Apparatus for supporting plant operation

Abstract

To provide an apparatus for supporting plant operation that is allowed to present an alarm in a form easy for an operator to understand.SOLUTION: An apparatus for supporting plant operation, to be used in a plant having one or more appliances and a control device for controlling the one or more appliances, comprises: a plant configuration-diagram storing section that has a plant configuration diagram consisting of the one or more appliances; an alarm gathering section that gathers alarms of the appliances outputted from the control device if the control device determines that an output value from the appliance is not within a predetermined range; an alarm generating section that generates an alarm occurrence diagram displaying on the plant configuration diagram an alarm symbol for showing that the alarm occurred from an abnormal appliance which is the appliance responsible for the occurrence of the alarm; and a display section that displays the alarm occurrence diagram.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a plant operation support device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a plant operation support device (plant monitoring device) that collects alarms (warning information) output when an abnormality in a plant is detected and presents the collected alarms to an operator.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in the above-described plant operation support device, it is desirable that the alarm be presented in a form that is easy for the operator to understand.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a plant operation support device capable of presenting an alarm in a form that is easy for an operator to understand.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, a plant operation support device according to Aspect 1 of the present invention is a plant operation support device used in a plant having one or more devices and a control device for controlling the one or more devices, the plant operation support device including: a plant configuration diagram storage unit having a plant configuration diagram composed of the one or more devices; an alarm collection unit that collects an alarm of the device output from the control device when the control device determines that an output value output from the device is not within a predetermined range; an alarm generation unit that generates an alarm occurrence diagram for displaying an alarm symbol indicating that the alarm has occurred on the plant configuration diagram for the abnormal device that is the cause of the occurrence of the alarm; and a display unit that displays the alarm occurrence diagram.

[0007] Further, in Aspect 2 of the present invention, in the plant operation support device of Aspect 1, in generating the alarm occurrence diagram, the alarm generation unit generates the alarm symbol based on at least one of the alarm occurrence time, the alarm disappearance time, the position of the abnormal device, the alarm occurrence frequency, and the importance of the alarm.

[0008] Further, in Aspect 3 of the present invention, in the plant operation support device of Aspect 2, in generating the alarm occurrence diagram, the alarm generation unit displays the alarm symbol when the alarm occurs and makes the alarm symbol non-displayed when the alarm disappears.

[0009] Further, in Aspect 4 of the present invention, in the plant operation support device of Aspect 2 or Aspect 3, in generating the alarm occurrence diagram, the alarm generation unit displays the alarm symbol on or near the abnormal device.

[0010] Further, in Aspect 5 of the present invention, in the plant operation support device according to any one of Aspects 2 to 4, in generating the alarm occurrence diagram, the alarm generation unit varies at least one of the color and the size of the alarm symbol according to the alarm occurrence frequency.

[0011] Further, in the plant operation support device according to any one of Aspects 2 to 5 of the present invention, in generating the alarm generation diagram, the alarm generation unit varies at least one of the color and the size of the alarm symbol according to the importance of the alarm.

[0012] Further, the plant operation support device according to any one of Aspects 1 to 6 of the present invention further includes a plant state diagnosis unit that diagnoses the state of the plant based on the alarm generation diagram.

[0013] Further, the plant operation support device according to any one of Aspects 1 to 7 of the present invention further includes a plant state prediction unit that predicts the state of the plant based on the change over time of the alarm generation diagram.

[0014] Further, the plant operation support device according to any one of Aspects 1 to 8 of the present invention further includes an alarm generation diagram storage unit that stores the alarm generation diagram in association with event information including the date and time when the alarm occurred, and a search unit that searches for the alarm generation diagram based on the event information.

