Hi Technical guide: on-site calibration — doing more with less.

Hi Technical guide: on-site calibration — doing more with less.

‘On-site calibration — doing more with less’

Day-to-day activities, such as carrying out maintenance or emergency repairs, commissioning new equipment or conducting on-site checks, need to be simplified because of the reduction in personnel and increase in workload. As this guide from GE Measurement & Control explains, use of the most advanced on-site instrumentation is imperative in order to maintain and calibrate today’s intelligent, high-precision equipment; this aspect applies to all process applications.

Hi Pollution Monitoring In Cement Industry!.

Hi Pollution Monitoring In Cement Industry!.

The rising use of waste based fuels in the cement industry, both for economic and Environmental objectives, combined with the strengthening of air emission regulations around the world is pushing many operators to face a wider list of pollutants to monitor this, with associated costs. 

The design of appropriate solutions meeting local regulation is the key to maximize the cost benefit of the fuel while maintaining good relationships with local authorities and populations.

Besides the usually requested parameters, like SO2, NOx, CO, total particulate matter, and NH3, additional parameters can also be measured such as HCl, HF, Dioxins & Furans (PCDD/PCDF), Mercury (Hg) and VOC/TOC.

The monitoring of each gas pollutant, when required, can pose specific difficulties, but in general keeping the cost low means trying to operate a multi components analyzer able to measure all of them, except Dioxins & Furans and Mercury which requires very specific technologies and dedicated sampling devices.

Various manufacturers have developed a broad range of analyzers and sampling systems dedicated to meet cement operator needs according to their local regulation. 

Some of these solutions are described below:

The MIR 9000H developed by Environnement S.A (France) is a new generation of heated NDIR analyzer able to simultaneously measure  traditional components such as NOx, SO2, CO, CO2 and O2, in addition to H2O and pollutants like NH3 and HCl, representing a very cost effective, turnkey solution. 

This analyzer was designed to be operated without any chiller, drying membrane, or catalytic oven, allowing the flues gas directly into the measurement cell without any kind of disturbance. 

The entire system being heated to 180°C (~360°F), no condensation can occur even in extremely wet conditions with up to 40% moisture. 

This analyzer’s robust design is particularly suited to demanding wet stack gas mixtures, including those with potentially high NH3, HCl and HF content. Indeed, this analyzer is completely immune to NH3, HCl and HF: both its integrity and its metrological performances being unaffected.

As a cost effective heated analyzer, the MIR 9000H is also an ideal solution for process control to monitor ammonia slips in SCR/SNCR processes. 

In these processes, either ammonia or urea can be used. It is important to stress out that in the case of urea, MIR 9000H takes into account the N2O which is created as a by product. MIR 9000H can also cope with formaldehyde, a compound which can be produced with some types of fuels and cause problems to NDIR measurements.

For low SO2, HCl or NOx concentrations, the SEC-MIR9000 system combining an exclusive membrane based drying technology (sampling) and state of the art NDIR multigas analyzer remains the perfect solution.

It allows for the measurement of a wide range of pollutants, including also CO, CO2, HF and TOC, as well as N2O and formaldehyde for interference corrections purposes.

The SEC-MIR9000 system, while being technically speaking an extractive system, also exists as an in-sit setup (MIR IS). 

Very low NOx concentrations can also be measured with a chemiluminescence CEMS bench, either as an option of an NDIR system, or as a standalone analyzer.

FTIR: Environnement S.A was the first company to introduce the FTIR technology for CEMS application and remains a leader. 

This technology allows the monitoring of a wide range of pollutants, including SO2, NOx, CO, CO2, NH3, HCl, HF and VOC/TOC, with low measurement ranges, making it the ideal solution for the strictest regulations.

Dioxin is an increasing source of suspicion by neighbour populations in regards to waste or alternative fuels combustion. 

The AMESA-D continuous sampler allows for a continuous coverage of dioxin emission and is already considered the standard for monitoring dioxins/furans around the world.

Beside the emissions of PCDD/PCDF there are other emissions of compounds which are not or not so easy to be monitored continuously. 

E.g. mercury can be monitored continuously, but for plants with low concentrations in the range of µg/m3 the accuracies of the existing mercury CEMs depend very strong on the experiences and maintenance efforts of the operators. 

Otherwise the results are not accurate enough. Additional the availability of such systems is restricted.

