Generating operating command sequences for the regulation of complex chemical processes using artificial intelligence techniques

Complex processing plants are operated (and for that matter designed) by individuals who cannot always envisage in sufficient detail the longer-range consequences of their current actions. This is particularly the case where interactions can occur between sequential operating modes of a plant. Given that the desired outcome is the achievement of the overall process goals safely and efficiently, it is worthwhile considering the factors which can mitigate against the achievement of these aims and how they can be avoided. This study describes methods which can be used to help develop safer and more efficient plant operation by the use of the computer to devise operating command sequences which achieve consecutive sets of process goals subject to a variety of constraints (e.g. the avoidance of unsafe states). The operating command sequences are required to be generated in the form of a sequence of valve operations. A catalyst-regeneration plant example originally devised by Rivas and Rudd (1974) is presented