System and method for representing a cause and effect matrix as a set of numerical representations

Abstract

A system and method for defining a cause and effect matrix (CEM) within a process control system for a process plant, including accessing a cause and effect matrix (CEM) having a set of causes and a set of effects, wherein each of the set of causes represents a condition within the process plant and each of the set of effects represents an effect to be performed within the process plant. The system and method further includes, for each of the set of effects: (i) identifying a subset of the set of causes according to a corresponding set of the cause-effect pairs corresponding to the effect of the set of effects, (ii) defining the subset of the set of causes as a single-dimension matrix, and (iii) automatically calculating a numerical representation for the single-dimension matrix. The system and method further includes configuring a set of function blocks for the process control system according to the set of numerical representations.

Description

[0001] related application [0002] This patent application is a conventional patent application that claims U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62 / 239,657, filed October 9, 2015, entitled "A System and Method for Configuring Separated Monitor and Effect Blocks of a Process Control System" Priority and benefit of the Provisional Patent Application is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference. technical field [0003] The present disclosure relates generally to managing process control systems within process plants, and more particularly to configuring a cause and effect matrix (CEM) associated with a process control system and creating monitoring and result blocks associated therewith. Background technique [0004] Process control systems, such as those used in chemical, petroleum, or other processes, typically include one or more process controllers communicatively coupled to at least one host computer or operator workstation and controlled via analog, di...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, such CEMs are limited by the defined size of the matrix, and are often not large enough to handle all desired cause / effect data relationships

Furthermore, such CEMs cannot handle more complex / fine-grained causes / effects such as chain connections, linkages, levels, loops, etc.

Furthermore, large CEMs are cumbersome to implement into the control logic, and are therefore error-prone during implementation

In safety systems, maintaining an accurate CEM is necessary because errors in the CEM can be serious since failure of a normally operating safety system can result in serious injury or even death to plant personnel and damage to plant equipment and materials. Potentially multi-million dollar damage

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