The continuous Hg Sorbent Trap Measurement System (STMS) AMESA-M represents a cost effective alternative to mercury analyzers, especially when the limit or detection is low and that complex and expensive technologies are necessary. 

The system is based on the adsorption trap method described in the performance specifications 12B of the MACT standard for the continuous monitoring of mercury emissions and is suitable for nearly every application.

The AMESA-M system requires very low maintenance and is adapted to the different flue gas conditions and requirements given by the operators: its availability under difficult flue gas conditions could be kept by values of almost 100 %.

Hi Industry Challenge.! Mining Discussions, Events, Webinars, Whitepapers & Much More!

Hi Industry Challenge.!
Mining Discussions, Events, Webinars, Whitepapers & Much More!

This Industry Challenge Shifts Focus On The Mining Sector & Introduces Utilising Data Analytics in Mining as the scope on mining ventilation is broadened to cover other aspects in the mining sector.

Hi Discussion Focus On; Utilising Data Analytics in Mining;

On Day One of Mining IQ’s Mine Automation and Communication conference taking place in Brisbane, Australia in April 2014, an interactive discussion was organised around the highly relevant topic of data. 

Inevitably with the growth in automated projects and operations, the volume and variety of data being collected by mining companies has significantly increased. However, with this comes the inevitable increase of challenges surrounding data collection, analysis and utilisation at a strategic level.

The attendees therefore were tasked with debating the following:

It’s all in the Data – Collecting Usable Data for Smarter Business Decisions

Data can often become redundant if it doesn’t reflect the most critical components and systems of your operation.

Furthermore, if information isn't captured at the right time, or in the right format, its value to the business is virtually diminished.

•             How you can ensure that the data you’re collecting is usable? What quality control measures should you have in place?
•             Quantity vs. Quality – which should be prioritised in automated operations?
•             Who is responsible in the organisation, or automation project, for data collection and analysis? The project manager, data scientist, engineer, or someone else?

In response to the first question, most were agreed that agreeing upon what you're trying to achieve and working back from there was imperative. 

You can then ascertain if the data you have is enabling you to make the correct decisions and achieve the results you set out for.

Heavily connected into deciding what you're trying to achieve, is who can get benefit from it? An important tip on this front was that you might need to take a more holistic view beyond just your own departmental needs to the wider organisation’s needs, even if it does end up with one other specific department, such as engineering.

The majority of the ensuing discussion focused around the second question and the quantity vs. quality challenge. The room was divided over how to take on this challenge, but formed into three quite distinct groups:

1. You shouldn't prioritise; you should focus equally on quality and quantity, and ensure you have a method in place to address both. 

Quantity is easier to manage in this relationship though, so long as you have the correct data collection and analytics systems in place that are appropriate for your individual business’ needs.

For managing quality, you should start with a clear requirement in mind that can drive the project forward. 

On this front you need to make sure the content of the data is appropriate for your site or project. 

This is relatively easy when looking at one particular function, such as production control, or drill and blast, but can become more demanding when you move towards applying it on a commercial or strategic level.

A particular mention was made here about the different challenges facing brownfield vs. greenfield sites. 

With greenfield sites it is easier to set a strategy and parameters from the get go, whereas this is inherently harder in a brownfield operation. 

This is particularly true in relation to suppliers, who will be used to working in a certain way with your operation.

2. Quality should come first – without quality, there is no point in gathering vast amounts of data. 

To improve quality, ensure you’re monitoring the way data is recorded. 

Once you are satisfied with the results of your smaller sample, you can start to increase the volume of data collection and analysis.

3. The final grouping felt that you should find quantity drives the quality.

Particular projects will finds that larger volumes of data can be far more useful than a small amount of highly accurate data.

Often to diagnose faults in equipment, or processes, you need a high frequency of data to be able to do this swiftly.

As you ramp up your data management strategy, and bring your equipment manufacturers and suppliers into the equation, you have to figure out how you can improve the quality of your data management, from the perspective of during collection, but also in terms of the analysis done on it. 

However, until you’re reaching large quantities of data on any operation, there’s not too much point in worrying about the quality. It’s only once you reach larger quantities that you have the potential of using it to improve production, or drive efficiencies in any real capacity.

Importantly when discussing quantity – bear in mind the more you start collecting, the more storage and backup requirements you will require – more is not always best!

