Simulation experiment platform for optimal control of the raw slurry blending process in the alumina production

Raw slurry blending process is the important process in the alumina production. This process has the complicated characteristics such as the fluctuation of chemical content of the raw materials, variation of the working station, and uncertainty. It is difficult to use the conventional control strategy to realize the optimization control for the raw slurry blending processes. Lots of experiments and simulations for the advanced and complicated optimal control must be implemented before they are utilized in the industrial process. In order to provide a appropriate research platform for the optimal control of the raw slurry blending process, a hardware-in-the-loop simulation platform is proposed with the view of industry. The proposed hardware-in-the-loop simulation platform is different to the conventional simulation software, which is composed of the optimal model computer, virtual equipment of the actuator and sensor, Rockwell PLC. All the signals in this platform are the standard industry signals. The proposed platform can be use as an effective platform for the research of the modeling, control and optimization of the raw slurry blending process.