Leading Scientific-research Institute of Chemical Technology, Moscow, Russia

S. A. Lavrikov, Leading Researcher, e-mail: selavr@rambler.ru
M. L. Kotsar, Head of Laboratory

“Chepetsk Mechanical Plant” JSC, Glazov, Russia

S. G. Akhtonov, Head of a Shop
A. A. Chernyshev, Head of a Group
N. V. Kopysov, Leading Engineer

On the basis of SKB-5025 (СКБ-5025) furnace and Ts-40M (Ц-40М) apparatus, Chepetsk Mechanical Plant developed and set in exploitation the experimental bench, which is intended for the development of methods for optimal management of the process of iodide zirconium refining and investigation of the possibility of carrying out the works in automatic mode. The hardware complex and software of automated experimental bench are based on the CompactRIO equipment, produced by USA company “National Instruments” and its graphical software LabView. The developed software of the bench has the following basic functions:
— automatic control, which is carried out by energizing of zirconium filament within the specified volt-ampere characteristics of the process;
— automatic control of the positions of flue dampers in the air cooling system of Ts-40M apparatus in SKB-5025 furnace;
— smooth reset and voltage supply upon the changing of transformer step;
— reaction of system on the short current steps on filaments upon touching the apparatuse`s body wells by zirconium rods;
— development of algorithms for searching the optimal temperature rate in the system of air cooling of apparatus;
— automation of the process regulation, which allows to carry out the process without the participation of personnel, according to the ready-made program.
At the stage of final product release, as a result of automated control over the process on the bench, the output of iodide zirconium exceeded the average output of the shop section approximately by 10%. Besides, the level of energy consumption was reduced, and smoothness of energy cut-off and supply in transformer phase shift was achieved. For the first time, the processes in Ts-40M apparatuses and SKB-5025 furnace were performed in a fully automatic mode.

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