ABB introduced a package of services, Process Improvement Services (PRISE) that identifies performance gaps in open-pit mining processes and provides solutions to reduce process variations that will help lower operating costs, increase product quality, prevent waste and protect valuable equipment.

PRISE recognizes the increasing pressures facing human operators who monitor multiple complex processes and predict and control their behavior based on an overwhelming amount of data. The packaged offering removes the problem of operator overload by providing essential information while steering all processes in an optimal way. This new service is a good example of ABB’s Next Level strategy leveraging the Internet of Things (IoT), services and people.

By first analyzing existing processes, ABB experts will determine current levels of performance and deliver a report with an estimate of potential improvements. Because it’s critical to know what properties influence process performance, PRISE will also identify missing instrumentation and then provide detailed measurement procedures to ensure that they are measuring the right things.

Since only well-performing PID-loops will be able to execute an optimal control strategy, PRISE utilizes tools and procedures developed by ABB to scan and tune critical loops, setting the foundation for increased overall performance.

The final cornerstone of the service is advanced process control to first stabilize processes, then drive them to their performance limits in a consistent and permanent way.

“Reducing variability, while pushing the process to its limits, is not something a human being can accomplish in the same way PRISE can,” said Dominik Groenveld, global product manager for PRISE. “PRISE eliminates shift-to-shift variations by permanently and smoothly controlling plant processes at optimal levels — at all times and in all situations.” PRISE can be applied to a variety of mining processes, including crushing, grinding, flotation, thickening, dewatering, leaching or stockpile management.

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