System description

The system is a hardware-software complex which is oriented towards automatization of control over concentration of critical chemicals in the technological process.

Solution description

• Hardware:
  
  • Intelligent parameterized chemical analyzers with graphic interface;
  • PC to control a technological line;
  • PC to provide a connection of several lines to a common analyzer (optionally).

• Control software:
  • fastCenter

Img. 1. A line with two analyzers

Img. 2. Controlling similar processes on two lines with the help of a common analyzer

Control software

• Control program algorithms and communication logic are a part of a technological line software and can be integrated either at the installation stage or after the production run has begun

• Programming language
• Structured text (ST)

• Communication with analyzers
• Ethernet

• Hardware platform
• x86

Functionality description

• Control software generates a measurement request for analyzer depending on the state of a technological line;
• Analyzer initiates a measurement procedure, e.g. based on titration or chromatographic analysis;
• Analysis duration depends on its type, but mostly can be placed in the range from 30 seconds to 20 minutes;
• When measurement process is finished, analyzer sends the results to the controlling system;
• Line’s control software handles the results and, depending on the received value, automatically adjusts process parameters if there is a need.

System advantages

• Improvement of stability and safety of a technological process;
• Maintenance of critical chemicals concentration value in the tolerance range;
• Monitoring of critical chemicals concentration value during operation time and down-time;
• Possibility to control extremely unstable chemical components;
• Possibility of using a single Analyzer to control similar processes of several neighbour lines;
• Reduction of "human factor" influence over controlling the process;
• Reduction of chemistry laboratory workload.

The results of unstable process automatic regulation

The following charts represent the change in concentration of regulated chemical component during a period of time.

The measured concentration is represented by a dark-blue line. The point in the line corresponds the time when measurement takes place.

A blue line reflects the intended concentration value.

Orange and red lines set the limits (warning and alarm respectively).

Before the system implementation:

After the system implementation:

Before the system implementation:

After the system implementation: