Computer-aided synthesis of complex pump and valve operations

Abstract

Process plant operators often have to synthesize sequences of valve and pump operations. On large plants there may be so many possible pipe routes and vessels that it is not practical to provide a priori computer support for every possible operation. The paper describes a program that could form the basis of an operator aid to synthesize appropriate operations from a knowledge of the plant layout and existing pumping operations. The paper concentrates on finding paths through the pipework and on generating a sequence of operations that establishes the path whilst simultaneously satisfying other safety and operating constraints. The paper includes two example problems which were used to develop the program. The first is a blending system with 8 tanks and 4 pumps. The second is based on an EDTA plant containing 5 storage tanks, 3 mixing vessels, a reactor and 10 pumps. The program uses AI techniques (such as pattern-matching, search and symbolic manipulation) because these are appropriate to this problem.