A Distributed System for Data collection on a Blast Furnace

Abstract

This paper describes a data collection system installed at the Number 5 Blast Furnace at Iscor’s Newcastle Works. The paper reviews the operational and investigational requirements leading up to the decision to install the data collection system on an existing plant which already has a computer system installed. The system architecture is described. A powerful mini-computer is the nucleus of the Central System. Three microprocessor-based scanner systems capture real-time process data from existing transducer equipment, and transmit this data to the central system. Two microprocessor-based data entry stations are located in laboratory facilities near the blast furnace. A “workstation” computer provides the resource required for in-depth studies of plant behaviour. The workstation, data entry stations and scanners are all connected to the central system via a single multi-drop serial highway. Software for the system is based on the manufacturer’s standard operating system and network control package. A standard commercial database management system, with its associated enquiry package, is used to provide the historical database facility and many of the standard management reports.