Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
2.2
Optimization in Process Design
Current work practices in forest industry process engineering are almost solely based
on engineering experience. Simulation and optimization is used in the design of unit
processes, but less in the design of the process as whole. Plant wide simulation
enables the validation of process structure and control concepts even before selecting
suppliers and therefore it reduces risks [11] and gives a deeper understanding of the
process [12]. According to the interviews, plant wide simulation is more useful when
building a plant with totally new concepts when the “rules of thumb” are not availa-
ble.
For combining the optimization of plant structure and plant control, there are sev-
eral options. Optimization strategy can be sequential, iterative, bi-level or simultane-
ous. [13].
Bi-level optimization has been under an active research lately [14]. Still only a few
research is dealing with multi-objective bilevel problems. Eichfelder [15] presents an
algorithm for solving bilevel multi-objective problems. The combination of dynamic
simulator model and dynamic optimization has been researched for papermaking
process [16].
2.3
Information Systems for Process Design
The variety of the Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) tools supporting process sys-
tems engineering (PSE) is enormous. One of the interviewed engineering enterprises
is using over 50 different engineering tools. A trend, as seen in modern integrated
process engineering tools, is the transformation from document-centric design to data-
centric design, realized with database technology [17-19].
Major tool vendors have developed, acquired and integrated engineering tools from
other engineering disciplines under unified product families. Modern process engineer-
ing support systems combine modeling and information management features for
engineering of many aspects of plant engineering, e.g. process, piping, electrical and
instrumentation, 3D layout, equipment lists, part data sheets, etc, thus comprising an
integrated plant information model. This also enables advanced change management,
where modification of an object through one view notifies users of other views, look-
ing at the same object. Multi site work flow management is featured for both engineer-
ing and commissioning. Integration to external CAE tools is possible through export
and import interfaces using standard or proprietary data formats. An important prere-
quisite for cost efficient integrated engineering is the use of common data models
defined in the standards. ISO 15926,”lifecycle data for process plant” is a standard
dedicated to the process industry, widely accepted by tool vendors [20]. It has a central
role in pursuing information interoperability between engineering systems and it is
used in many plant information exchange tool initiatives, such as iRing [21] and
XMpLant and even as a native data model of a plant modeling tool [19].
Plant information models and semantic technologies have induced much academic
research. For example, POSC Caesar association [22] assembles R&D around the ISO
15926 and modeling methods, such as [23]. However, Wiesner, Morbach and Mar-
quardt. [24] questions whether a single global plant information standard is a realistic
goal in the first place and suggest a semantic integration framework OntoCAPE.
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