Method and device for correcting production process

Abstract

There is provided a method for correcting an environmental influencing parameter of a production process for producing a product, the method comprising: receiving a product identifier for identifying the product and / or the production process for producing the product; receiving at least one feasibility process parameter, wherein the at least one feasibility process parameter comprises at least one of: a target value of the environmental impact parameter of the production process of the product; and / or a number of at least one measure of the environmental influencing parameter for influencing the production process for producing the product; evaluating the production process based on the at least one feasibility process parameter; and providing a feasibility response, wherein the feasibility response is an indication of an effect caused by the at least one feasibility process parameter on the production process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of sustainability technologies. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a method for correcting environmental impact parameters of a production process for producing a product; to a computer program element having instructions which, when executed on a processing device, are configured to implement the method for correcting environmental impact parameters of a production process for producing a product; to a computer-readable medium having instructions which, when executed on a processing device, are configured to implement the method for correcting environmental impact parameters of a production process for producing a product; to a smart contract having instructions which, when executed on a processing device, are configured to implement the method for correcting environmental impact parameters of a production process for producing a product; and to an inspection device for inspecting a production process of a product. Background Art

[0002] In a supply chain, the environmental impact of each supply chain participant is of great interest. Transparency among the participants can support a collective reduction of environmental impact and the fight against climate change.

[0003] The awareness of the importance of climate protection measures among the public, regulatory authorities, and financial investors is growing rapidly. Major companies have announced ambitious short-term goals for reducing environmental impact. One example is the CO2 reduction target, including emissions related to purchased raw materials, as required by, for example, the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTI). Therefore, consumers increasingly demand transparency regarding the product carbon footprint (PCF) and options for correcting and / or generating and in particular reducing the PCF value.

[0004] Final products in the chemical industry can depend on the raw materials provided as inputs to the industrial production network. However, the composition of the final product may be opaque. Therefore, predicting the final PCF value and / or other sustainability parameters of the final product can be a challenging task. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for an efficient way to evaluate the efforts for changing sustainability parameters.

[0006] These and other objects which become apparent upon reading the following specification are solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. The dependent claims relate to embodiments of the invention.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method for controlling, monitoring, modifying, and / or generating environmental impact parameters of a production process for manufacturing a product is provided. The method may include receiving a product identifier for identifying the product and / or for identifying the production process, and receiving at least one feasibility process parameter. The at least one feasibility process parameter includes at least one of the following: a target value of an environmental impact parameter of the production process of the product, and / or a quantity of at least one measure for influencing the environmental impact parameter of the production process of the product.

[0008] The method further includes evaluating the production process based on the at least one feasibility process parameter and providing a feasibility response, where the feasibility response is an indication of the effect caused by the at least one feasibility process parameter on the production process and in particular on the environmental impact parameter (e.g., the PCF value). For example, the environmental impact parameter and / or the environmental impact of the parameter may be reduced, lowered, and / or decreased.

[0009] In other words, the feasibility process parameter may directly and / or indirectly indicate which values and / or quantities are expected to be modified, checked, and / or adjusted by the user and / or the device (e.g., a decentralized system and / or an IoT (Internet of Things) device).

[0010] Therefore, the present disclosure may describe a method for controlling, monitoring, modifying, and / or generating environmental impact parameters of a production process for manufacturing a product. The method may include: receiving a product identifier for identifying the product and / or for identifying the production process, and receiving a target value of an environmental impact parameter of the production process of the product, and / or receiving a quantity of at least one measure for influencing the environmental impact parameter of the production process of the product.

[0011] The method further includes: evaluating the production process based on at least one received target value of an environmental impact parameter of the production process of the product and / or the received quantity of at least one measure for influencing the environmental impact parameter of the production process of the product, and providing an indication of the effect caused by at least one received target value of an environmental impact parameter of the production process of the product and / or the received quantity of at least one measure of the production process and in particular on the environmental impact parameter (e.g., the PCF value).

[0012] In one example, a target value of an environmental impact parameter of a production process of a receivable product can be received as a feasibility parameter. In this example, metrics and / or a mix of metrics that make it feasible and / or possible to achieve the target value can be identified. When identifying metrics, the ordering among the metrics can be considered. In another example, as an option, a method can provide metrics and / or a mix of metrics that can help generate a value of the environmental impact parameter that is as close as possible to a desired target. This can be provided in cases where it is not possible to maximize the desired target value.

[0013] In another example, metrics and / or a mix of metrics can be received as a feasibility parameter. In this example, information can be provided as a feasibility response that indicates how the provided metrics and / or the mix of metrics can affect the environmental impact parameter.

[0014] In another example, an amount of effort for adopting metrics and / or a mix of metrics in a production process of a product can be provided. The amount of effort can be used as a cost metric for a metric, as a cost metric for a combination of metrics, and / or as a cost metric for a mix of metrics.

[0015] The effort can be an amount of energy and / or time that may need to be adopted. The effect can be measured as an increase in a sustainability factor and / or a reduction in greenhouse gases and / or PCF.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a computer program element is provided that has instructions which, when executed on a processing device, are configured to implement a method for modifying an environmental impact parameter of a production process for producing a product.

[0017] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a computer-readable medium is provided that has instructions which, when executed on a processing device, are configured to implement a method for modifying an environmental impact parameter of a production process for producing a product.

[0018] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a smart contract is provided that has instructions which, when executed on a processing device (such as an agent in a decentralized system), are configured to implement a method for modifying an environmental impact parameter of a production process for producing a product.

[0019] In this way, a demand can be sent to a trading and / or purchasing system that is used to generate a product having a target value of an environmental impact parameter associated with a production process of the product, and / or by using a predefined amount of at least one metric for influencing the environmental impact parameter of the production process of the product.

[0020] For example, there may be provided a method for correcting environmental impact parameters of a production process for producing a product, a smart contract for correcting environmental impact parameters of a production process for producing a product, and / or a use of a device for producing a product in a computer network (such as a decentralized network).

[0021] In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a device for correcting environmental impact parameters of a production process of a product. The device includes a user interface for receiving a product identifier for identifying the product and / or for identifying the production process of the process. The user interface is further configured to receive at least one feasibility process parameter, where the at least one feasibility process parameter includes at least one of the following: a target value of an environmental impact parameter of the production process of the product, and / or a quantity of at least one measure for influencing the environmental impact parameter of the production process of the product.

[0022] The review device further includes a processing device for evaluating the production process based on the at least one feasibility process parameter.

[0023] The user interface of the review device is further configured to provide a feasibility response, where the feasibility response is an indication identification of the effect caused by the at least one feasibility process parameter on the production process, where the effect can be found during the evaluation of the production process based on the at least one feasibility process parameter. The user interface can be an interactive device leading to a decentralized network. In this way, fully automated machine-to-machine environmental impact parameter adaptation can be achieved.

[0024] Any disclosure, implementation, and example described herein relate to the methods, systems, devices, and computer elements listed above and below. Advantageously, the benefits provided by any implementation and example also apply to all other implementations and examples.

[0025] Embodiment

[0026] The methods and devices of the present disclosure allow obtaining an overview of the effect caused by at least one feasibility process parameter on the production process. The effect can be evaluated substantially in the digital space, and physical experiments before selecting measures can be avoided. In one example, attributes are assigned to the product and / or associated with the product. These attributes can classify the product as a product having properties generated using the methods and / or devices for correcting and / or generating environmental impact parameters.

[0027] For example, if the environmental parameters are the PCF value and / or the water impact value, the method and / or apparatus for modifying and / or generating environmental impact parameters can be used to reduce the corresponding environmental impact parameters of existing production processes and / or to generate a product production process with predefined low environmental impact parameters. Then, the product generated by considering the feasibility response can be represented as a low-PCF product and / or a low water-quality impact product.