Advantages of the Invention

[0015] According to the above aspects of the present invention, it is possible to provide a plant operation support device that can present alarms in a form that is easy for operators to understand.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] <Plant operation support device> Hereinafter, the plant operation support device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a plant operation support device 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the plant operation support device 1 according to the present embodiment is used for a plant P having one or more (for example, a plurality of) devices 3 and a control device 2 that controls the one or more devices 3. Note that one control device 2 may be provided for each device 3, or one control device 2 may control a plurality of devices 3. The plant operation support device 1 according to the present embodiment includes an alarm collection unit 10, an alarm storage unit 11, a plant configuration diagram storage unit 12, an alarm generation unit 13, a display unit 14, an alarm generation diagram storage unit 15, a search unit 16, a plant status diagnosis unit 17, a plant status prediction unit 18, and an input unit 19.

[0019] The plant P is, for example, a chemical plant (oil refinery plant) for oil refining. The plant P, which is an oil refinery plant, has, for example, a distillation column 3a, a tank 3b, a pump 3c, and a pipe 3d as the devices 3 that make up the plant P. However, the type of the plant P for which the plant operation support device 1 is used can be appropriately changed. For example, the plant P may be a plant such as a water treatment plant. Depending on the type of the plant P, the type of the devices 3 that make up the plant P can also be changed.

[0020] When an abnormality occurs in the equipment 3 that constitutes the plant P, the control device 2 outputs an alarm. More specifically, when the control device 2 determines that the output value output from the equipment 3 is not within a predetermined range, it outputs (generates) an alarm. Hereinafter, the equipment 3 that causes the alarm (that is, the equipment 3 in which the abnormality has occurred) may be referred to as the abnormal equipment 3A.

[0021] The input unit 19 detects and acquires the operation (input) of the operator. The input unit 19 functions as an interface for the operator to input information to the control device 2. The input unit 19 is, for example, a touch panel type sensor provided on the display unit 14, or a wired or wireless keyboard, etc.

[0022] The plant configuration diagram storage unit 12 has (stores) the plant configuration diagram F1. The plant configuration diagram F1 is composed of one or more pieces of equipment 3 (constituting the plant P). More specifically, in the plant configuration diagram F1, the equipment 3 included in the plant P and their connection relationships are illustrated (see also FIG. 2). The actual positional relationship between the equipment 3 in the plant P may be reflected in the plant configuration diagram F1.

[0023] The alarm collection unit 10 collects (acquires) the alarm of the equipment 3 output from the control device 2. The alarm collection unit 10 outputs the collected alarm to the alarm storage unit 11.

[0024] The alarm storage unit 11 acquires the alarm from the alarm collection unit 10. The alarm storage unit 11 stores (memorizes) the acquired alarm. A plurality of alarms output from the control device 2 may be accumulated in the alarm storage unit 11.

[0025] The alarm generation unit 13 refers to the alarm storage unit 11 and acquires the alarm output from the control device 2. Further, the alarm generation unit 13 refers to the plant configuration diagram storage unit 12 and acquires the plant configuration diagram F1. The alarm generation unit 13 generates an alarm occurrence diagram F2 based on the acquired alarm and the plant configuration diagram F1. The alarm generation unit 13 outputs the generated alarm occurrence diagram F2 to the alarm generation unit 13 and the display unit 14.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the alarm occurrence diagram F2 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the alarm symbol S according to the present embodiment. The alarm occurrence diagram F2 is a diagram in which an alarm symbol S for indicating that an alarm has occurred from the abnormal device 3A is displayed on the plant configuration diagram F1. The shape of the alarm symbol S is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, circular.

[0027] In the generation of the alarm occurrence diagram F2, the device 3 according to the present embodiment generates the alarm symbol S based on the alarm occurrence time (the timing when the alarm occurs), the alarm disappearance time (the timing when the alarm disappears), the position of the abnormal device 3A, the alarm occurrence frequency, and the importance of the alarm. This will be specifically described below.

