Intelligent operation support system for batch chemical pulping process

Abstract

This paper describes the construction of an Intelligent Operation Support System (IOSS) for a batch chemical pulping process. Such a system contains a qualitative reasoning system and a quantitative computing system, and is used to help human operators to produce good-quality pulp. IOSS has many advanced features, such as its commonsense reasoning system to prevent the system from processing impossible physical data; variable rules to organize the knowledge base to reduce both memory space and running time; an integrated distributed intelligent system framework to couple both quantitative reasoning and quantitative computation; and a user-friendly computing environment. IOSS can provide the estimated “cooking time” and kappa numbers, as well as other valuable information. Its use has greatly increased the interaction between human operators and the controlled process, and thus provides more information interpretation for process operation. IOSS can also be used to train new engineers and operators. This methodology paves the way to upgrade and improve the old industrial manufacturing environment using the newest developments of advanced technology.