[0028] Environmental impact parameters, attributes, and / or metrics provided by using the method and / or apparatus for modifying and / or generating environmental impact parameters can be stored in a case statement, register, digital twin, and / or material passport associated with the product produced during the production process.

[0029] The chemical production process for producing chemical products in a chemical production network of a chemical production plant can be available in a digital representation of the production process (e.g., a bill of materials (BOM)). The production process can be associated with specific environmental impact parameters and / or with specific environmental impact factors.

[0030] There can be metrics for reducing and / or decreasing the environmental impact parameters of a chemical production process. Finding an option for achieving the reduction and / or decrease effort can be to apply a specific metric for influencing the environmental impact parameter and checking how the corresponding metric affects the environmental impact parameter.

[0031] However, in a chemical production plant, multiple production processes are executed in parallel. Therefore, there can be many processes that affect the environmental impact parameters. Thus, having a digital representation and / or digital twin of the production process can allow for checking a specific chemical production process. The chemical production process can be indicated by a product identifier. Such product identifiers not only help identify the product but also help identify the corresponding production process. The product identifier can also make it possible to link the production process and / or product in the physical world to the digital representation of the production process and / or product.

[0032] The proposed method and apparatus for modifying and / or generating the environmental impact parameters of a production process can help execute the process of finding the target value. The digital execution of the method can also allow for finding the metrics for achieving a specific predefined target value of the environmental impact parameter. It is also possible to test what target value can be achieved by introducing a specific metric. By operating in this way in the digital space, the effort for reducing the contribution to environmental impact can be reduced.

[0033] The digital representation of the product and / or the production process for producing the product can also allow for embedding the method and / or apparatus for modifying and / or generating the environmental impact parameters of the production process for producing the product into a digital platform (such as an e-commerce platform).

[0034] In a digital architecture attachable to a chemical production plant, orders can be allocated by means of digital requests. The basis of the digital architecture can form a data network for exchanging digital messages among the participants in such an architecture. The digital architecture can be used as the basis for constituting the physical material flow of products (e.g., chemical products) across the production site. This can be particularly beneficial in a single-input multi-output production environment and / or an environment with a cyclic process such as can be used in the chemical industry.

[0035] In one example, an order for a chemical product can include the specification of an upper threshold value of an environmental impact parameter of the chemical product. This higher threshold value may not be exceeded. When such an order is received, a method for modifying, adjusting, and / or generating the environmental impact parameter of the production process for producing the product can be triggered.

[0036] As a result of executing the method, the feasibility response generated by the method can provide information on whether the requested product can be delivered and / or which alternative options of the product can be delivered, in particular which environmental impact parameters.

[0037] In this way, a fully automated product purchase process can be established, in which digital counterparts negotiate the terms of the purchase.

[0038] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be outlined by way of examples. It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the described embodiments and / or examples.

[0039] The environmental impact parameter can also be referred to as a sustainability parameter and can be a property related to environmental impact. The property related to environmental impact can indicate the environmental performance of one or more products. The property related to environmental impact can be associated with the environmental impact of one or more products at any stage of their life cycle. The stages of the product life cycle can include the following stages or any subset of the following stages: providing raw materials, components, and / or parts to be used in the production of the product; producing the product, such as an intermediate product or a final product; using the product; treating end-of-life products; recycling end-of-life products; disposing of end-of-life products; reusing components from end-of-life products. The property related to environmental impact can be specified or can be derived from any activity of one or more entities participating in any stage of the life cycle of one or more products.

[0040] The property related to environmental impact can include one or more characteristics attributable to the environmental impact of the product. The property related to environmental impact can include environmental, technical, or circularity characteristics associated with the environmental impact of one or more products.

[0041] Environmental characteristics can specify or quantify ecological criteria associated with the environmental impact of a product. Environmental characteristics can be or can be derived from measurements and / or gauges taken during the life cycle of one or more products. Environmental characteristics can be determined at any stage of the product life cycle and can characterize the environmental impact of such stage or of the product up to such stage. Environmental characteristics can include, for example, the product carbon footprint (PCF), greenhouse gas emissions, resource use, air emissions, ozone depletion potential, water pollution, noise pollution, or eutrophication potential, biodegradability. Environmental characteristics can also include, for example, product characteristics related to the production of the product, such as bio-based, vegan, halal, kosher, palm oil-free, natural, etc.

[0042] Technical characteristics can specify or quantify product performance that is at least indirectly associated with environmental impact. Technical characteristics can be or can be derived from measurements taken during the life cycle of one or more products. Technical characteristics can be determined at any stage of the product life cycle and can characterize the product performance of such stage or of the product up to such stage. Technical characteristics can include, for example, product composition data, bill of materials (BOM), product specification data, product component data, product safety data, application characteristic data, application instructions, or product quality data.

[0043] Circularity characteristics can specify or quantify product life cycle characteristics associated with circular use. Circularity characteristics can be or can be derived from measurements taken during the life cycle of one or more products. Circularity characteristics can be or can be derived from circular data recorded in one or more previous life cycles (including reuse).

[0044] Circularity characteristics can be determined at any stage of the product life cycle and can characterize the reuse or recycling performance of such stage or of the product up to such stage. Circularity characteristics can include, for example, recycling data, reuse rate, recovery rate, recycling cycles, reused product performance, reused product quality, etc.

[0045] In one example, circularity characteristics can include circular raw materials, such as renewable raw materials and chemical recycling. Examples of renewable raw materials can be ethanol (1st and 2nd generation), biomethane, renewable cracker feedstock, other biologicals (in fermentation routes), and / or feedstock from gasification (e.g., biomass). Examples of chemical recycling can include feedstock from gasification (e.g., waste), pyrolysis (chemical looping), and / or chemical recycling of single materials.

[0046] In one embodiment, a processor may refer to any logic circuit configured to perform the basic operations of a computer or system, and / or generally refers to a device configured to perform computing or logical operations. In particular, a processor or computer processor may be configured to process the basic instructions that drive a computer or system. It may be a semiconductor-based processor, a quantum processor, or any other type of processor configured to process instructions. For example, a processor may be or may include a central processing unit (CPU). A processor may be a graphics processing unit (“GPU”), a tensor processing unit (“TPU”), a complex instruction set computing microprocessor (“CISC”), a reduced instruction set computing (“RISC”) microprocessor, a very long instruction word (“VLIW”) microprocessor, or a processor implementing other instruction sets or a combination of instruction sets. The processing component may also be one or more dedicated processing devices, such as an application-specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”), a field-programmable gate array (“FPGA”), a complex programmable logic device (“CPLD”), a digital signal processor (“DSP”), a network processor, etc. The methods, systems, and devices described herein may be implemented as software in a DSP, a microcontroller, or any other side processor, or as hardware circuits within an ASIC, CPLD, or FPGA. It should be understood that the term processor may also refer to one or more processing devices, such as a distributed system of processing devices located on multiple computer systems (e.g., cloud computing), and is not limited to a single device, unless otherwise specified.

[0047] In one embodiment, the memory may refer to the physical system memory, which may be volatile, non-volatile, or a combination thereof. The memory may include non-volatile mass storage devices, such as physical storage media. The memory may be a computer-readable storage medium, such as RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM, or other optical disk storage devices, magnetic disk storage devices, or other magnetic storage devices, non-disk storage devices (such as solid-state disks), or any other physical and tangible storage medium that can be used to store the desired program code means in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computing system. In addition, the memory may be a computer-readable medium (also referred to as a transmission medium) carrying computer-executable instructions. Additionally, when arriving at various computing system components, the program code means in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures may be automatically transferred from the transmission medium to the storage medium (or vice versa). For example, computer-executable instructions or data structures received over a network or data link may be cached in the RAM of a network interface module (e.g., “NIC”), and then ultimately transferred to the computing system RAM and / or the non-volatile storage medium of the computing system. Thus, it should be understood that the storage medium may be included in computing components that also (or even primarily) utilize the transmission medium.