[0028] First, the alarm generation unit 13 switches the display of the alarm symbol S in the alarm generation diagram F2 based on the alarm generation time and the alarm disappearance time. That is, in generating the alarm generation diagram F2, when an abnormality occurs in the abnormal device 3A and an alarm is generated, the alarm generation unit 13 causes the alarm symbol S to be displayed. In other words, when an abnormality occurs in the abnormal device 3A and an alarm is generated, the alarm generation unit 13 generates an alarm generation diagram F2 in which the alarm symbol S is displayed. Further, in generating the alarm generation diagram F2, when the abnormality of the abnormal device 3A is resolved and the alarm disappears, the alarm generation unit 13 makes the alarm symbol S non-displayed. In other words, when the abnormality of the abnormal device 3A is resolved and the alarm disappears, the alarm generation unit 13 generates an alarm generation diagram F2 in which the alarm symbol S is non-displayed (the alarm symbol S is not displayed).

[0029] Also, in generating the alarm generation diagram F2, the alarm generation unit 13 displays the alarm symbol S at a position associated with the position of the abnormal device 3A. In other words, the alarm generation unit 13 generates an alarm generation diagram F2 in which the position of the alarm symbol S is associated with the position of the abnormal device 3A. Specifically, in generating the alarm generation diagram F2, the alarm generation unit 13 displays the alarm symbol S on or near the abnormal device 3A. In other words, the alarm generation unit 13 generates an alarm generation diagram F2 in which the alarm symbol S is displayed on or near the abnormal device 3A. In the example shown in FIG. 2, there are a plurality of abnormal devices 3A, and correspondingly, a plurality of alarm symbols S are also displayed. For example, the distillation column 3a and the tank 3b are abnormal devices 3A that have generated an alarm, and the alarm symbol S is displayed on the distillation column 3a and on the tank 3b.

[0030] In addition, in generating the alarm occurrence diagram F2, the alarm generation unit 13 varies the size of the alarm symbol S according to the occurrence frequency of the alarm. Specifically, the higher the occurrence frequency of the alarm, the larger the size of the alarm symbol S, and the lower the occurrence frequency of the alarm, the smaller the size of the alarm symbol S.

[0031] In addition, in generating the alarm occurrence diagram F2, the alarm generation unit 13 varies the color of the alarm symbol S based on the importance of the alarm. Specifically, as the importance of the alarm increases, the color of the alarm symbol S gradually changes from cool colors (blue, cyan) to neutral colors (green, yellow - green), and further to warm colors (yellow, orange, red, magenta). In FIGS. 2 to 4, the color of the alarm symbol S is represented by the type (shading) of hatching.

[0032] The alarm occurrence diagram storage unit 15 acquires the alarm occurrence diagram F2 output from the alarm generation unit 13. The alarm occurrence diagram storage unit 15 stores (memorizes) the acquired alarm occurrence diagram F2. A plurality of alarm occurrence diagrams F2 output from the alarm generation unit 13 are accumulated in the alarm occurrence diagram storage unit 15. As shown in FIG. 4, according to the occurrence situation of the alarms in the plant P, the alarm occurrence diagram F2 (alarm symbol S) can change over time. FIG. 4 shows an example in which the importance of the alarm gradually increases and the color of the alarm symbol S changes from a cool color to a warm color.

[0033] The alarm occurrence diagram storage unit 15 according to this embodiment stores the alarm occurrence diagram F2 in association with event information. The event information is information related to the operation of the plant P and the occurrence of alarms, and includes at least the date and time when the alarm occurred. Examples of event information other than the date and time include weather information when the alarm occurred, information on operations performed by the operator on the plant P (equipment 3) when the alarm occurred, information on switching of equipment 3, information on change of production brand, information on failure of equipment 3, etc., but are not limited thereto. These pieces of event information are input into the plant operation support device 1, for example, when the operator operates the input unit 19.

[0034] The search unit 16 refers to the alarm occurrence diagram storage unit 15 and searches for the alarm occurrence diagram F2 based on the event information. The search unit 16 may output the retrieved alarm occurrence diagram F2 to the display unit 14. The search by the search unit 16 is executed, for example, when the operator operates the input unit 19 to give a search instruction.

