WIRELESS TEMPERATURE AND VOLTAGE MONITORING OF ELECTROLYTIC CELLS

摘要

Kennecott Utah Copper Corporation and Outokumpu Technology have developed a new technology to monitor both electrolytic cell voltage and cell electrolyte temperature by using an advanced wireless device that is powered from the cell bus voltage. This technology is combined with the Outokumpu CellSense monitoring system, which brings advances in real-time data monitoring and in evaluation of many refinery operating parameters to yield increased operational efficiency, improved safety and more consistent and higher cathode copper quality. The system enables efficient and timely short clearing, quick responses to tank house disturbances, improved temperature control and early warning of serious operating problems such as low flow levels or critical short counts. The system includes an array of robust and reliable wireless voltage and temperature sensing devices equipped with powerful on-board data processing capabilities. The individual sensor units communicate with the CellSense Server PC through a custom user interface, which ensures the efficient and effective management of the vast data stream from the operation. The wireless sensing technology eliminates the need for hard-wiring and the need for complex local instrumentation systems with high maintenance requirements. Installation involves simple mechanical attachment to the cell and connection to the adjacent buses. The wireless sensor system maintenance is simplified; minimum wiring is required, no instrument calibration is required and advanced self-diagnostics automatically identify faults. This technology been tested for more than two years and has proved to be reliable in difficult commercial tank house environments. The sensor is also applicable to Electro-Winning (EW) cells.