[0048] In one embodiment, a computing node may refer to any device or system that includes at least one physical and tangible processor and a physical and tangible memory capable of having computer-executable instructions executed thereon by the processor. The computing node may be, for example, a handheld device, a production facility, a sensor, a monitoring system, a control system, an appliance, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a mainframe, a data center, or even a device not traditionally regarded as a computing node, such as a wearable device (e.g., glasses, a watch, etc.). The memory may take any form and depends on the nature and form of the computing node.

[0049] In one embodiment, a wireless communication protocol may be used. The wireless communication protocol may include any known network technologies, such as GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), GPRS (General Packet Radio Service), EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) / HSPA (High-Speed Packet Access), LTE (Long-Term Evolution) technology using standards such as 2G, 3G, 4G, or 5G. The wireless communication protocol may also include a wireless local area network (WLAN), such as Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity).

[0050] In one embodiment, distributed computing may be implemented. Distributed computing may refer to any computing that utilizes multiple computing resources. Such utilization may be achieved through the virtualization of physical computing resources. An example of distributed computing is cloud computing. "Cloud computing" may refer to a model for enabling on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage devices, applications, and services). When distributed, the cloud computing environment may be distributed internationally within an organization and / or across multiple organizations. In one embodiment, distributed computing may be implemented in a federated network.

[0051] The user interface may include an input device and / or an output device, which may provide an interface to any type of wired or wireless data network. The user interface may be used to receive and / or obtain a product identifier and / or at least one feasibility process parameter. The data network may provide access to distributed computing and / or cloud computing. The user interface may also allow the distribution of feasibility responses to different digital targets for using the corresponding results.

[0052] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the feasibility response includes at least one measure and / or a number of mixed measures for achieving a desired target value of an environmental impact parameter of a production process of a product. In one example, the number may be an absolute value. In another example, the number may be a fraction, such as a percentage value.

[0053] Such a response may be provided when a solution that meets the target value is found by evaluating a production process based on at least one feasibility process parameter.

[0054] That is, if a target value of an environmental impact parameter for a production process of a product (e.g., a target PCF value and / or a low PCF value) is received and this target can be met by a measurement and / or a combination of measurements, then the measurements (including their quantities) are provided as a result. Using this result, the production process can be adjusted to produce the desired product as a low PCF product.

[0055] If the target value for the environmental impact parameter cannot be achieved and / or realized, then alternative solutions in the form of alternative and / or different target values of the environmental impact parameter can be suggested by this method.

[0056] In other words, the available combinations of the target value of the environmental impact parameter of the production process of a product and the quantity of at least one measurement of the environmental impact parameter used to influence the production process of the product form and / or span a mathematical solution space that can be limited by boundary conditions. A method for correcting the environmental impact parameter of the production process for producing a product and / or a correction device for correcting the production process for producing a product can help find an effective solution in this solution space. To find an effective solution, the actual production process can be considered to essentially include all the physical impacts on the environment caused by the production process. Information about the physical impacts can be present in a database. An optimization algorithm can be established to find an effective solution in the solution space.

[0057] In another aspect of the present invention, the feasibility response includes an effort value necessary to achieve the target value of the environmental impact parameter of the production process of the product.

[0058] In one example, the effort can represent the amount of work involved in generating and / or producing the product and / or material and / or the work for the measurement. In a specific example, more effort is required to generate a replacement material, e.g., a renewable or recycled raw material. This effort can be based on a "proof of work", i.e., more work may be required to generate a replacement raw material. In another example, the effort can refer to the availability and / or duration of the product and / or material and / or the resources used to generate this effort. The effort can be converted, for example, into a metric using a common unit (e.g., based on the International System of Units (SI)), such as price, amount of energy, and / or quantity of other resources, so that the results can be compared. In one example, normalization and / or standardization of values can be performed. Examples of the metric can also be currency and / or price. The effort also represents the work that must be done when producing the product by a specific measurement. In one example, the effort can represent the difference in the additional work done by producing the product according to the measurement compared to different ways of producing the product. In another example, the effort can also represent the cost of using different materials that may have to be purchased.

[0059] The effort value can be used as a criterion for selecting and / or evaluating a specific measurement.

[0060] Making the effort adopt a common unit allows the effort to be used in the optimization formula.

[0061] In one example, the feasibility response includes an adjusted target value of an environmental impact parameter of the production process of the product.

[0062] If the evaluation of the production process based on at least one feasibility process parameter shows that the desired target value of the environmental impact parameter of the production process of the product may be unattainable, for example, the desired PCF value is too low and cannot be met using the available metrics, then an alternative target value for the environmental impact parameter can be provided by the method, even if the method does not fully meet the requirements.

[0063] According to another aspect of the present invention, an ordering of at least one metric for influencing an environmental impact parameter is provided to display and / or set a preference for one of the at least one metric for influencing an environmental impact parameter of the production process for producing a product.

[0064] In a case where at least two metrics for influencing an environmental impact parameter are presented and / or discovered by the method and provided to the user, the user can indicate a preference for one of the at least two metrics.

[0065] In one example, a preference for a metric can be indicated before executing the method, for example, by establishing a user profile that stores the user's preferences (especially the user's preferences for specific metrics).

[0066] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, at least one metric proposed for influencing an environmental impact parameter depends on the received product identifier.

[0067] In other words, for the production process of a product, different products may have different environmental impact parameters. For example, a product that does not involve incineration may not depend on a metric for generating a low PCF value, while a product that does not produce wastewater will not benefit from a metric aimed at reducing wastewater.

[0068] Therefore, in order to reduce the number of possible metrics and not provide the user with too much information, not all metrics are provided, but only the important metrics that may be most beneficial to a specific product and / or a specific production process. The user can clearly understand the relevant and most promising metrics.

[0069] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the present disclosure evaluates a production process deployment environmental attribute calculation scheme, such as a mass balance calculation scheme, based on at least one feasibility process parameter.

[0070] To find a measure that supports achieving a target value for an environmental impact parameter of a production process of a product, it may be necessary to find at least one measure for the environmental impact parameter of the production process that affects the product. Starting from the environmental impact parameter of the production process for producing the product, a change in the target value of the environmental impact parameter can be caused by replacing a certain quantity of the process parameters of the production process with the quantity of the measure. For example, to reduce the PCF value of a product, a corresponding quantity of renewable and / or recycled raw materials can be used to replace a process parameter (such as the quantity of fossil raw materials).

[0071] To compare the recycling, renewable, and / or bio-based content of one or more input materials used in a chemical production network, a balancing unit can be used. The balancing unit can be based on the calorific value of the material.

[0072] Performing calculations using a common unit (e.g., a unit defined by the International System of Units (SI)) makes the results comparable. Examples of common units are mass, weight, hydrogen atoms, carbon atoms, methane equivalent. These parameters can be measured in kg, CO2 equivalent per heating unit (kg CO 2 kg per heating unit, kg methane equivalent), where the heating unit is a common unit of the heat generated by combustion. The heating unit can refer to 50 MJ, where 50 MJ is approximately the lower calorific value of natural gas. This common unit makes the energy content of renewable raw materials, chemically recycled raw materials, and / or fossil raw materials comparable. The mass balance calculation scheme can be based on the heating unit. Based on the balance scheme, different materials can be exchanged and / or replaced.

