Evaluation of advanced industrial control projects: a framework for determining economic benefits

摘要

A framework for the evaluation of advanced control projects is illustrated in this paper by way of a case study on level control in mineral flotation. The approach taken is to investigate how improvements brought about by advanced control can be measured to a required level of statistical significance, after the controller has been commissioned. Measured improvements are translated into increases cash flow that result from implementing an advanced controller, which is then used for project evaluation. As an introduction to the case study, a framework for establishing advanced controllers for industrial processes, which culminates in determining economic benefits, is discussed. Ways of obtaining controller benefits through the reduction of downtime and product variations, are also described. The risk of implementing an advanced control project is discussed together with typical scenarios under which such projects are often undertone.