Commissioning cement plants with on-line support from supplier's home office

Among the many tasks performed during the commissioning phase of any project is the gathering of mechanical and process operating data. This is an ongoing task from first operation and continuing well after. This type of data gathering is a time consuming task. It often reduces the amount of time available and takes the commissioning engineer's attention away from other duties during critical phases of the startup, which in turn extend the duration of a service stay. The development of digital and automated control systems along with advances in computer technology have contributed greatly to proces monitoring and data gathering. One of the most beneficial developments is that of online software programs that allow construction of an actual operating database to be stored automatically through the computer. Here, the authors describe the remote commissioning of cement plants using online software support.