[0073] In another example, the heating unit can be regarded as a balancing unit. The environmental impact parameter and / or environmental attribute can be converted into one or more balancing units. The one or more balancing units can be assigned to at least one virtual balance account associated with the corresponding environmental attribute.

[0074] At least one environmental attribute can be assigned to a product, such as a chemical product. Assigning an environmental attribute can include converting one or more balances into one or more environmental attributes. The one or more environmental attributes can be released from at least one virtual balance account associated with the corresponding environmental attribute.

[0075] Mass, weight, hydrogen atoms, carbon atoms, methane equivalent, or any other metric is a suitable measure for quantifying the environmental impact of an environmental attribute. By using a balancing unit, it can be ensured that the environmental attributes of the input materials are only used to assign to a chemical product once. In this way, double counting of inputs or outputs is avoided, and the positive environmental impact can be reliably assigned to the chemical product.

[0076] Assigning and / or releasing environmental attributes based on mass can be referred to as a mass balance calculation scheme.

[0077] In one example, each produced product and / or process parameters of the associated production process may be stored in a database. The process parameters include the input materials and / or raw materials that form the basis of the product. Such process parameters may be retrieved from the database (e.g., from the BOM and recipe stored in the database), and subsequently, based on the evaluated metrics, the individual input materials and raw materials may be replaced with the type and quantity of replacement products.

[0078] Similar to the case of effort, substituting quantities and amounts into a common unit allows these quantities and amounts to be used in the optimization formula.

[0079] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides for evaluating a production process based on at least one feasibility process parameter by deploying an optimization model.

[0080] The optimization model can help find the target value of the environmental impact parameter of the production process of the product and an effective combination of the quantity of at least one metric for influencing the environmental impact parameter of the production process of the product.

[0081] The detected combination can be the starting point for changes in the target value of the environmental impact parameter of the production process of the product and the quantity of at least one metric for influencing the environmental impact parameter of the production process of the product.

[0082] Additional support can be provided by generating a graphical representation of possible changes to find the desired target value and / or the solution for the necessary metrics and corresponding quantities. Such graphical charts can indicate the share of renewable and / or recyclable raw materials and the limits for exchanging fossil raw materials with renewable and / or recyclable raw materials.

[0083] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the environmental impact parameter of the production process of the product is the environmental impact parameter of the production process of the product selected from the group of environmental impact parameters. The group of environmental impact parameters consists of product carbon footprint (PCF) value, wastewater value, emission value, calorific value, and waste incineration value.

[0084] The methods and / or devices disclosed in the present invention can be utilized to examine different parameters that may be desirably reduced.

[0085] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, at least one metric for influencing the environmental impact parameter is a metric selected from the group consisting of: using sustainable materials, using green energy, using circular raw materials, using renewable raw materials, using recycled raw materials, using end-of-life tires, using mixed waste plastics, using bio-naphtha, and using biomethane.

[0086] Green electricity and / or green energy may refer to any form of electricity, heat, or steam generated from renewable resources such as wind, tides, geothermal, and / or sun.

[0087] The set of metrics can have an impact on and / or be related to the target value of the environmental impact parameters of the production process used to produce a product. Using the methods and / or apparatuses disclosed in the present invention can help identify the actual impact on the current situation being examined by substantially simulating and / or calculating the production process and / or by using data from the production process of the relevant product.

[0088] In yet another aspect according to the present disclosure, the parameters of the production process are substantially derived from a database.

[0089] In this way, the production process can be repeated non-permanently in order to have reference values of the production process. The parameters of the production process can be stored in the database in the form of a matrix and / or a BOM, and / or stored in a recipe. In one example, the parameters of the production process to be corrected can include natural gas (NG) and naphtha (Na).

[0090] In other words, there can be a lookup table available as production process parameters and a database that can store parameters (such as the input parameters of the production process for each product). The lookup table can allow for quick data access and quick assessment of the impact of the quantity of at least one metric of the environmental impact parameters used to affect the production process of a product on the environmental impact parameters, and vice versa.

[0091] The process parameters can include the quantity and / or type of input parameters of the chemical production process in a chemical production network. The input parameters can include natural gas (NG) and naphtha (Na).

[0092] According to another aspect of the present disclosure. The method further includes using the quantity of at least one metric of the environmental impact parameters used to affect the production process of a product to control the production process of the product in a factory and / or in a production network.

[0093] The identified metrics can be used in a factory and / or in a production network in order to produce a product having corresponding environmental impact parameters. If, for example, a low PCF product is desired, renewable and / or recycled raw materials are used in the production process.

[0094] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the product is a chemical product produced in a chemical production network of a chemical plant.

[0095] The process is a chemical production process using chemical reactions.

[0096] In one example, the product is a chemical product. Description of the Drawings

[0097] Hereinafter, the present disclosure is further described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the drawings and the present disclosure are intended to refer to the same or similar elements, components, and / or parts.

[0098] Figure 1a Shows a centralized computing environment according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0099] Figure 1b Shows a decentralized computing environment according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0100] Figure 1c Shows a distributed computing environment according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0101] Figure 2 Shows a block diagram of a correction device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0102] Figure 3 Shows a flowchart of a method for correcting environmental impact parameters of a production process for producing a product according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0103] Figure 4 Shows a graphical user interface for operating a correction device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0104] Figure 5 Shows measuring the impact of mixing on a target value.

[0105] Figure 6a 、 Figure 6b Shows a more detailed view of a flowchart of a method for correcting and / or generating environmental impact parameters of a production process for producing a product according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention Figure 3 of the flowchart. Detailed Description

[0106] The following embodiments are only examples for implementing the methods, systems or application devices disclosed herein and should not be considered restrictive.

[0107] Figures 1a to 1c Shows different computing environments: centralized computing environment, decentralized computing environment and distributed computing environment. The methods, devices, systems, uses, computer components of the present disclosure can be implemented in a decentralized or at least partially decentralized computing environment. The provision, determination or processing of data can be implemented by different computing nodes, which can be implemented in a centralized computing environment, a decentralized computing environment or a distributed computing environment.

[0108] Figure 1a Shows a centralized computing environment for better understanding of the present invention.

[0109] In this example, the peripheral computing nodes 101, 101.1 to 101.n can be connected to a central computing system (or server) 112. In another example, the peripheral computing nodes 101, 101.1 to 101.n can be attached to the central computing node through, for example, a terminal server (not shown). Most functions can be performed by or obtained from the central computing node 112. The central computing node 112 can be referred to as a remote centralized location.

[0110] One of the multiple peripheral computing nodes 101.1 to 101.1.n, the peripheral computing node 101, has been expanded to provide an overview of the components present in the peripheral computing node. The peripheral computing node 101 can include the same components as those described with respect to the peripheral computing node 101.n. Each computing node 101, 101.1 to 101.n can include at least one hardware processor 102 and a memory 104.

[0111] The computing nodes 101, 101.1…101.n can include program code 106, which is schematically represented as a plurality of structures 106. The plurality of structures 106 can be referred to as executable components, executable instructions, computer-executable instructions, or instructions. An executable component or any equivalent thereof can be well understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art of computing as a name for a structure that can be software, hardware, or a combination thereof or a structure that can be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination thereof. For example, when implemented in software, a person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the structure of an executable component includes software objects, routines, methods, etc. executed on the computing nodes 101, 101.1…101.n, whether such executable components exist in the heap of the computing nodes 101, 101.1…101.n or the executable components exist on a computer-readable storage medium. In such cases, a person of skill in the art will recognize that the structure of the executable component exists on the computer-readable medium such that when interpreted by one or more processors (e.g., through processor threads) of the computing nodes 101, 101.1…101.n, the computing nodes 101, 101.1…101.n are caused to perform functions.