[0035] The plant state diagnosis unit 17 refers to the alarm occurrence diagram storage unit 15 and diagnoses the state of the plant P based on the alarm occurrence diagram F2. The plant state diagnosis unit 17 may output the result of the diagnosis to the display unit 14.

[0036] Specifically, the plant state diagnosis unit 17 according to this embodiment diagnoses the state of the plant P based on the presence, position, size, and color of the alarm symbol S shown in the alarm occurrence diagram F2. That is, the plant state diagnosis unit 17 may diagnose the presence or absence of the occurrence of an alarm in the plant P based on the presence or absence of the alarm symbol S in the alarm occurrence diagram F2. Also, the plant state diagnosis unit 17 may diagnose which equipment 3 the alarm is occurring in, that is, which equipment 3 is the abnormal equipment 3A, based on the position of the alarm symbol S in the alarm occurrence diagram F2. Further, the plant state diagnosis unit 17 may diagnose the occurrence frequency of the alarm based on the size of the alarm symbol S. Additionally, the plant state diagnosis unit 17 may diagnose the importance of the alarm based on the color of the alarm symbol S.

[0037] The plant state prediction unit 18 refers to the alarm occurrence diagram storage unit 15 and predicts the state of the plant P based on the change over time of the alarm occurrence diagram F2. The plant state prediction unit 18 may output the prediction result to the display unit 14.

[0038] Specifically, the plant state prediction unit 18 according to the present embodiment predicts the state of the plant P based on the presence or absence, position, size, and color change of the alarm symbol S as time changes. For example, in the plurality of alarm occurrence diagrams F2 stored in the alarm occurrence diagram storage unit 15, as days pass, an alarm symbol S that did not exist initially may come to exist, the size of the alarm symbol S may increase, and further, the color of the alarm symbol S may change from a cool color to a warm color. In this case, the plant state prediction unit 18 may predict that the state of the device 3 (abnormal device 3A) where the alarm symbol S has occurred is deteriorating.

[0039] Also, the plant state prediction unit 18 may estimate how the size of the alarm symbol S will change (increase) in the future from the increase rate of the size of the alarm symbol S. That is, the plant state prediction unit 18 may predict the state of the plant P from the change in the size of the alarm symbol S. For example, a threshold value (for example, if this threshold value is exceeded, the device is likely to fail, etc.) may be set for the size of the alarm symbol S. In this case, the plant state prediction unit 18 may estimate the time until the size of the alarm symbol S exceeds the threshold value. Then, the plant state prediction unit 18 may make a prediction that the state of the plant P is normal until it exceeds the threshold value, and the state of the plant P is likely to become abnormal when it exceeds the threshold value. Thereby, information can be obtained that if the device 3 is repaired or maintained by the time it reaches a certain threshold value, the state of the plant P can be kept normal, and it becomes easier to keep the state of the plant P normal.

[0040] In addition, the plant condition prediction unit 18 may extract (learn) an alarm occurrence diagram F2 (alarm pattern) related to a certain sign (for example, a certain device 3 fails). Then, during the operation of the plant P, the plant condition prediction unit 18 may detect a typical alarm occurrence diagram F2 (alarm pattern) when such a sign occurs. And when such detection is performed, the plant condition prediction unit 18 may predict that there is a high possibility that the sign will occur.

