Processstyrning och Utsläpp. En pilotstudie av människa-maskin interaktioner i svenska avfallsförbränningsanläggningar.

Olsson G, Brehmer B

Olsson G, Brehmer B (1991) Processstyrning och Utsläpp. En pilotstudie av människa-maskin interaktioner i svenska avfallsförbränningsanläggningar. With English Summary. Report no. 7/91 from Uppsala University Center for Human-Computer Studies, Uppsala, Sweden.

Abstract

This pilot study is a feasibility study on human-computer interaction in waste incineration plants in Sweden. The background of the project is that new governmental requirements are proposed on exhaustion from these plants related to air pollution, where an important question is whether a more strict dynamic control of the combustion process can decrease exhaustions of toxic pollutions or even provide certain toxins from being generated in the processes. If so, the control systems, the human-machine interfaces, and the training of the operators must fit into ergonomic principles of information perception and processing and decision making. To study if further research in human-process interaction and socio-technology is needed in waste incineration plants a survey has been made in five plants with differences in production scales, incineration technology and control systems. A main result is that the exhaustions are mainly determined by a controlled composition of the fuel and the design of furnaces and exhaustion treatment plants. Control of the incineration processes is mostly limited to a control of the furnace temperature, and in most plants no on-line measurements are made on toxic components of the exhaustions. Still, some improvements could be done on computerized control systems in terms of operator interface design. Implementation of these systems also calls for more advanced training programmes for process operators and a higher degree of operator involvement in system design activities.