[0112] Such a structure can be directly computer-readable by the processor 112 (and this is also the case if the executable component is binary). Alternatively, the structure can be constructed to be interpretable and / or compiled (either in a single stage or in multiple stages) to generate such binary that can be directly interpreted by the processor. Such an understanding of the exemplary structure of the executable component is well within the understanding of an ordinary person skilled in the computing art. Examples of executable components that can be implemented in hardware include hard-coded or hard-wired logic gates that are implemented exclusively or nearly exclusively in hardware (such as within a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or any other special-purpose circuit). In this specification, the words component, agent, manager, service, engine, module, virtual machine, etc. are used synonymously with executable component.

[0113] The processor 102 of each computing node 101, 101.1…101.n can direct the operation of each computing node 101, 101.1…101.n in response to having executed computer-executable instructions that make up an executable component. For example, such computer-executable instructions can be embodied on one or more computer-readable media that form a computer program product. The computer-executable instructions can be stored in the memory 104 of each computing node 101, 101.1…101.n. The computer-executable instructions include, for example, instructions and data that, when executed at the processor 101, cause a general computing node 101, 101.1…101.n, a dedicated computing node 101, 101.1…101.n, or a dedicated processing device to perform a specific function or group of functions. Alternatively or in addition, the computer-executable instructions can configure the computing node 101, 101.1…101.n to perform a specific function or group of functions. The computer-executable instructions can be, for example, binary instructions, or even instructions that undergo some translation (such as compilation) before being directly executed by the processor, such as intermediate format instructions (such as assembly language) or even source code.

[0114] Each computing node 101, 101.1…101.n may include communication channels 108 that allow each computing node 101.1…101.n to communicate with a central computing node 112 (e.g., a network that enables the transfer of electronic data between the computing nodes 101, 101.1…101.n and / or modules and / or other electronic devices). When information is transmitted to the computing nodes 101, 101.1…101.n via a network or other communication connection (hardwired, wireless, or a combination of hardwired and wireless), the computing nodes 101, 101.1…101.n reasonably regard this connection as a transmission medium. The transmission medium may include a network and / or a data link that can be used to carry the desired program code means in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by general-purpose or special-purpose computing nodes 101, 101.1…101.n. The above combination may also be subsumed within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0115] The computing nodes 101, 101.1 to 101.n may also include a user interface system 110 for use in interacting with a user. The user interface system 110 may include an output mechanism 110A and an input mechanism 110B. The principles described herein are not limited to a precise output mechanism 110A or input mechanism 110B as this will depend on the nature of the device. However, the output mechanism 110A may include, for example, a display, a speaker, a display, a tactile output, a hologram, and the like. Examples of the input mechanism 110B may include (e.g.) a microphone, a touch screen, a hologram, a camera, a keyboard, a mouse or other pointer input, any type of sensor, and the like.

[0116] In one example, the computing nodes 101, 101.1 to 101.n may also be controlled and / or operated via a remote terminal (e.g., via SSH (Secure Shell)) and / or a remote Windows system (e.g., X-Windows). In such cases, a user may connect to the output mechanism 110A and / or the input mechanism 110B via the communication channel 108.

[0117] In yet another example, the output mechanism 110A and / or the input mechanism 110B provide a standardized interface, for example, via an API (Application Programming Interface). Such an interface may be protected by any form of authentication and / or authorization scheme in order to restrict access to the API.

[0118] Any form of remote and / or local access may not be limited to the type of network architecture. Thus, remote access may be provided by a central computing environment, a decentralized computing environment 100, and / or by a distributed computing environment 103.

[0119] For a better understanding of the present invention, Figure 1bShows a distributed computing environment 100' having a number of computing nodes 101.1' to 101.n'.

[0120] The plurality of computing nodes 101.1' to 101.n' are shown as solid circles. As compared with Figure 1a the centralized computing environment 100 shown in, the computing nodes 101.1' to 101.n' of the distributed computing environment are not connected to a central computing node 112 and are thus not under the control of the central computing node. Instead, resources (both hardware and software) can be allocated to each individual computing node 101.1'…101.n' (local or remote computing systems), and data can be distributed among the various computing nodes 101.1'…101.n' to perform tasks. Thus, in a distributed system environment, program modules can be located in both local and remote memory storage devices. One computing node 101' has been expanded to provide an overview of the components present in the computing node 101'. In this example, the computing node 101' includes corresponding components as described with respect to Figure 1a the same.

[0121] Figure 1c Shows a distributed computing environment 103 for better understanding of the present invention.

[0122] In this example, the distributed cloud computing environment 103 may include the following computing resources: mobile device 114, application 116, database 118, data storage device 120, and server 122. The cloud computing environment 103 can be deployed as a public cloud 124, a private cloud 126, or a hybrid cloud 128. The private cloud 126 can be owned by an organization, and only members of the organization with the correct access rights can use the private cloud 126, such that the data in the private cloud is at least confidential. In contrast, the data stored in the public cloud 124 can be open to anyone via the Internet. The hybrid cloud 128 can be a combination of both the private cloud 124 and the public cloud 126, and can allow some of the data to remain confidential while other data can be publicly available.

[0123] Figure 2 Shows a block diagram of a modification device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0124] A modification device 201 for modifying and / or generating a production process 202 for producing a product. The device includes a user interface 203 and a processing device 204 connected to each other.

[0125] The user interface 203 is adapted to receive a product identifier, which is used to identify a product and / or a production process for manufacturing the product. The user interface 203 is also adapted to receive at least one feasibility process parameter, where the at least one feasibility process parameter includes at least one of the following: a target value of an environmental impact parameter of the production process of the product; and / or a quantity of at least one measure of the environmental impact parameter for influencing the production process of the product.

[0126] The processing device 204 is configured to evaluate the production process 202 based on the at least one feasibility process parameter, where the user interface 203 is configured to provide a feasibility response. The feasibility response is an indication of the effect caused by the at least one feasibility process parameter on the production process. In one example, the evaluation and / or analysis of the production process 202 is performed on a digital model and / or digital twin of the production process. In another alternative example, the evaluation can be performed on the physical production network of the factory.

[0127] The user interface 203 is operated by the local display device 205. In another alternative form (not shown in Figure 2 ), a remote display device can be used instead of the local display device. The user interface 203 may be adapted to receive a smart contract and execute program code and / or methods stored in such a smart contract.

[0128] The database 206 stores values of the production process 202 for each product.

[0129] The correction device 201 can be configured in any computer architecture. In one example, the correction device 201 can be designed as a stand-alone application and / or desktop application running on a single computing device (such as a desktop computer and / or a portable computer).

[0130] In another example, the correction device 201 can be designed as the peripheral computing nodes 101, 101.1 to 101.n and / or the central computing system 112.

[0131] In another application, the correction device 201 can be designed as one of several computing nodes 101.1' to 101.n' in the decentralized computing environment 100.

[0132] Figure 3 A flowchart of a method for controlling, monitoring, correcting, and / or generating environmental impact parameters of a production process for manufacturing a product according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0133] The method starts in the idle phase S300. In phase S301, a product identifier for identifying the product and / or the production process for manufacturing the product, and at least one feasibility process parameter are received, for example, via the user interface 203. The user interface 203 may include a graphical user interface (GUI) that is remotely displayed and / or locally displayed to enable the user to enter any input or display any result. In another example, the user interface may also include an API, such as a REST API.

[0134] The at least one feasibility process parameter includes at least one of the following: a target value of an environmental impact parameter of the production process 202 of the product, and / or a quantity of at least one measure of the environmental impact parameter for influencing the production process for manufacturing the product.

