other than screening).