FLOSEL: Expert selection of flowmeters

Abstract

The development of an expert system as a decision support tool for the instrument design engineer engaged in the specification of process instrumentation is considered. The paper describes how a system was built for decision support in the selection of flowmeters. The model, of particular use in front-end specification, uses fundamental knowledge given by the Lomas method for flowmeter selection and further detailed knowledge from many sources including standards, company procedures and domain expert opinion. Two methods of implementation are examined and the paper discusses how this front-end module may be incorporated in a larger system.