When it came to the third question, this was decidedly difficult to get a definitive response from the room! The general consensus was that it depended upon the maturity of the operation, as there can be many stakeholders, champions, and project owners, and can be based both on site and in the office.

Hi Attend Focus Highlight; By Webinar Event 

Registration & Information:

*Register Your Participation in the Webinar Hosted by Mining IQ Held On Monday May 5, 2014 Highlighting Topic Of Big Data Analytics in Mining - Driving Results in your Business;

Click Here Or Image Above To Register For Webinar Event On May 5th 2014 Hosted By IQ Mining.

This online, free event will address the following shared industry challenges:

• Where to begin? How do you kick off your big data strategy and what’s really important to drive it.
• How you can facilitate faster and more responsive business decisions based on business analytics and predictive analytics.
• How to overcome stumbling blocks such as legacy systems, IP and privacy aspects as well as storage and security challenges.
• Understanding how to best define rules around how data gets procured, stored, maintained and used to achieve the best business outcomes.

View The Latest Mining Content, Event Details, Videos, Whitepapers & Alternative Webinars & Much More Mining Related Content, Visit Mining IQ By Clicking The Image Above Or The Link Available By Clicking Here.

Hi Added Focus Event; Mining and Quarrying Oman 2014

Visit the event official homepage For Further Event Details by clicking the link here.

Oman’s 700 km long and 150km wide mountains contain the best exposed ophiolite suite of rocks, which are favorable for copper, gold, silver, chromite, lead, nickel, manganese and zinc. 

Significant growth is expected over the next five years to help diversify the Sultanate's economy and create jobs for Omani nationals.

High set-up and operational costs mean Producers seek technologies, equipment and methods to increase production capacity, reduce downtime and optimise material flow to achieve higher profits. Drill and blast technologies can reduce processing costs and requirements whilst extending the lifecycle of the site. 

In addition, effective equipment selection and management can eliminate downtime and achieve higher material flow.

The recent requirement to add value to raw materials prior to export, has led to Producers seeking investment and partnerships to develop beneficiation plants and is likely to result in the development of a downstream industry.

3 reasons to invest in Oman's mining and quarrying industries:

• 1A. Expansion of existing mine and quarry sites to increase production capacity, output and profits.
• 2B. Development of processing facilities to add value to raw materials and support Oman's downstream industries for job creation.
• 3C. Eight large non-metallic mineral reserves were located in 2012/13 which are demanded by every industry - particularly with the limestone and gabbro required for the Dubai Expo 2020 and the Qatar 2022 Fifa World Cup. 
• 
  
• Download  Mining and Quarrying Oman 2014 Brochure by clicking the link here or view it below;

• *With such a high demand, prices for primary materials are expected to increase considerably.

What delegates say about Mining and Quarrying Oman:

"It was a very well organised event. The efforts are much appreciated and it was a great event for meeting similar industries and operators from the mining industry, where ideas and skills are exchangeable."

Director – Technical Services, Saudi Arabian Mining Company, Maaden.

Hi Continuum Topic Whitepaper; Aurizon presentation: Integrating Disparate SCADA Systems and How Virtualisation Can Help;

At IQPC's SCADA Australia conference in October 2013, Kanwar Cheema, Design Manager - Control Systems from Aurizon joined us to share with us Aurizon's experience of integrating disparate SCADA systems and how virtualisation can be instrumental in driving that successfully. Kanwar's presentation covered:

• Hurdles in integrating disparate SCADA systems.

• Benefits that can be achieved in efficiency and safety.

• Is virtualisation a solution that can contribute to integration?

• Could there be a “template system” that can be created?

Aurizon are joining us again this year for SCADA Australia , discussing practical methods for upgrading SCADA communication systems and networks to ensure reliability and speed. 

This year's SCADA event will focus on increasing SCADA departments' strategic value to the business. 

To achieve this they are looking to improve their communication systems and drive integration to enable them to use the extracted data across the organisation as a valuable source of information.

"If you're not positioned to harness the potential of your collected data sets then your attendance at this conference is a must! Learn from expert speakers from APA Group, BlueScope Steel, PanAust, Calibre Global and many more. Check out the website now by clicking the link here Or click the image below."

Click Here To Download The Whitepaper Presentation Or View & Gain Accesses Directly Viewing Below;