[0135] In phase S302, the production process 202 is evaluated based on the at least one feasibility process parameter.

[0136] In phase S303, a feasibility response is generated and provided, where the feasibility response is an indication of the effect caused by the at least one feasibility process parameter on the production process 202.

[0137] The method ends in phase S304. In one example, the method may be implemented as a computer-implemented method and / or implemented as a microservice.

[0138] Figure 4 A graphical user interface 400 for operating a correction device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0139] The graphical user interface 400 has at least one product input field 401 for receiving a product identifier. The graphical user interface may be displayed on a local display device 205 and / or displayed on a remote display.

[0140] In the target value column 402, a target value of an environmental impact parameter of the production process of the product, such as a target PCF value, may be provided and / or input.

[0141] The measure bar 403 is for inputting and / or displaying a quantity of at least one measure for influencing an environmental impact parameter of the production process for manufacturing the product. To save space, only a subset of the measures may be shown. The quantity may be a partial value of the share of the replacement product relative to the original product.

[0142] Depending on the entries in the target value column 402 and / or the measure column 403, a decision is made as to which feasibility process parameters 402, 403 are to be provided.

[0143] If a target value for an environmental impact parameter (e.g., a PCF value) is entered in the target value column 402, then in the "proposal" row, the quantity 403 (e.g., a percentage value) of at least one measure for the environmental impact parameter that affects the production process for producing the product is given.

[0144] However, if the quantity 403 of at least one measure and / or a measure of the mixture for the environmental impact parameter that affects the production process for producing the product is set in the measure column 403 in the "proposal" row, then the target value of the environmental impact parameter for the production process of the product is provided.

[0145] In an alternative embodiment, the target value of the environmental impact parameter can be entered in the target value column 402, and the minimum quantity of at least one measure for the environmental impact parameter that affects the production process for producing the product can be provided in the measure column 403. In this case, a solution aimed at meeting both goals is provided.

[0146] Any evaluation of the effort for the measure is shown in the effort column 404.

[0147] The proposal row 405 is used to make any suggestions when the target value of the environmental impact parameter may not be achieved. This row 405 also indicates whether the target may not be achieved. In this row, an alternative target value of the environmental impact parameter and the measure and / or the mixture of measures can be shown in order to achieve this alternative target.

[0148] Using this information, the user can find the appropriate mixture of measures in order to reach the target value.

[0149] In this way, for example, CO 2 emission reduction can be determined. The correction device 201 can be used for different achievements regarding CO 2 emission reduction.

[0150] The correction device 201 can help determine the minimum effort and / or cost increase for achieving the CO 2 target. This effort may be higher because special raw materials (such as renewable and / or recycled raw materials) can be used as inputs.

[0151] Another method can be to find the CO 2 reduction caused by a specific mixture of measures. In this way, the correction of the raw materials and the impact of such corrections on the target value of the environmental impact parameter of the production process of the product can be checked.

[0152] Further checks can be made by finding the measure and / or the mixture of measures for which the effort and / or cost is low, but still an impact on the target value (e.g., the CO 2 value) can be achieved.

[0153] In this way, a balance and / or compromise is made between the target value, the measure, and / or the effort.

[0154] Thus, in one example, a sustainability goal for the product (e.g., maximum PCF with minimum recycled or renewable content) can be provided as input. In another example, a minimum PCF with minimum recycled or renewable content can be provided as input. In yet another example, the maximum difference of the goals can be provided.

[0155] In another example, a maximum sustainability unit can be provided, such as a calorific value equivalent or a balance unit or Scope 2 electricity, which can be replaced in the product and / or in the production process of producing the product.

[0156] For each sustainable raw material candidate and / or green electricity, a PCF reduction per sustainability unit, an effort / cost per sustainability unit, and / or additional requirements (e.g., vegan, etc.) can be set.

[0157] Compared with fossil raw materials, the modification device 201 can provide, for each combination of sustainable raw material candidates and / or green electricity, the selected quantity per kg of product, the replacement amount according to the sustainability unit / kWh of electricity, the resulting PCF reduction, and the resulting increase in effort or cost.

[0158] By applying this method, for a single product, the minimum cost increase for achieving a given PCF, a renewable / recycled content goal, or any combination thereof can be checked. Additionally, the minimum achievable PCF and the resulting cost increase can be shown. As an additional option, the maximum achievable renewable / recycled content goal and the resulting cost increase can be analyzed.

[0159] Figure 5 The effect of the measure mixture on the target value according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0160] The graphical chart 500 transparently shows the emission reduction effort on the ordinate and the emission reduction potential on the abscissa. The figure represents the potential of a mixture of measures (such as renewable electricity 501 (invisible in this chart), biomethane 502, bio-naphtha 503, pyrolysis oil from end-of-life tires (EOLT) 504, and pyrolysis oil from mixed waste plastics (MPW) 505).

[0161] Parts 506 and 507 of the biomethane 502 and the pyrolysis oil from end-of-life tires (EOLT) 504 show the share of the replaced raw materials. The line 508 shows the maximum achievable reduction of the environmental impact parameter.

[0162] The graphical representation of the actual blend can assist in finding additional blends in order to achieve a predefined goal in accordance with the adaptation of the target value of the environmental impact parameter of the production process of the product.

[0163] The method can use an optimization algorithm, where the minimum or maximum value with respect to a specific goal (e.g., the required effort) will be found among a predefined set of metrics. These metrics include the combination of renewable and recycled contents that hypothetically replace naphtha and / or natural gas. The lower limit is defined for the renewable and recycled contents, and the upper limit is defined for the target value (e.g., the PCF value). The lower and upper limits are the sustainability goals and / or the target values of the environmental impact parameters of the production process of the product.

[0164] Different green energies are also included in the optimization model. The green energy can replace the energy generated from fossil sources. The energy can be received from different countries / regions and generated in different ways.

[0165] Infeasibility breakers and penalty scores are used in the optimization model for target values that do not meet the desired ones. As an example of a potential objective function, the corresponding costs and / or efforts of a set of metrics are considered in the optimization model.

[0166] Therefore, the purpose of the optimization model is to minimize the increase in cost / effort caused by the metrics and / or the blend of metrics, while meeting the sustainability goals, such as simultaneously meeting the target values of the environmental impact parameters of the production process of the product.

[0167] Figure 6a 、 Figure 6b shows a more detailed view of the flowchart of a method for correcting and / or generating environmental impact parameters of a production process for producing a product according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention Figure 3 of.

[0168] Without limiting the scope of the present disclosure, in the Figure 6a 、 Figure 6b description, it is assumed that the environmental impact parameter is the PCF value. However, it is recalled that any environmental sustainability value can be used instead of the PCF value. In other examples, the environmental impact parameter can be a sustainable attribute, such as any greenhouse gas emissions and / or water pollution.

[0169] The method starts in phase S610. In phase S611, the method can include receiving a product identifier for identifying the product and / or the production process. The product identifier can be input through the graphical user interface 400. For example, the product identifier is input into the product input field 401 of the user interface 400.

[0170] In an alternative example, the product identifier can be received through an API.

[0171] The product identifier input in stage S611 is used to retrieve data of the production process for producing and / or generating the product, the digital model and / or digital twin of production process 202 in stage S612. Such a digital model of production process 202 can form a basis for analyzing and / or for evaluating the production process for producing the product and in particular for evaluating the product. The digital model can be retrieved from database 206.

[0172] In stage S613, at least one feasibility process parameter is received. The feasibility process parameter can include at least one of the following: a target value of an environmental impact parameter of the production process for producing the product, and a quantity of at least one measure of the environmental impact parameter of the production process for influencing the production of the product.

