Ots system for flash furnace operator training in Chuquicamata

摘要

Currently the industry needs to be very efficient; processes need to be operated in a dynamically optimal form, taking into account both the technical and economic standpoints. At the same time, be in compliance with environmental regulations and still generating high quality products. These conditions have generated interest in the technology of dynamic simulation and operator training systems (OTS).For the potential benefits that can be generated by these dynamic simulation systems, the Automation Department, in its roadmap, has driven the implementation of such applications in Codelco.Thus, Chuquicamata has developed a high fidelity, dynamic process simulator for the flash furnace system. The flash furnace system replaced the existing concentrate burner with a new high-tech and complex new burner. In addition, this flash furnace faced the challenge of changing the feed material characteristics drastically by using feed material (calcine) from another Codelco plant.These situations led to the development of a dynamic simulator (OTS) to train operators for the new operational scenarios they would face. The scope of the project involved both the flash furnace and key equipment from the flash boiler. From the point of view of the operational systems, the OTS included the integration of both PLCs and DCS systems.The initial goal, resulting from use of the OTS, was to adequately train the operators to operate the new burner with the change in feed material composition.In conclusion, the OTS allowed Codelco to adequately train the operators with respect to the new burner and to the change in feed material composition.