Modeling power use at processing plant

Abstract

The mining industry is the uttermost energy consumer in economy, owing to the specific nature and variety of process flows included in mineral extraction and primary processing. The energy performance of process flows in the mining industry is determined as functions of adopted physical realization concepts, available mining equipment stock-list and many other factors. In this regard, it is necessary to inter-relate process variables and power levels of process equipment and facilities irrespective of process flows. The power use forecasting using an intelligent forecast system is discussed as a case-study of a processing plant. The consumed power determination model is constructed. The modeling results are proved by instrumental measurements taken in different working conditions. The model defines the influence exerted by various production and engineering factor on the specific energy consumption by a plant or by specific process flows, which offers a framework for the design of integrated and more complex information systems for the production process monitoring at processing plants. The processing plant power consumption simulations using the proposed model can enable the power demand control which is a source of the power system flexibility for a user to manage the power system load. The power demand management is the tool of maintenance and control of the demand and supply balance in the electric energy market, and allows the power system capacity to be adjusted in real time, which enhances the power system reliability. A component of the demand management technology is the mechanism of the price-promoted power use, which means that a user administers its own power demand with a view to the power cost minimization.