´ A. Desbiens, E. Nunez, R. del Villar, D. Hodouin, and E. Poulin ´˜
Energy efficiency, process observation, process control, process opti- mization, grinding control, electric arc furnace, induration furnace
Because of globalization and international competition, mineral processing plant managers seek at reducing production costs. These plants are major energy consumers and therefore energy efficiency is becoming an important objective. Other incentives are the energy cost that will probably continue to rise and the environmental and social pressures for reducing energy consumption. Using more energy efficient equipment is a first approach. Better plant operation using on-line data processing, as described in this paper, is another way to improve energy efficiency. On-line data processing consists in using the measurements provided by sensors and the knowledge of the plant behaviour to automatically, continuously and adequately manipulate plant actuators. An ideal on-line data processing is made up of three hierarchic layers: process observation, process control and process optimization. The layers, their interaction and their energetic benefits are described. Some case studies illustrate the energy efficiency improvements provided to mineral processing plants by using on-line data processing techniques.
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