Introduction - Advanced Control and Supervision of Mineral Processing Plants - page 9

plied to a single piece of equipment, a unit operation or a plant section. In gen-
eral, this function is always associated with process analysis functions, since it
requires information concerning relevant constraints and variables affecting the
operational performance. Before implementing this function, it is always advis-
able to perform holistic process analysis, so that improvements throughout the
process can be identified.
3. Fault detection. It aims at promptly detecting failures in the equipment and au-
tomation hardware and/or software. Data reconciliation plays an important role
in implementing fault detection functions.

The relationship between all these functions is depicted in Figure 1.3. As de-
scribed in previous sections, mineral processing plants contain integrated operations
involving multiple processes in which all automation functions are required to oper-
ate in a safe and economical way. The possible benefits offered by the implementa-
tion of these advanced functions can only be achieved if the functional specifications
of the automation system are clearly defined.

PI
2234

TI
2132

LI
2311

FI
4321

Figure 1.3 Functions of an automation system