On Model Assisted Measurements and Applications

Abstract

With digitalisation comes the ability to obtain real time data such as e.g. pressure and temperature from processes and equipment continuously. The true value of these measurements does however not appear before combining the data with models and theoretical understanding. In this paper the combination of simulations, theoretical knowledge and measurements is explored and used to design online systems for monitoring off-gas flow through aluminium electrolysis pots and Gas Treatment Centre (GTC) lines. By developing CFD models and using the results from these, suitable positions for measuring differential pressure (Δp) can be found. Later the models, together with known physical principles, are used to establish correlations between measured Δp, temperatures, and flows. These relationships are then used to monitor the flow rates online and in real time, also providing information on the fluctuations in the systems and giving warnings if there are large deviations/changes due to e.g., equipment failure.