[0041] In addition, the plant condition prediction unit 18 may predict the state of the plant P based on the past alarm occurrence diagram F2 stored in the alarm occurrence diagram storage unit 15 and the event information associated therewith. For example, the plant condition prediction unit 18 may previously grasp (learn) from the alarm occurrence diagram F2 when a typhoon came in the past which device 3 generated an alarm when the typhoon came. Then, when the next typhoon comes, the plant condition prediction unit 18 may predict that there is a high possibility that the device 3 which generated an alarm when the past typhoon came will generate an alarm again. Thereby, it is possible to predict in advance operations to be performed on the plant P, such as how to perform temperature control and quality control. That is, the plant condition prediction unit 18 may predict the state of the plant P based on the fact that the alarm occurrence diagram F2 depends on meteorological conditions. Thereby, when a meteorological condition similar to the past meteorological condition is expected, it is possible to make a prediction such as which device 3 should be monitored intensively from the alarm occurrence situation in the past alarm occurrence diagram F2. Note that the event information used by the plant condition prediction unit 18 for prediction is not limited to meteorological information. The plant condition prediction unit 18 may predict the state of the plant P using various information related to the operation of the plant P and the occurrence of alarms described above.

[0042] The display unit 14 acquires the alarm occurrence diagram F2 output by the alarm generation unit 13. The display unit 14 displays the acquired alarm occurrence diagram F2. Further, the display unit 14 may acquire and display the diagnosis result output by the plant condition diagnosis unit 17 and the prediction result output by the plant condition prediction unit 18. Further, the display unit 14 may acquire and display the search result output by the search unit 16. The display unit 14 is, for example, a liquid crystal display device, an organic EL (electroluminescence) display device, an electronic ink display device, or the like.

[0043] In the above example, the occurrence frequency of the alarm corresponded to the size of the alarm symbol S, and the importance of the alarm corresponded to the color of the alarm symbol S. However, the correspondence relationship is not limited to this. That is, the occurrence frequency of the alarm may correspond to the color of the alarm symbol S, and the importance of the alarm may correspond to the size of the alarm symbol S.

[0044] Further, in generating the alarm occurrence diagram F2, the alarm generation unit 13 does not necessarily generate the alarm symbol S based on all of the alarm occurrence time, the alarm disappearance time, the position of the abnormal device 3A, the alarm occurrence frequency, and the importance of the alarm. The alarm generation unit 13 may generate the alarm symbol S based on at least one of the alarm occurrence time, the alarm disappearance time, the position of the abnormal device 3A, the alarm occurrence frequency, and the importance of the alarm. For example, when the alarm generation unit 13 generates the alarm symbol S without considering the alarm occurrence frequency, the alarm generation unit 13 may vary both the color and the size of the alarm symbol S according to the importance of the alarm. Similarly, when the alarm generation unit 13 generates the alarm symbol S without considering the importance of the alarm, the alarm generation unit 13 may vary both the color and the size of the alarm symbol S according to the alarm occurrence frequency.

[0045] Further, the above-described alarm collection unit 10 may output the collected alarms directly to the alarm generation unit 13 without passing through the alarm storage unit 11. In this case, the plant operation support device 1 may not include the alarm storage unit 11.

[0046] Note that the functions of each unit 10 to 19 included in the plant operation support device 1 may be realized by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) executing a program. Alternatively, it is also possible to realize the functions of each unit 10 to 19 using hardware (including circuitry) such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). Or, it is also possible to realize the functions of each unit 10 to 19 by the cooperation of software and hardware. Also, the functions of each unit 10 to 19 may be realized by the same hardware as each other, or may be realized by separate hardware.

[0047] <Processing performed by the plant operation support device> Next, an example of the processing performed by the plant operation support device 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing performed in the plant operation support device 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0048] First, an alarm collection step S1 is performed. In the alarm collection step S1, the alarm collection unit 10 collects the alarms of the device 3 output from the control device 2. The alarm collection unit 10 outputs the collected alarms to the alarm storage unit 11.

[0049] Next, an alarm storage step S2 is performed. In the alarm storage step S2, the alarm storage unit 11 acquires the alarms from the alarm collection unit 10. The alarm storage unit 11 stores the acquired alarms.

