US 5,521,814 AGranted

Process optimization and control system that plots inter-relationships between variables to meet an objective

AssigneeBetz Laboratories, Inc.

InventorsConrad K. Teran, Delbert Grotewold

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A process control system uses a performance model, in conjunction with an economic model, to meet either performance or economic objectives. The system operates either automatically, on-line, in "real time" or manually off-line, in "real time" to optimize the process to meet a selected objective. The performance model uses neural networks to determine the interrelationships of each of a set of independent variables (controllable inputs to the process) to each other and their relationship to a set of dependent variables (outputs of the process). The performance model is used to optimize the process to meet performance objectives. The economic model is used in conjunction with the performance model to meet economic objectives.

Claims46

Dependent claims

A system for optimizing and controlling a process comprising:

(a) means for obtaining and receiving data, on-line and in real-time, representing the levels of a plurality of independent input variables of said process and the levels of at least one dependent output variable of said process;
(b) means for storing said data;
(c) means for determining the interrelationships among said plurality of independent input variables and the relationships between said plurality of independent variables and said at least one dependent output variable;
(d) means for generating a plot of said level of a selected one of said at least one dependent output variables at incremental levels of a selected one of said plurality of input variables over a pre-selected range of levels of said selected one of said plurality of said independent input variables;
(e) means for providing data representing at least one objective for said system relating to said at least one dependent output variable;
(f) means for obtaining a calculated level of a selected one of said plurality of independent input variables to meet said objective by determining the maximum or minimum level of said plot;
(g) means for moving said selected one of said plurality of independent variables to said calculated level;
and
(h) means for obtaining a calculated level for each of said plurality of independent variables in turn and for iteratively moving each of said plurality of independent variables to said respective calculated level.

6 more elements

A system for optimizing and controlling a process comprising:

(a) means for obtaining and receiving data, on-line and in real-time, representing the levels of a plurality of independent input variables of said process and the level of at least one dependent output variable of said process;
(b) means for storing said data;
(c) means for determining the interrelationships among said plurality of independent input variables and the relationships between said plurality of independent input variables and said at least one dependent output variable;
(d) means for generating a plot of said level of a selected one of said at least one dependent output variables at incremental levels of a selected one of said plurality of input variables over a pre-selected range of levels of said selected one of said plurality of said independent input variables;
(e) means for providing data representing at least one economic objective relating to an economic criteria to said system;
(f) means for generating a plot of the values of said economic criteria over said pre-selected range of levels of said selected one of said plurality of independent input variables;
(g) means for obtaining a calculated level of said selected one of said plurality of independent input variables to meet said economic objective by determining the maximum or minimum level of said plot;
(h) means for moving said selected one of said plurality of independent variables to said calculated level;
and
(i) means for obtaining a calculated level for each of said plurality of independent variables in turn and for iteratively moving each of said plurality of independent variables to said respective calculated level.

7 more elements

A system for controlling a petroleum reaction process for producing gasoline, said process comprising:

(a) means for obtaining and receiving data, on-line and in real-time, representing the levels of a plurality of independent input variables of said process and the level of at least one dependent output variable of said process;
(b) means for storing said data;
(c) means for determining the interrelationships among said plurality of independent input variables and the relationships between said plurality of independent input variables and said at least one dependent output variable;
(d) means for generating a plot of said level of a selected one of said at least one dependent output variables at incremental levels of a selected one of said plurality of input variables over a pre-selected range of levels of said selected one of said plurality of said independent input variables;
(e) means for providing data representing at least one economic objective relating to an economic criteria to said system;
(f) means for generating a plot of the values of said economic criteria over said pre-selected range of levels of said selected one of said plurality of independent input variables;
(g) means for obtaining a calculated level of said selected one of said plurality of independent input variables to meet said economic objective by determining the maximum or minimum level of said plot;
(h) means for moving said selected one of said plurality of independent variables to said calculated level;
and
(i) means for obtaining a calculated level for each of said plurality of independent variables in turn and for iteratively moving each of said plurality of independent variables to said respective calculated level.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/324,863Filed 18 Oct 1994 · continuation
Priority: 29 Apr 1993
Granted: 28 May 1996
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification9 codes

G06Q 10/04
Administration; Management: forecasting or optimisation specially adapted for administrative or management purposes, e.g. linear programming or…
B01J 19/0033
Controlling or regulating processes: optimalisation processes, i.e. processes with adaptive control systems
G05B 13/027
The criterion being a learning criterion: using neural networks only
G06Q 30/0201
Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising: market modelling; Market analysis; Collecting market data