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Cross-industry solution

Process Advisory Systems

Strix APC — an advisor on top of your process control system: soft sensors between lab samples, MPC loops, computer vision as a sensor. Less quality variation, fewer reagents and less fuel — the human stays in the loop.

Strongest combination
Soft sensors + MPC + CV + advisor

This mix delivers the most on the industry's key process stages. Details in the cards below.

Key equipment
FlotationGrindingFurnaces and combustionDistillationHydroprocessingGranulation and drying
Vibration diagnostics
Passer-V + FFT/envelope on Larus
Current diagnostics
Passer-T + motor current signature analysis (MCSA)
APC optimisation
Strix platform + soft sensors + predictive control loops
Computer vision
Cameras + Strix CV apps on Larus-1000
By process stage

Where Liman-Tech applies — stage by stage

For each stage: the equipment worth monitoring and what each method delivers. No fluff.

1

Flotation

Equipment
Flotation cells, reagent dosing, machine-vision cameras on the froth
APC Air and reagent flow, cell levels — toward target recovery at stable quality
CV Froth parameters from video (CV froth analysis) — bubble size, velocity, color as a continuous sensor
Effect: +2–3 pp recovery, −10–15% reagent use, −30% quality variation
2

Grinding

Equipment
SAG and ball mills, hydrocyclones, slurry pumps
APC Ore and water feed, slurry density, cyclone regime — maximum throughput at target particle size
Effect: +3–5% throughput, stable particle size, lower specific energy
3

Furnace combustion

Equipment
Rotary kilns, coolers, burners, reheat furnaces
APC Fuel/air ratio, temperature profile, draught — steady kiln firing at minimum fuel
CV Flame and lining condition from video — early combustion deviations
Effect: −6–15% specific fuel use, +5–7% kiln throughput
4

Distillation and hydroprocessing

Equipment
Columns, unit furnaces, reactors, heat exchange
APC Soft sensors for quality between lab samples, constraint-based MPC — more on-spec fractions
Effect: +1–3% yield of target products, −1–4% specific energy
Strongest combinations

Where combined methods multiply the effect

Open loop (advisor)
Soft sensors + recommendations
The system advises setpoints, the operator applies them. Start without touching the process control system — trust is built on facts.
Closed loop
MPC on top of DCS/PLC
Once the effect is confirmed — constraint-based control. Watchdog: if the link drops, the process hands back to the operators.
Vision as a sensor
CV on a Larus with GPU
Flotation froth, flame, granules — a continuous 'lab' measurement where no sensor exists.
Lab every 2 hours
Soft sensors
The model estimates quality every few seconds — the process doesn't 'fly blind' between samples.
What we offer

Three rollout levels — pick by maturity

Level 1

Survey and model

Audit of process-control data, baseline, effect potential

Stack
Historical data + soft sensors on Strix APC
Level 2

Advisor (open loop)

Real-time recommendations for the operator

Stack
Strix APC + CV sensors on Larus — no intervention in the DCS/PLC
Level 3

Control (closed loop)

MPC loops as trust grows

Stack
Strix APC on top of your existing process control system + model support

Your process control system stays in place. Strix APC does not replace the DCS or PLC — it works on top: it reads the data, builds soft sensors, and either advises the operator or — when you’re ready — manages setpoints within hard constraints. The path is always staged: open loop → closed loop, as trust and the confirmed effect grow.

Results in numbers

  • +2–3 pp flotation recovery; −10–15% reagents
  • +3–5% grinding throughput
  • −6–15% fuel in kiln firing; +1–3% yield of target fractions on process units
  • 3–9 months — a typical payback for APC loops

Global APC industry benchmarks; the actual effect follows from a survey at your site.

Where the expertise comes from

We test our methods on real data, not just on desk models: APC algorithms and time-series analytics are developed in an R&D partnership with ITMO University (Fedot.Industrial), HSE University and Polytech (our own lab). The human stays in the loop — Strix advises, your process engineer decides.

We know the process stages from the inside: the process control system for the main flotation building and the drying-and-filtration department at the PhosAgro/Apatit ANOF-3 beneficiation plant was our 2016 project.

Where it applies: mining (flotation, grinding) · cement and glass (kiln firing, milling) · oil and gas (refining units) · chemistry (synthesis, granulation).

How to buy

Three commercial models

From outright purchase to a service model where you pay out of verified savings.

CAPEX — purchase

You own the hardware and software — the full effect is yours. Transparent and familiar; for critical infrastructure it is the only option.

MaaS — subscription

Monitoring-as-a-Service: 36 months, a monthly base fee plus a share of the verified effect. The performance risk is ours — no effect, nothing beyond the base.

ESCO — energy performance contract

Energy-saving measures with no capital outlay on your side: we invest, repayment comes out of verified savings.

One minute

Find out what an advisor would add on your process

Flotation, grinding, kiln firing, distillation — tick what hurts and a manager comes back with specifics: which loop goes first and what the effect potential is.

  • We match the method mix to your equipment
  • We size the pilot and give you ballpark figures
  • We reply within one business day
1. What hurts right now (pick any)
2. Scale