Multivariable Control Application for the Flash Furnace at Codelco Norte

Today, the economics and technical features of the processes must be optimised subject to all the relevant environmental regulations while outputting products of the highest quality. In the mining industry, this new framework has generated interest for Advanced Process Control technology. Currently within the mining industry, several applications have been implemented. Codelco has some customised implementations of special applications which can be found in some of Codelco's Divisions. In the light of all the above, and because of the significant benefits that the technology can generate across the corporation, the Automation Projects Department (DPA) within its activities has decided to support and promote the implementation of advanced process control. This paper describes the development and implementation of an advanced control application on the Flash Furnace at Codelco Norte concentrate smelter complex. The results obtained with this advanced control application are very interesting, mainly for the control of magnetite in slag, and copper percentage in the matte. Results obtained show that the performance of process applying the technology provides superior results when compared with normal operator control for the variables that it controls.