Dr Jonathon Ralston - CSIRO

Longwall AutomationFrom Here to There

CSIRO ENERGY | COAL MINING RESEARCH PROGRAM

Jonathon Ralston

Longwall Conference | Hunter Valley | 24-25 October 2016

Thinking in Systems…

System Behaviour> vision, culture, process, organisation

System Structure> architecture, technology, interactions

“System structure is the source of system behaviour. And structure is the key to understanding not just what is happening, but why...”

Donella Meadows

Intro | Current Reality | Opportunities | Challenges | Going Forward

Quick Science LessonThe scientific method…

Measure> Understanding the process

Control> Directing the process

Predict> Anticipating the process


ACT

Mining Process

THINK

SENSESENSE

THINK

ACT

Automation System Structure

Remote Operation

Manually Operated


Longwall AutomationWhere is here?


Longwall AutomationLASC Technology – available today

Drum height

Eickhoff

Drum height

DBT

Thermal Infrared

Optical marker band

Manual operator

input

Gateroad creep & retreat

Drum height

Visualisation

Face Alignment Horizon Control

SPMS (inertial navigation)

Other sensors

Joy DBT Eickhoff

Joy

Landmark Process Control – Cut Model

DBT

Joy

available now in development

wire

less

wireless


Source: CSIRO

LASC Automation: Impact and Value

1. Productivity: Total estimated net benefit: ~$790M*

2. Adoption: 70% of operating longwalls in Australia

3. Deployment: Global accessibility through OEMs

4. Platform: LASC open standard = extendable

5. Development: ROI enabling ongoing innovation

* ACIL Allen Consulting, 2014. “CSIRO’s Impact and Value: An Independent Assessment “http://www.lascautomation.com


Opportunities - TechnologiesHelping us move from here to there


Emerging Technologies Aiding AutomationMeasurement: Distributed sensing capabilities (IoT)

Information: Data analytics, simulation

Autonomous systems: Platooning, driverless vehicles

Centralised Operations: Collaboration, virtual reality


New Technology | The Hype Cycle


Image Source: www.gartner.com

Situational AwarenessSensing resource, people, equipment, process, environment


Source: CSIRO

Decision Support Modelling and Simulation


Image Source: CSIRO

Decision Support Environmental characterisation


Source: CSIRO

Trusted AutonomyAdvancing sensing and systems, processes, policy…


Source: www.google.com/selfdrivingcar

Trusted AutonomyAdvancing sensing and systems, processes: Mapping


Source: CSIRO


Sensorama 1960

Time Magazine 1960

Telesphere Mask 1969Viewmaster 1939

Remote OperationsVirtual Reality - Looking back


Oculus Rift 2011 DK2 2014 (100K)FB buys for $2B

Remote Operations Virtual Reality: current now and next

ChallengesGoing from here to there…


• Greater sensing needed to enable remote management

• High integrity automation needed for robust operations

• Increased visibility and integration needed across the value chain to realise operational and asset benefits

Ongoing Needs for MiningPerformance, Safety, Efficiency


Technology Creation-to-Adoption Timeframe: Decreasing


Source: WIPO 2010

Presentation title | Presenter name | Page 21

Technology Innovation: Distribution

Source: WIPO 2010

Technology Development: Asia Trending Up

Source: WIPO 2009


http://www2.deloitte.com/.../digital-disruption-harnessing-the-bang.html (2012)


http://www2.deloitte.com/.../digital-disruption-harnessing-the-bang.html

Staging DevelopmentsGetting there


The Future: Robotic Miners?


Source: www.darpa.mil

Steps to AutomationIt’s a journey

Existing Operation

Remote Operation

Remote Supervision

Full Automation


R&D Perspective: You Need a ChampionNeed “champions” who:• Understand the value proposition• Are supportive of the research• Committed for the long haul• Benefit from the collaboration

Effective partnerships accelerate everything

Source: CSIRO


SummaryEmerging Trends• Holistic behaviour: Aware, integrated, trusted

• New capabilities: Sensing, process, control

Encourage a systems-level perspective• Successes tend to come at the systems-level

• Vision = driver, business case = rationale, technology = enabler

“New technology is changing the structure of the mining industry”*

* “US Dept of Labour – Trends in Major American Industries”, Bulletin 4, p23 Feb 1966

For more information please contactDr Jonathon Ralston

e [email protected] www.csiro.au

CSIRO Energy

Special Acknowledgements

Business

Dr Jonathon Ralston - CSIRO