Mine Flow Planning and Dispatch for Time-Varying Production Targets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mining systems fail to efficiently achieve defined production targets and cost-related goals due to reliance on instantaneous material flow optimization, lacking advanced flow planning and adaptive dispatch strategies that account for variable factors over time, leading to suboptimal adjustments and manual intervention.
Innovation Solution
A mining system incorporating a flow planner and dispatcher that utilize operating parameters, global mine data, and sensor data to autonomously determine and adjust planned flow rates and dispatch assignments, aligning with time-varying production targets and cost goals, and incorporating historical, current, and future operational data to anticipate and adapt to changing conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If instantaneous material flow optimization is used, then equipment response time is improved, but production target achievement deteriorates due to lack of advanced flow planning
Solution Approach 1:
The flow planner module performs preliminary flow planning by determining planned flow rates in advance based on operating parameters and global mine data before dispatch decisions are made. This allows the system to proactively optimize material flow rather than reactively responding to instantaneous conditions, thereby achieving both quick response and production targets.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the optimization process into two distinct modules: a flow planner module that handles strategic flow rate determination, and a dispatcher module that handles tactical dispatch decisions. This segmentation allows each module to specialize in its function, with the flow planner focusing on achieving production targets and the dispatcher focusing on rapid equipment response.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual intervention and operator oversight are used, then flexibility in asset assignment is improved, but operational efficiency deteriorates due to suboptimal adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service through automated flow planning and dispatch optimization. The flow planner module autonomously determines planned flow rates by optimizing objective functions based on operating parameters, and the dispatcher module autonomously generates dispatch assignments. This eliminates the need for manual operator intervention while maintaining flexibility and achieving optimal operational efficiency through algorithmic decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the flow planner continuously receives updated global mine data and sensor data, then adjusts planned flow rates accordingly. The dispatcher similarly receives real-time data and adjusts dispatch assignments. This closed-loop feedback enables the system to maintain flexibility and adaptability without manual intervention, as the automated systems continuously optimize based on current conditions.
3Stability of the object's composition
If constant flow rates are maintained, then equipment operation stability is improved, but adaptability to changing conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic flow rate planning where the flow planner module determines time-varying planned flow rates that adapt to changing conditions. The system transitions from static constant flow rates to dynamic flow rates that are continuously adjusted based on updated global mine data, sensor data, and changing operational requirements, thereby achieving both stability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of flow rate from a constant value to a time-varying parameter. The flow planner optimizes objective functions that produce planned flow rates varying over time, allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions while maintaining operational stability through controlled parameter transitions.
4Productivity
If advanced flow planning with time-varying rates is implemented, then production target achievement is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system reduces complexity through segmentation by dividing the complex optimization problem into two manageable modules: flow planning (determining planned flow rates) and dispatch (generating dispatch assignments). Each module handles a specific aspect of the optimization, making the overall system more manageable and implementable while still achieving production targets through time-varying flow rates.
Data Source
AI summary
A mining system for directing mine operations including a flow planner and a dispatcher. The flow planner receives operating parameters and global mine data and calculates a flow plan based on the operating parameters and the global parameters. The dispatcher then determines dispatch assignments based on the flow plan from the flow planner, and effects a dispatch of mining equipment based on the dispatch assignments.