Automation of waste sorting and recycling process control systems

Our team offers development and implementation of the automated process control systems comprising two levels: the upper and the lower level. Communication between the devices is based on the industrial network.

Exemplary architecture of an automated process control system:

The lower (field) level includes:

• digital and analog sensors collecting the information on the operation of the equipment and the process parameters;
• process actuation mechanisms (receive the control signals from the frequency converters, soft starters or starters);
• assemblies (separators, trommel screens, packaging shredders, etc.);
• graphic operator panels (human-machine interfaces) connected to the industrial controllers;
• programmable logic controllers for data processing and control;
• means of communication.

The upper level includes:

• central server hardware for collection and storage of the technological process data;
• the control system is based on SCADA/HMI with an automated workstation user interface connected to the server equipment;
• personal computer (engineering station) for programming the controllers and introducing changes into the automation system software projects;
• laser printers for printing the equipment work schedules.

Automated process control system ensures smooth operation of waste sorting and recycling line/complex by management and control of following process operations and parameters:

• start, stop and control of the municipal solid waste sorting line and other plant components such as conveyor belts, optical scanners, etc. in accordance with operator’s requirement;
• notification of the start of municipal solid waste sorting line (both for manual and automatic control) or an optico-acoustic signal in the case of emergency;
• conveyors are equipped with belt drift sensors, belt break sensors, cable switches that switch off the line till given conveyor (quick stop) and equipment located in the emergency shutdown area.

The technological process data is taken to automated workstations in the operator’s room, where the displays show all the current process states, the entire process line can be automatically or manually started and stopped (start and stop of each assembly unit of the flowsheet), the data on the system performance within 1 year is collected and stored. The visualization system of the automated control system is based on the process flowsheet provided in the project.

The automatic control system ensures continuous collection, processing and archiving of the incoming information on equipment operation and system technological parameters values (in working and emergency equipment operation modes, including in case of power failure) at the operator’s personal computer and a dedicated technological server of enterprise and representation of the operational and archival information in the form of mimic diagrams, charts and text documents with and signal formation time recording and the possibility of archive data transmission to the printer.