Advanced monitoring system for granular material thermal treatment

A new advanced monitoring system for granular materials thermal treatment was developed. This system underpinned with a mathematical model of the process consists of tree operational layers: basic control, process control and supervisory control level. Monitoring system is made up of instrumentation, mathematical model, and visualization layers. Instrumentation level was enriched by new types of sensors enlarging measurement possibilities and their precision. Mathematical model is based on first principals. Complex simulation enables to provide forward all required data. The adequacy of real and calculated data is secured by model calibration on measured data. Forward data gained by simulations enables predictive control. Visualisation system is virtual reality based. It enables very effective visual communication with the user. Concept of the monitoring system with visual communication in the virtual reality environment was applied on the rotary furnace for magnesia sintering. Developed visualization system enables spatial presentation, interactivity, user easiness, platform independency and is financially undemanding.