The work performed in DISIRE with respect to the corresponding WPs is as follows:
WP1-Application Scenarios, Impact Goals and Benchmarking was the base for all developments in DISIRE. It contained initial and end-user specifications for the sensing, controlling and data analyzing specifications the technological WP2-4 should follow for the targeted demonstration processes WP5-8.
WP2-Process Modeling and Control developed and validated new modeling and control approaches for the process industry, integrating and exploiting the data obtained from the cloud based PAT and the inline sensing capabilities, aiming to improve the overall control performance, evaluated at the WBF, the cracking furnace and conveyor belt systems.
WP3-Sensor and Electronics developed online PAT sensor and platform technology for process tracing and measurement in harsh environments. RFID tags were developed for tracing the iron ore at LKAB and following copper transportation at the KGHM mine. For the EBF and the WBF, inline modules were developed that can be inserted in the hot processes. For the batch sensor case a fiber optic demonstrator was developed in DCI’s plant to measure the temperature of the LPG.
WP4-Data Mining combined inline sensory data and existing PAT measurements. WP4 designed and evaluated generic data model structures that can be adapted to any kind of process industry, while a Statistical Engine module was developed for efficient utilization of data in different scenarios, while creating an architecture for Big data and cloud implementations.
WP5-Non-Ferrous Mineral Processing focused on the energy efficiency of the Belt Conveyor system. Based on electricity consumption and material weight data for the copper mines of KGHM, dashboards were developed on the cloud infrastructure enabling the analysis of trends and efficiency indicators. WP5 also developed PAT and data mining applications for underground ore transportation. A general layout of PAT workflow was introduced, followed by successful field trials for the ore flow tracking.
WP6-Ferrous Mineral Processing performed experiments on the cold side for segregation in a lab-scale and a real sized silo. The surrounding environment of the product bins turned out to be very challenging for the electronic equipment. Tracers were dropped onto train wagons after the pelletizing plant in Malmberget. All the large tracers survived the severe pressure and all collected data were retrieved. In the hot side, WP6 made pilot scale testings on LKAB's EBF, where several PAT sensors were dropped into the furnace but the radio environment was very challenging and must be investigated further. WP6 also evaluated inline PAT sensors in a pelletizing plant at Kiruna KK4. WP6 demonstrated that in-situ sensors and readers can operate and survive in extreme environments.
WP7-Steel demonstrated successfully the full DISIRE architecture based on inline sensing, online PAT, cloud streaming, big data analytics and IPC reconfiguration on the WBF. 4 large industrial trials were conducted, 1 at the EBF and 3 at the WBF. The results were promising but more work is needed before the developed framework can step up from today’s TRL 6.
WP8-Combustion process focused on the increase of efficiency of combustion and the prediction and reduction of NOx pollutant emission in cracking furnaces. The main goal was to develop an image-based flame diagnosis tool, and a full scale demonstrator for the flame diagnosis tool and the fiber optic temperature measurements was produced.
WP9-Dissemination and innovation. DISIRE was selected as a success story twice at the impact annual meetings organized by SPIRE. The consortium published over 50 articles and attended over 20 conferences. A Technology Exploitation Strategy was created, while WP9 delivered “Business Models Generation Canvas”, “Lean Canvas”, “Value Proposition Design” methodologies to ensure the optimum exploitation of generated business opportunities. Also, an Interactive Innovation Toolkit and an Innovation Management Office were created.
