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The Journey Into Mining Transformation

Aw 152522 Schneider17 Mallengajardocodelco

通过数字技术,今天的采矿组织正在努力将思维定势从增加吞吐量转变为提高生产率。除此之外,还有很多机会不仅可以进一步优化,而且还可以帮助操作员做出直接达到底线的决策。

“Once you have stable operations running close to the maximum sustainable throughput, there’s room for some further optimization through advanced applications,” noted Doug Warren, vice president of software, industry solutions, for Schneider Electric. “And how to bring the workforce on that journey through operator training and simulation.”

一个关键词是“旅程”。Codelco是一家智利国有铜矿公司,在其超耐铝过程中实施了高级流程控制(APC)和操作员培训系统(OTS),花了十多年的时间。在此过程中,Codelco意识到了重大的好处,还远远没有完成。在本周在得克萨斯州圣安东尼奥市的Schneider Electric的创新峰会:2017年软件会议上,Codelco详细介绍了它的去向,前进的位置以及沿途的各种亮点。

“这不是一个项目,而是一段旅程,”拉姆·埃尔南德斯(RamónHernández)说,拉丁美洲的矿业,金属和矿物质的软件业务开发经理为施耐德电气。“从这里到五年或十年,我们将做什么?我们与Codelco一起构建该路线图。”

It’s been a 13-year journey so far for Codelco, which first implemented APC at its El Teniente division in 2004. “In 2008, after successful implementations of APC projects at three divisions, we started to discuss about how to support the digital transformation of Codelco with advanced solutions,” Hernández said.

Now Schneider Electric is looking to get a fifth advanced solutions development agreement signed with Codelco—to continue a journey that has included advanced control, dynamic simulation and business control on smelter processes; mobile solutions to help maintenance keep track of assets and records; 10 APC implementations to date; and one of the first operator training system (OTS) implementations in mining using dynamic simulation technology.

负责Codelco项目开发和实施的自动化工程师MallénGajardo描述了需要在铜浓缩液的冶炼中进行高级优化的需求。他说:“炉子是一个非常复杂的控制问题。”和输出变量,包括白金属中的铜,炉渣温度和炉渣中的磁铁矿。

Gajardo说,Codelco面临的是炉渣温度,白金铜和炉渣中的磁铁矿的高可变性。铜浓缩物成分也很可变。没有在线分析热液体;该过程是高度内部和互动性的。它涉及非常复杂的动态。

With APC, those variables were improved across the board:

  • 炉渣温度变异性降低了31%。
  • 矿渣变异性中的磁铁矿降低了20%。
  • 白金属变异性中的铜降低了28%。

But the acid plant was the bigger APC application, Gajardo said, with 42 manipulated variables, 37 controlled variables and nine feedforward variables.

Gajardo说:“在过去的十年中,我们在高温耐铝过程中实施了几种APC解决方案和OTS。”但是,他在此过程中特别强调的一定要点,例如高级应用程序的公司标准,这是2013年创建的制定文档,该文档定义了Codelco的PyromeTallurgy流程中APC的标准。

加贾尔多还强调了支持服务的重要性,该服务于今年始于施耐德电气。他说:“为申请提供支持是非常非常有必要的。”“这是我的建议。”

Hernández指出,今年,施耐德电气(Schneider Electric)获得了一份合同,以评估和实施Codelco Ventanas的实时会计(RTA)系统,该系统将能够从美元角度显示关键绩效指标(KPI)。他说:“整个行动将从财务角度进行优化。”

随着Codelco的数字化转型的旅程持续,商店中有几个计划:

  • 开发an OTC based on dynamic simulation for the acid plant at Codelco Ministro Hales.
  • 在Codelco Ventanas进行的RTA研究之后,实施了一个商业中心以根据金融KPI做出决策。
  • 开发a remote operations center in Codelco Ventanas to operate based on business objectives.
  • Support current APC and OTS implementations, including upgrades as necessary.
  • Deploy mobile solutions in other divisions.
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