Authors: A. Daenuwy, P.T. Inco, Soroako, Indonesia,
A.D. Dalvi and M. Y. Solar, Inco, Mississauga, Ontario
B. Wasmund, Hatch Associates Ltd., Mississauga, Ontario
Proceedings of the International Symposium on Non Ferrous Pyrometallurgy - Trace Metals Furnace Practices and Energy Efficiency
Abstract
The paper describes the development of components in an Integrated Furnace Control system for shielded-arc smelting focusing on operation and crucible integrity enhancement. The paper reviews the mechanisms of power, feed and energy input and losses into the shielded-arc smelting process and describes the furnace control system module development and integration to tailor the process. The ultimate success of a furnace control system application is transfer of knowledge, training, and operational support during furnace start-up and ramp-up phases and a model for how this has been achieved is discussed. The control modules of a shielded-arc laterite smelting furnace are described in detail including measured results and screen captures from application in a laterite smelting furnace. This paper focuses on developments in Integrated Furnace Controls tailored to shielded-arc laterite smelting but development of common furnace control modules for improved crucible and tapping operation integrity applied to other furnace processes, including immersed-arc smelting, is also covered.
