Model order reduction using neural network principal component analysis and generalized dimensional analysis

Abstract

PurposeThis paper seeks to present a novel computational intelligence technique to generate concise neural network models for distributed dynamic systems.Design/methodology/approachThe approach used in this paper is based on artificial neural network architectures that incorporate linear and nonlinear principal component analysis, combined with generalized dimensional analysis.FindingsNeural network principal component analysis coupled with generalized dimensional analysis reduces input variable space by about 90 percent in the modeling of oil reservoirs. Once trained, the computation time is negligible and orders of magnitude faster than any traditional discretisation schemes such as fine‐mesh finite difference.Practical implicationsFinding the minimum number of input independent variables needed to characterize a system helps in extracting general rules about its behavior, and allows for quick setting of design guidelines, and particularly when evaluating changes in the physical properties of systems.Originality/valueThe methodology can be used to simulate dynamical systems characterized by differential equations, in an interactive CAD and optimization providing faster on‐line solutions and speeding up design guidelines.