Intelligence-based pressure switching control for clinker cooling process with grate cooler

In cement clinker cooling process, it is very difficult to guarantee the chamber pressure of grate cooler be controlled within its targeted range and secondary air temperature be greater than the minimum value. To solve this problem, this paper proposes an intelligence-based pressure switching control strategy that consists of a coordinative controller, a proportional-integral (PI) controller, and a switching mechanism based on rule reasoning. This control strategy can automatically adjust grate bed frequency for clinker cooling process in response to the changes in raw meal flow, thereby eliminating the red river or blown through phenomenon. Practical applications have shown the validity and effectiveness of the proposed approach.