Expert system for catalytic titrimetry—Part 1. Determination of organic acids

Abstract

An expert system (ES) to solve the problem of choosing a catalytic titrimetric procedure for the determination of organic acids was developed. In constructing the ES use was made of the deterministic approach starting from the assumption that the experts in the field have a profound knowledge about the problem in question. The ES database contains solutions that have been published in the pertinent literature. On the basis of this information and the expert knowledge the ES proposes a procedure for solving the given analytical problem, starting from sampling, preparation of the necessary solutions, apparatus, probe preparation, mode of determining the titration end-point, calculation of the results, and provides a survey of all the relevant literature references. For those problems which have not been solved yet by catalytic titrations, the ES suggests the method to be used in their solving. In developing the ES and adapting it for use by users who are not familiar with computer techniques, a PC shell made in LISP, as well as HG, DB and CW software tools were used. The ES was constructed bearing in mind that its application should be maximally simplified.