[0173] The at least one feasibility process parameter can be input into target value column 402 in user interface 400 and / or into one of at least one measure columns 403, 403a, 403b. Depending on the location and / or column in user interface 400 (at which the information of the feasibility process parameter can be input into user interface 400), the type of the input information can be detected. The input information can also determine which output the method is to provide.

[0174] In other words, the method derives a feasibility mode and / or a feasibility processing mode from the feasibility process parameter.

[0175] The method can decide how to proceed in stage S614. In one example, the decision can be based on the feasibility mode.

[0176] In the case of using an API to input at least one feasibility process parameter, the parameter can be provided under a name in the received data packet. An example of the data packet can be a JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) file with corresponding elements. The feasibility mode can be derived in substantially the same manner as when received through graphical user interface 400.

[0177] In other words, in stage S614, an input mode and / or a feasibility mode of at least one feasibility process parameter can be provided. An entry mode can be formed according to the type of the information of the feasibility process parameter and / or by a combination of the types of the feasibility process parameter. This means that a change in the type of the feasibility process parameter can be translated into a code for the selected mode for evaluating the production process. The type of the feasibility process parameter can be parsed.

[0178] In one example, the feasibility process parameter can be a combination of the target value of the PCF value 402 of the production process for producing the product, the quantity of recycled raw materials as the first measure 403a for influencing the PCF value of the production process for producing the product, and the quantity of renewable raw materials as the second measure 403b for influencing the PCF value of the production process for producing the product.

[0179] Table 1 shows an example of what the encoding by type of feasibility process parameter might look like.

[0180] Table 1

[0181] PCF 402 Recycled raw material 403a Renewable raw material 403b 6KG CO2 / kg 0％ 0％ 1 0 0

[0182] Table 1 can represent the extraction of the graphical user interface 400. At any position where an input is provided in the table, the boolean value "1" or "true" is set. At any position where there is no input and / or zero input can be provided, the boolean value "0" or "false" is set. The combination in Table 1 can indicate that the target value of the PCF is available, the quantity of the first measure is not available, and the quantity of the second measure is also not available. This information written in binary format can correspond to the feasibility mode 1.0.0.

[0183] In other words, the method can derive a basis for evaluating the production process from the input format of at least one feasibility process parameter.

[0184] If only the target value of the PCF value 402 of the production process for producing the product is identified in stage S614, the feasibility mode corresponds to 1.0.0. In this case, in stage S615, the original combination of the quantity of the first measure 403a and / or the quantity of the second measure 403b is determined to meet the desired target PCF value 402. This combination can include the target value of the PCF value 402 and only the quantity of the first measure 403a, or the target value of the PCF value 403a and only the quantity of the second measure 403b.

[0185] If the desired and / or original target PCF value 402 cannot be determined, achieved, or verified, then in stage S616, an alternative combination that is as close as possible to the desired target PCF value 402 can be determined.

[0186] The solution and / or combination that can be verified can be stored in the feasibility response variable.

[0187] If the desired target PCF value 402 cannot be generated by any combination of the quantity of the first measure 403a and / or the quantity of the second measure 403b, the feasibility response variable can be set to indicate that no solution is available.

[0188] If the target value of the PCF value 402 of the production process for producing a product and the quantity of the first measure 403a are identified in stage S614, the feasibility mode may correspond to 1.1.0. In this case, in stage S617, it is verified whether the quantity of the selected first measure 403a can meet the desired target PCF value. The combination of the quantity of the selected first measure 403a and the desired target PCF value may form an original combination. For this evaluation, the production process is evaluated based on at least one feasibility process parameter.

[0189] If the desired and / or original target PCF value 402 cannot be achieved and the original combination cannot be verified, then in stage S618, an alternative combination is determined. Such alternative combinations may include different quantities for the target value of the PCF 402 and the quantity of the first measure 403a. In an alternative example, a valid combination of the target value of the PCF and the quantity of the first measure 403a and / or the quantity of the second measure 403b may be provided in stage S618. That is, more than the identified measures are provided. In other words, even if the feasibility mode requires a combination of a target PCF value and a single measure, the resulting output includes an additional measure 403b.

[0190] The solution and / or combination that can be verified may be stored in the feasibility response variable.

[0191] If the desired target PCF value 402 cannot be generated with any combination of the target PCF value and the quantity of the first measure 403a and / or the second measure 403b, then the corresponding feasibility response variable may be set to indicate that no solution is available.

[0192] If the target value of the PCF value 402 of the production process for producing a product and the quantity of the second measure 403b are identified in stage S614, the feasibility mode may correspond to 1.0.1. In this case, in stage S619, it is verified whether the quantity of the selected second measure 403b can meet the desired target PCF value. The combination of the quantity of the selected second measure 403b and the desired target PCF value may form an original combination. For this evaluation, the production process is evaluated based on at least one feasibility process parameter.

[0193] If the desired and / or original target PCF value 402 cannot be achieved and the original combination cannot be verified, an alternative combination is determined in stage S620. Such alternative combinations may include different amounts for the target value of the PCF 402 and the amounts of the second metric 403b. In an alternative example, valid combinations of the target value of the PCF and the amounts of the second metric 403b and / or the first metric 403a may be provided in stage S620. That is, more than the identified metrics are provided. In other words, even though the feasibility mode requires a combination of a target PCF value and a single metric, the resulting solution includes the additional metric 403a.

[0194] The solution and / or combination that can be verified may be stored in a feasibility response variable.

[0195] If the desired target PCF value 402 cannot be generated with any combination of the target PCF value and the amounts of the first metric 403a and / or the second metric 403b, a corresponding feasibility response variable may be set to indicate that no solution is available.

[0196] If the target value of the PCF value 402 of the production process for producing a product, the amount of the first metric 403a, and the amount of the second metric 403b are identified as inputs in the graphical user interface 400 in stage S614, the feasibility mode may correspond to 1.1.1. In this case, in stage S621, it is verified whether the selected amounts of the first metric 403a and the second metric 403b can meet the desired target PCF value. The combination of the target value of the PCF value 402, the amount of the first metric 403a, and the amount of the second metric 403b may form the original combination. For this evaluation, the production process is evaluated based on at least one feasibility process parameter.

[0197] If the desired and / or original target PCF value 402 cannot be achieved and the original combination cannot be verified, an alternative combination is determined in stage S622. Such alternative combinations may include different amounts of the target value of the PCF 402, the amount of the first metric 403a, and the amount of the second metric 403b.

[0198] The solution and / or combination that can be verified may be stored in a feasibility response variable.

[0199] If the desired target PCF value 402 cannot be generated with any combination of the target PCF value and the amounts of the first metric 403a and / or the second metric 403b, the feasibility response variable may be set to indicate that no solution is available.

[0200] If the target value of the PCF value 402 for the production process for producing the product is not recognized in stage S614, but the quantity of the first measure 403a is recognized and the quantity of the second measure 403b is not recognized, the feasibility mode may correspond to 0.1.0. In this case, in stage S623, the method may determine which PCF value 402 can be achieved using the selected quantity of the first measure 403a. For this evaluation, the production process is evaluated based on at least one feasibility process parameter.

[0201] The possible PCF values 402 using the first measure 403a may be stored in the feasibility response variable.

[0202] In an alternative example, different quantities of the second measure 403b may be checked, and by combining the first measure 403a with the second measure 403b, it may be checked whether a better (e.g., smaller) PCF target value can be achieved. If so, the quantity of the first measure 403a and / or the quantity of the second measure 403b and the target value of the PCF may be stored in the feasibility response variable as an alternative combination.

