Control of granular processes
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Umeå universitet - Institutionen för matematik och matematisk statistik |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 4 000 000 |
| Project duration | August 2014 - December 2016 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | Strategic innovation programme for process industrial IT and automation – PiiA |
| Call | 2014-00686-en |
Important results from the project
The project has contributed to new knowledge, simulation based methods and tools for design, control and optimization of industrial processes with granular flows. Specifically, new design and control solutions for iron ore pelletizing have been developed. Furthermore, generic solutions to interconnect control and granular simulation software have been realized. The computational performance of granular simulation has been improved radically. The project has thus fulfilled its main purpose and goal.
Expected long term effects
The project has resulted in proposals for new design and control solutions for processes at LKAB. Several have been implemented and are expected to reduce the process variations and thus increase product quality, and decrease wear and material losses through less abrasive flows. The granular simulation and control software interoperability makes it easy to test the new ideas. SMEs are expected to grow as by realizing new products and services, and spread these to other customers.
Approach and implementation
An interface between granular simulation and control software was created based on open standards and made an advanced granular process simulator available for control experts. The simulator also functioned as a demonstrator to stimulate implementation in the plant and for knowledge dissemination outside the project. The increased computational performance enabled testing of more solutions in short time. The project structure allowed the participants to focus on their respective field of expertise.