October 21st, 2008 – MIPAC launched CellView, a new wireless solution to automate cell condition monitoring in tankhouse operations. CellView is a critical foundation for an effective tankhouse management system and enables customers to achieve optimum production, quality, safety and environmental standards. It combines the latest advances in wireless technology with an extremely robust design to increase the efficiency and profitability of electro-refining and winning operations. CellView has been developed and tested with the assistance of Xstrata’s Townsville Copper Refinery and Xstrata Technology, and has undergone operational testing at the Townsville Refinery.
The first order has been received, through Xstrata Technology, for a major Greenfield copper plant project with Kazzinc in Kazakhstan. CellView is also being trialed with one of Europe’s largest copper producers and processers. The CellView system consists of Wireless Cell Monitors communicating via a robust, state-of-the-art Mesh Network to a central Operator Interface. It makes use of long life sensors and an extremely robust upper level communication system which uses the mesh networking devices to provide continuous online monitoring.
CellViewBenefits:
Provides continuous, real time monitoring of cell performance; Enables increased production through early detection of process problems; Reduces maintenance and implementation costs, particularly compared to hard-wired systems; Is at least 25% smaller than alternatives and therefore uses much less of the precious real estate in a tankhouse. “MIPAC developed CellView in response to a need in the marketplace for tools that enable a more efficient, safe and profitable refinery operation. CellView allows operators to produce more cathode at a higher, more consistent quality without having to increase inputs.” said Tony Mathison, Product Manager, MIPAC.
About MIPAC:
MIPAC is a respected provider of process control, instrumentation and electrical engineering solutions. MIPAC is committed to working with our customers to help them achieve operational excellence. MIPAC specialises in industries that require continuous process control such as minerals and metal processing. We serve renowned companies such as Xstrata, BHP Billiton, Aditya Birla and Zinifex in more than a dozen countries. MIPAC is headquartered in Brisbane, Australia and employs some of the industry’s most talented process control professionals.
About Kazzinc:
Kazzinc is a major fully integrated Zinc producer with considerable Copper, precious metals and Lead credits. The company's operations are in Kazakhstan and it employs some 22 000 people in mining, ore dressing, metallurgy, power generation and mechanical production. The Ust-Kamenogorsk metallurgical complex consists of a 180 000 tpa Zinc refinery, a 140 000 tpa Lead smelter and a precious metals refinery.
About Xstrata Technology:
Xstrata Technology develops, markets and supports technologies for the global mineral processing and metals smelting and refining industries. These technologies include ISASMELT and ISACONVERT, IsaMill grinding mills, Tankhouse Technology made up of ISA PROCESS and Kidd Process copper refining and winning technology, the Jameson Cell flotation machine, and Albion Process leaching technology.