A hybrid, knowledge-based system as a process control 'tool' for improved energy efficiency in alumina calcining furnaces

Kontopoulos, A; Krallis, K; Koukourakis, E; Denaxas, N; Kostis, N; Broussaud, A; Guyot, O

dc.contributor.author	Kontopoulos, A	en
dc.contributor.author	Krallis, K	en
dc.contributor.author	Koukourakis, E	en
dc.contributor.author	Denaxas, N	en
dc.contributor.author	Kostis, N	en
dc.contributor.author	Broussaud, A	en
dc.contributor.author	Guyot, O	en
dc.date.accessioned	2014-03-01T01:12:33Z
dc.date.available	2014-03-01T01:12:33Z
dc.date.issued	1997	en
dc.identifier.issn	1359-4311	en
dc.identifier.uri	https://dspace.lib.ntua.gr/xmlui/handle/123456789/12127
dc.subject	Alumina calcination	en
dc.subject	Energy savings	en
dc.subject	Expert control systems	en
dc.subject.classification	Thermodynamics	en
dc.subject.classification	Energy & Fuels	en
dc.subject.classification	Engineering, Mechanical	en
dc.subject.classification	Mechanics	en
dc.title	A hybrid, knowledge-based system as a process control 'tool' for improved energy efficiency in alumina calcining furnaces	en
heal.type	journalArticle	en
heal.identifier.primary	10.1016/S1359-4311(96)00078-6	en
heal.identifier.secondary	http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1359-4311(96)00078-6	en
heal.language	English	en
heal.publicationDate	1997	en
heal.abstract	This paper describes the development and implementation of a hybrid SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system for the air suspension 'flash' alumina calciner at Aluminium de Grece St. Nicholas plant. The system includes two additional modules, an 'expert system' based on 10 years of commissioning and operating experience and a dynamic model continuously predicting the quality of the product. It is implemented on an industrial PC under an industrial control software environment and interfaces to the furnace through a programmable logic controller (PLC) system. The system guides the furnace operator to reduce sensible heat losses by operating with a marginal excess air flow rate, to take advantage of the higher energy efficiency at higher production rates and, at the same time, to avoid potentially dangerous operating conditions leading to loss of production and consequential energy losses. It also performs the traditional SCADA functions (data acquisition, maintaining history files for important parameters and display of important operating parameters in both a mimic process diagram and a series of graphs.) In addition to these tasks a simplified dynamic model gives the operator a prediction of the current value of the main product quality parameter, which can only be measured with laboratory equipment. Preliminary results have shown that reduction of secondary air flow rate and reduced downtime achieved by the operator under the guidance of the system can reduce energy consumption by as much as 10%. A similar, or even greater, improvement in energy efficiency can be expected by implementing a similar system to cement calcination kilns based on the same technology. © European Communities 1997. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.	en
heal.publisher	PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD	en
heal.journalName	Applied Thermal Engineering	en
dc.identifier.doi	10.1016/S1359-4311(96)00078-6	en
dc.identifier.isi	ISI:A1997YC80500023	en
dc.identifier.volume	17	en
dc.identifier.issue	8-10	en
dc.identifier.spage	935	en
dc.identifier.epage	945	en