Limitations on the Applications of Advanced Process Control in Mineral Processing Operations

Abstract

Abstract The development of advanced control theory has received considerable attention in academia over the past two decades, and extensive applications can be found in the literature for systems other than industrial process control, for example, vehicle control, robot control, electrical machines and systems control. Applications in the process industry are gradually increasing, see for example [I]. However, relatively few industrial examples of advanced control applications have been reported for the mineral processing industry. A review of the current status of modern control as applied to mineral processing operations (MPO) is given in this paper. The limitations of these techniques which have caused reluctance in their acceptance by the industry are discussed. Two case studies of our experiences in applying modern control techniques in alumina refineries are presented. Insights are also provided on how to bridge the gap between academia and industrial practice of process control in this area.