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New Gimbal Controller from Siemens to Improve Charging in Corex Plant in South Africa
04/17/2013 - Siemens Metals Technologies has received an order from ArcelorMittal South Africa – Saldanha Works, to modernize the controllers of the two Gimbal charging systems in a Corex plant of the company.
Siemens Metals Technologies has received an order from ArcelorMittal South Africa – Saldanha Works, to modernize the controllers of the two Gimbal charging systems in a Corex plant of the company. The Simatic-based Gimbal Controllers will replace systems which have been in use since 2004 and 2006, respectively. Their range of functions will be transferred to a Siemens platform and expanded. The new controllers will ensure smooth movement of the chutes, subject only to low mechanical forces, allowing the charge to be distributed precisely and dynamically in many different charging patterns.
A Corex C-2000 plant has been in operation at ArcelorMittal South Africa’s Saldanha Works since the end of 1998. Two Gimbal charging systems charge the oxide into the reduction shaft, and the coal into the melter gasifier, respectively. The new controllers will enable the chutes to be moved smoothly with low mechanical forces, and so distribute the raw materials precisely. The process engineer will be able to define not only standardized distribution patterns, such as rings, but also any desired pattern with the aid of the "Free Shape" function, for example offset ellipses, clover-leaf patterns and kidney shapes. This will allow geometric and/or process asymmetries to be compensated and improve process operation.
The Gimbal automation system is based on rugged, industrially proven components from Siemens. The modular hardware platform will be complemented by a standardized programming environment. The operator and monitoring system has been expanded to include extensive diagnostic and condition monitoring functions. These include, for example, the detection of loss of the chute, impermissible pressures, electric short circuits, cable breaks and sensor faults. Important operating and diagnostic data are also displayed to the plant personnel on a Simatic Mobile Panel. This makes maintenance considerably easier. For example, hydraulic cylinders can be centered locally, valves can be checked or various process values can be displayed and subjected to a trend analysis. The Gimbal Controllers are scheduled to be commissioned for real plant operation in August this year.
