Categories : All, Case Study, Web & Desktop Application

Web Portal for Monitoring and Controlling Pot Operations

Client Requirement

Client uses DCCU technology to manage operation of pots. The DCCU technology has a web-based interface, which is the main interface for monitoring and controlling pot operations. The historical data recordings as well as the operational reports are in iRPMS, an Oracle developed system.

The system is the main monitoring tool for the pots in Potlines. Pot trace and data entry graphs show the pot condition at present and help the supervisor plan for future activities. It is, therefore, very important that the data is presented in an effective and user-friendly manner.

DUBAL requires improving and adding additional functionalities to the graphical data presentation of the system and to improve the trace and data entry graphs.

The main objectives of this project are:

• To arrange graphs on one page minimizing the need of switching between the pages in order to obtain the information and club together related information
• To use the latest technology in various graph tools such as multiple Y-axes, data value on mouse-hover etc.

The system provides the following functionalities:

• Enables the user to derive all the current information for a pot or a group of pots in the line.
• Provides a minute-based trace for a pot for the last 72 hours in a graphical and report format.
• Parameter changes can be done for a single pot, multiple pots, a section of pots or the complete Potline.
• It has option to show the shift summary for a pot or a group of pots for last N shifts.
• It is based on reading and writing data in flat binary files maintained by pot line programs, which transfer data to and from pot controller (DCCU).
• Shows an overall view of all the pots in the Potline in a graphical display.
• Displays the status and the statistics of the entire Potline.
• Allows parameters to be set for a pot or a group of pots or across the line, especially to take care of emergency situations such as power outages.
• Historical data (on alarms and events) is stored in the system with the facility to query data on the current and previous ‘N-1’ shifts.
• Provides a shift summary for the pot or group of pots for the last ‘N’ shifts.
• Query the pots based on status or statistics (current + 9 shifts).
• View trends
• Reports can be viewed and printed

Technologies Used

Manpower

Planning

The following three-tier development approach was adopted to equip the site with numerous features and functionality mentioned before:

• The Database layer containing Oracle Server Database, Tables, triggers and so on
• The User Interface Layer which forms the Graphical User Interface of the website
• The J2EE Layer for communication between server and Database

Development Highlights

• The system is a web and GUI-based program with point and click interface for ease of use. It gives a bird’s eye view of the potline (i.e. graphical representation of various conditions of the pots in the potline).
• Time frame for the displayed data on the graph should be 32 hours by default, starting at the last point of time as done currently. The new graph should be capable of moving back and forth in time using mouse/arrows. The design should cater for going back in 32 hours steps by one click.
• It provides the following functionalities:
• Combination of Trace, Events and Data Entry graphs in one screen along with Info and Alarm Events.
• The graphical package has the capability to zoom on a specific time period selected.
• Display the Trace to be plotted and above Events and Data Entry.
• It has two Y axes only by default left will be Smooth Resistance and right will be Noise.
• Graph has vertical line with Date/Time representing Date/Time and Value for each parameters.
• Below the chart we have 4 buttons: Show/Hide All, Show/Hide Trace, Show/Hide Events and Show/Hide Data Entry for individual grouping of parameters.
• Charts have Legends showing all the parameters and showing dynamic value on moving vertical line.
• The user should be able to select or deselect Axes also by clicking on the parameter’s name in legend.
• There is an Alarm and Events tab with Legends, which will show all Alarm Events info for selected period.
• Right side shows an information block for last 10 values measured.
• By clicking on a parameter, there is a possibility to make changes (BRSP, TRSP and BFT).

System Architecture

Application Architecture

The App server handles all the requests from the HTML and Flex UI and also performs some data load task.

Detailed Design