Modern Process Monitoring and Optimization Methods Integrating a Process Simulator into a Distributed Control System

Abstract

On the one hand, process simulation has become an inherent part of design, engineering and operation of chemical production plants. On the other hand, process industry is moving to highly automated plants, with a distributed control system (DCS) at the core of these facilities. Considering both trends the integration of a process model into a DCS is the consecutive next step, which enables the online use of process models during plant operation. The details of technical integration as well as specific use cases such as soft-sensors and real-time optimization will be presented in this contribution. As introduction, a brief review of applications of simulation along the life-cycle of a process plant is given, leading to a vision for a digital twin concept.