[0203] If the target value of the PCF value 402 for the production process for producing the product is not recognized in stage S614, but the quantity of the second measure 403b is recognized and the quantity of the first measure 403a is not recognized, the feasibility mode may correspond to 0.0.1. In this case, in stage S624, the method may determine which PCF value 402 can be achieved using the selected quantity of the second measure 403b. For this evaluation, the production process is evaluated based on at least one feasibility process parameter.

[0204] The possible PCF values 402 using the second measure 403b may be stored in the feasibility response variable.

[0205] In an alternative example, different quantities of the first measure 403a may be checked, and by combining the second measure 403b with the first measure 403a, it may be checked whether a better (e.g., smaller) PCF target value can be achieved. If so, the quantity of the first measure 403a and / or the quantity of the second measure 403b and the target value of the PCF may be stored in the feasibility response variable as an alternative combination.

[0206] If the target value of the PCF value 402 of the production process for producing the product is not recognized in stage S614, but the quantity of the first measure 403a and the quantity of the second measure 403b are recognized, the feasibility mode may correspond to 0.1.1. In this case, in stage S625, the method may determine which PCF value 402 can be achieved using the selected quantities of the first measure 403a and the second measure 403b. For this evaluation, the production process is evaluated based on at least one feasibility process parameter.

[0207] The possible PCF values 402 using the first measure 403a and the second measure 403b may be stored in the feasibility response variable.

[0208] In an alternative example, different quantities of the first measure 403a and the second measure 403b may be checked, and it may be checked whether a combination with a better (e.g., smaller) PCF target value can be achieved. If so, the quantity of the first measure 403a, the quantity of the second measure 403b, and the target value of the PCF may be stored as an alternative combination in the feasibility response variable.

[0209] In stage S626, the feasibility response is displayed in the form of the feasibility response variable. This variable may be displayed in the proposal line 405 on the user interface 400. The display may display the results of the determination and / or verification stages S615, S617, S619, S621, S623, S624, S625.

[0210] The feasibility variable may be an indication identifier of the effect caused by at least one feasibility process parameter on the production process. In other words, the feasibility response may indicate whether a specific PCF value can be achieved by a predetermined and / or proposed measure or a mixture of measures. The feasibility variable may also be an indication identifier of what PCF value can be achieved by a specific measure or a mixture of measures. In this way, the PCF value 402 can be corrected, and in particular, the PCF value 402 can be reduced. The existing production process can be checked and / or optimized.

[0211] In another example, an effort to correct and / or reduce the PCF value 402 may be provided.

[0212] In one example, a new product number may be generated for the product with a reduced PCF value. In another example, compared with the product identifier used in stage S611, the product number remains the same, and an additional attribute for indicating the PCF value, such as the "low PCF" attribute, may be added.

[0213] In the claims as well as in the description, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single element or another unit may perform the functions of several entities or items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not mean that combinations of these measures cannot be used in advantageous embodiments.

[0214] Reference numerals

[0215] 101.1…101.n Multiple peripheral computing nodes in a centralized computing environment

[0216] 101.1'…101.n' Multiple computing nodes in a distributed computing environment

[0217] 101 An example of a peripheral computing node among multiple peripheral computing nodes

[0218] 101' An example of a computing node among multiple computing nodes

[0219] 102, 102' Hardware processors

[0220] 104, 104' Memories

[0221] 106, 106' Multiple program code structures

[0222] 108, 108' Communication channels

[0223] 110, 110' User interface systems

[0224] 110A, 110A' Output mechanisms

[0225] 110B, 110B' Input mechanisms

[0226] 112 Central computing node

[0227] 101.1' to 101.n' Multiple computing nodes in a distributed computing environment

[0228] 100' Distributed computing environment

[0229] 101' Computing node

[0230] 103 Distributed cloud computing environment

[0231] 114 Mobile device

[0232] 116 Application program

[0233] 118 Database

[0234] 120 Data storage device and

[0235] 122 Server

[0236] 124 Public Cloud

[0237] 126 Private Cloud

[0238] 128 Hybrid Cloud

[0239] 201 Correction Device

[0240] 202 Production Process

[0241] 203 User Interface

[0242] 204 Processing Device

[0243] 205 Local Display Device

[0244] 206 Database

[0245] Stages of the method for correcting environmental impact parameters S300…S304

[0246] 400 User Interface

[0247] 401 Product Input Field

[0248] 402 Target Value Column

[0249] 403 Measurement Column

[0250] 403a First Measurement

[0251] 403b Second Measurement

[0252] 404 Effort Column

[0253] 405 Proposal Row

[0254] 500 Chart

[0255] 501 Renewable Electricity(

[0256] 502 Bio-methane

[0257] 503 Bio-naphtha 504 Pyrolysis Oil from End-of-life Tires (EOLT)

[0258] 505 Pyrolysis Oil from Waste Plastic Materials (MPW)

[0259] 506 Portion of Bio-methane

[0260] 507 Portion of Pyrolysis Oil (EOLT) 508 Maximum Line

[0261] Stages of the method for correcting environmental impact parameters S610…S627

Claims

1. A method for correcting environmental impact parameters of a production process for producing a product, the method comprises: receiving a product identifier for identifying the product and / or the production process for producing the product; receiving at least one feasibility process parameter; wherein the at least one feasibility process parameter includes at least one of the following: a target value of the environmental impact parameter of the production process for producing the product; and / or a quantity of at least one measure for influencing the environmental impact parameter of the production process for producing the product; evaluating the production process based on the at least one feasibility process parameter; providing a feasibility response; wherein the feasibility response is an indication of the effect caused by the at least one feasibility process parameter on the production process.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the feasibility response includes a quantity of at least one measure and / or a measure of a mixture for achieving the target value of the environmental impact parameter of the production process for the product.

3. The method according to claims 1 and 2, wherein the feasibility response includes an effort value for achieving the target value of the environmental impact parameter of the production process for the product.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the method further comprises: ranking the at least one measure for influencing the environmental impact parameter to show a preference for one measure among the at least one measure for influencing the environmental impact parameter of the production process for producing the product.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one measure for influencing the environmental impact parameter depends on the received product identifier.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the production process is evaluated based on the at least one feasibility process parameter by deploying an environmental property calculation scheme, such as a mass balance calculation scheme.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the production process is evaluated based on the at least one feasibility process parameter by deploying an optimization model.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the environmental impact parameter of the production process of the product is the environmental impact parameter of the production process of a product selected from the group consisting of: product carbon footprint value; wastewater value; emission value; calorific value; and waste incineration value.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the at least one measure for influencing the environmental impact parameter is a measure selected from the group consisting of: using sustainable materials; using green energy; using recycled raw materials; using renewable raw materials; using recycled materials; using end-of-life tires; using mixed waste plastics; using bio-naphtha; and using bio-methane.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the parameters of the production process are substantially sourced from a database (206).

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, the method further comprises: using the quantity of the at least one measure of the environmental impact parameter that affects the production process of the product to control the production process of the product in a factory and / or in a production network.

12. A computer program element having instructions which, when executed on a processing device, are configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

13. A smart contract having instructions which, when executed on a processing device, are configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

14. A device (201) for correcting an environmental impact parameter of a production process (202) for producing a product, the device comprises: a user interface (203) for receiving a product identifier for identifying the product and / or the production process for producing the product; and for receiving at least one feasibility process parameter; wherein the at least one feasibility process parameter includes at least one of the following items: a target value of the environmental impact parameter of the production process of the product; and / or a quantity of at least one measure of the environmental impact parameter that affects the production process of the product; a processing device (204) for evaluating the production process based on the at least one feasibility process parameter; wherein the user interface (203) is configured to provide a feasibility response; wherein the feasibility response is an indication of the effect of the at least one feasibility process parameter on the production process.

15. The correction device according to claim 14, wherein the user interface (203) comprises an API.

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