OptSim© software licenses

Simplifying the path to reach your goals.

OptSim© was developed by CEMI for dynamic simulation of mineral processing processes, both on-line and off-line.

Process simulation technology has a wide application, such as in existing process analyzes and optimizations, new plant designs, equipment sizing, mass balances and even operator training. Thus, its use as a tool in the industry brings a high return on investment, besides the acquisition of the domain and knowledge of the processes.

The use of dynamic simulation represents a new milestone in the field of optimization of mineral processes. The possibility of simulating, using statistical inferences, the natural variability of the parameters of a plant, such as its feeding, leads to results that can show the horizon of the whole operation over a given period.

It is also possible to change parameters that show the efficiency of the equipment, showing its wear over time and even the recovery of normal values, after a maintenance stop.

Among the main benefits brought by offline dynamic simulation technology, we can mention:

  • Sensitivity study;
  • New projects;
  • Identification of bottlenecks;
  • Sequential mining simulation;
  • Environmental impact assessment.

On the other hand, the technology can be applied in an online way, interconnected directly to the process.

Among the main benefits brought by online dynamic simulation technology, we can mention:

  • Soft Sensor or Virtual Sensor;
  • Training on process control;
  • Statistical evaluation for optimization;
  • Advanced calculation of new control set-points.

OptSim© is a powerful and reliable tool for developing a database and evaluating process performance.

Just as, applied as a soft sensor, it becomes a valuable tool in estimating unmeasured variables of these processes.

The system consists of:

  • An external static simulator, which represents at every moment the reality of the plant;
  • A database, where information about process variability is found, used as the basis for changing the input parameters of the static simulator at each cycle, in addition to the important function of storing the obtained results;
  • It is a structure with a specialized system using nebulous logic, composed of several modules, the main ones being the following:
    • Management of actions;
    • Conditional statistics;
    • Advanced tuning.

The action management module can be configured to make the decisions usually taken by the operators, presenting a report of data and results. This report will indicate the performance of the plant, thus understanding the good and bad practices of process control.

Alternatively, good control practices can be tested using data obtained online, allowing for the detection of failures in current procedures and leading to a real knowledge of the process.

The reliability of the system relies heavily on the validation of the data acquired for the simulation studies. The values collected in the plant show systemic and/or random errors, which could harm or distort the analyses. Using the statistical and management modules, careful analysis and corrections are inserted into the input data, which are validated.

It is important to note that the input data used by OptSim© can be acquired directly from the plant by deploying appropriate communication, or even from a pre-structured database such as those provided by PIMS.

Another great benefit of OptSim© is the module of phenomenological models, which incorporate in the system the actual operation of the processes.

The physical models of each equipment allow its detailed evaluation and the accomplishment of tests and analyzes of different possibilities or alternatives to be implanted in the real process.

The use of statistical models, such as the normal curve, to simulate process feed variability provides important data that can be used for future planning and related decisions.

The advanced tuning module, which uses the Kalman Filter, performs the automatic adaptation of the simulator parameters, guaranteeing its robustness and reliability.