Phenomenological Based Soft Sensor for Online Estimation of Slurry Rheological Properties

• Published in: International journal of automation and computing Vol. 16; no. 5; pp. 696 - 706
• Main Authors: Diaz C., Jenny L., Muñoz, Diego A., Alvarez, Hernan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Beijing Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences 01.10.2019; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Automation; CAE) and Design; Computer Applications; Computer-Aided Engineering (CAD; Control; Energy; Energy conservation; Engineering; Mechatronics; Mineral processing; Momentum transfer; Non-Newtonian fluids; Phenomenology; Pipe fittings; Research Article; Rheological properties; Rheology; Robotics; Sensors; Slurries; State observers; Variables; Viscosity; unknown input observer; slurry flow; Soft sensor; phenomenological based semi-physical model; non-Newtonian fluids
• ISSN: 1476-8186; 2153-182X; 1751-8520; 2153-1838
• DOI: 10.1007/s11633-018-1132-0

This work proposes a soft sensor based on a phenomenological model for online estimation of the density and viscosity of a slurry flowing through a pipe-and-fittings assembly (PFA). The model is developed considering the conservation principle applied to mass and momentum transfer and considering frictional energy losses to include the variables directly affecting slurry properties. A reported proposal for state observers with unknown inputs is used to develop the first block of the observer structure. The second block is constructed with two options for evaluating slurry viscosity, generating two possible estimator structures, which are tested using real data. A comparison between them indicates different uses and capabilities according to available process information.