384
R. Schiemann et al.
different, sometimes conflicting, process targets are made. This results in a more stable process operation with comparatively gentle operating conditions. Additionally,
plant operation is less prone to human errors and decreases operator workload.
To keep the digital solution performant over its whole life cycle, continuous
optimization improvement is suggested, which consists of the following aspects:
• The process models included in the system need to be adjusted from time to time.
While varying plant behavior on short time scales, such as due to load changes can
be taken into account, long-term aging effects need to be accounted for in model
updates. Model changes are required when equipment is modified or modernized.
• Functionality upgrades are done when new digitized process know-how becomes
available. Close monitoring of the digital system can reveal further improvements and new functionalities that, upon implementation, will enhance the overall
solution.
• Periodic reports focusing on operation and utilization of the digital system are
generated and made available to the system users. Such reports typically include
the views of Outotec process experts to enable a deeper understanding of process
bottlenecks and potential plant improvements.
• A remote connection from Outotec back-office to the Outotec hardware on site
through secure and proven technology allows the described adaptations and
improvements as well as inclusion of new features and ensures fast response time
in case of any change in customer requirements.
Features
If set up and maintained as mentioned in the sections above, the described optimizing
systems offer many valuable features, such as:
• Advanced control loops on top of classical PID controllers at DCS level for
stabilization of the plant.
• Operational advice for digital know-how assistance for operators. The system
compares many process variables, analyses them, and creates warnings and advice
in case of inconsistencies, dangerous levels, or unhealthy signals such as due
to measurement faults. Combinations of many different sensors are considered,
whereas human operators tend to focus mainly on single variables, comparing
them against constraints. With this approach, plant-wide comprehensive situational
awareness of the operator is improved. Additionally, the system also informs the
operators on the actions taken and the reasons for them. This way, operator knowhow is preserved and maybe even improved over long-term operation of the system.
• The process optimization system includes mathematical routines for finding the
best possible operating conditions for the feed mixtures and allow for near automatic plant operation close to the possible optimum. These logics provide the
guidelines for the advanced control loops.
R. Schiemann et al.
different, sometimes conflicting, process targets are made. This results in a more stable process operation with comparatively gentle operating conditions. Additionally,
plant operation is less prone to human errors and decreases operator workload.
To keep the digital solution performant over its whole life cycle, continuous
optimization improvement is suggested, which consists of the following aspects:
• The process models included in the system need to be adjusted from time to time.
While varying plant behavior on short time scales, such as due to load changes can
be taken into account, long-term aging effects need to be accounted for in model
updates. Model changes are required when equipment is modified or modernized.
• Functionality upgrades are done when new digitized process know-how becomes
available. Close monitoring of the digital system can reveal further improvements and new functionalities that, upon implementation, will enhance the overall
solution.
• Periodic reports focusing on operation and utilization of the digital system are
generated and made available to the system users. Such reports typically include
the views of Outotec process experts to enable a deeper understanding of process
bottlenecks and potential plant improvements.
• A remote connection from Outotec back-office to the Outotec hardware on site
through secure and proven technology allows the described adaptations and
improvements as well as inclusion of new features and ensures fast response time
in case of any change in customer requirements.
Features
If set up and maintained as mentioned in the sections above, the described optimizing
systems offer many valuable features, such as:
• Advanced control loops on top of classical PID controllers at DCS level for
stabilization of the plant.
• Operational advice for digital know-how assistance for operators. The system
compares many process variables, analyses them, and creates warnings and advice
in case of inconsistencies, dangerous levels, or unhealthy signals such as due
to measurement faults. Combinations of many different sensors are considered,
whereas human operators tend to focus mainly on single variables, comparing
them against constraints. With this approach, plant-wide comprehensive situational
awareness of the operator is improved. Additionally, the system also informs the
operators on the actions taken and the reasons for them. This way, operator knowhow is preserved and maybe even improved over long-term operation of the system.
• The process optimization system includes mathematical routines for finding the
best possible operating conditions for the feed mixtures and allow for near automatic plant operation close to the possible optimum. These logics provide the
guidelines for the advanced control loops.