[0050] Next, an alarm occurrence diagram generation step S3 is performed. In the alarm occurrence diagram generation step S3, the alarm generation unit 13 refers to the alarm storage unit 11 and acquires the alarm output from the control device 2. Further, the alarm generation unit 13 refers to the plant configuration diagram storage unit 12 and acquires the plant configuration diagram F1. Based on the acquired alarm and the plant configuration diagram F1, the alarm generation unit 13 generates an alarm occurrence diagram F2. The alarm generation unit 13 outputs the generated alarm occurrence diagram F2 to the alarm generation unit 13 and the display unit 14.

[0051] After the alarm occurrence diagram generation step S3, a display step S4 is performed. In the display step S4, the display unit 14 acquires the alarm occurrence diagram F2 output by the alarm generation unit 13. The display unit 14 displays the acquired alarm occurrence diagram F2.

[0052] After the alarm occurrence diagram generation step S3, an alarm occurrence diagram storage step S5 is performed. Note that the order of the display step S4 and the alarm occurrence diagram storage step S5 is not particularly limited. In the alarm occurrence diagram storage step S5, the alarm occurrence diagram storage unit 15 acquires the alarm occurrence diagram F2 output from the alarm generation unit 13. The alarm occurrence diagram storage unit 15 stores the acquired alarm occurrence diagram F2.

[0053] The alarm collection step S1 to the alarm occurrence diagram storage step S5 described above are repeatedly performed a plurality of times at predetermined time intervals. A plurality of alarm occurrence diagrams F2 output from the alarm generation unit 13 are stored in the alarm occurrence diagram storage unit 15.

[0054] After the alarm collection step S1 to the alarm occurrence diagram storage step S5 are repeated a predetermined number of times, a plant state diagnosis step S6 is performed. In the plant state diagnosis step S6, the plant state diagnosis unit 17 refers to the alarm occurrence diagram storage unit 15 and diagnoses the state of the plant P based on the alarm occurrence diagram F2. The plant state diagnosis unit 17 may output the diagnosis result to the display unit 14. The display unit 14 may acquire and display the diagnosis result output by the plant state diagnosis unit 17.

[0055] After the alarm collection process S1 to the alarm occurrence diagram storage process S5 are repeated a predetermined number of times, the plant state prediction process S7 is performed. Note that the order of the plant state diagnosis process S6 and the plant state prediction process S7 is not particularly limited. In the plant state prediction process S7, the plant state prediction unit 18 refers to the alarm occurrence diagram storage unit 15 and predicts the state of the plant P based on the change over time of the alarm occurrence diagram F2. The plant state prediction unit 18 may output the prediction result to the display unit 14. The display unit 14 may acquire and display the prediction result output by the plant state diagnosis unit 17.

[0056] Note that the plant state diagnosis process S6 and the plant state prediction process S7 may be executed, for example, when an operator operates the input unit 19 to give an execution instruction. Alternatively, the plant state diagnosis process S6 and the plant state prediction process S7 may be automatically executed after the alarm collection process S1 to the alarm occurrence diagram storage process S5 are repeated a predetermined number of times.

[0057] <Function and Effect of Plant Operation Support Device> Next, the function and effect of the plant operation support device 1 configured as described above will be described.

[0058] Conventionally, a plant operation support device that collects alarms output when an abnormality in a plant is detected and presents the collected alarms to an operator is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In such a plant operation support device, it is desirable that the alarms be presented in a form that is easy for the operator to understand.

[0059] Therefore, the plant operation support device 1 according to the present embodiment is a plant operation support device used in a plant P having one or more devices 3 and a control device 2 for controlling the one or more devices 3. The plant operation support device includes a plant configuration diagram storage unit 12 having a plant configuration diagram F1 composed of one or more devices, an alarm collection unit 10 that collects an alarm of the device 3 output from the control device 2 when the control device 2 determines that the output value output from the device 3 is not within a predetermined range, an alarm generation unit 13 that generates an alarm occurrence diagram F2 for displaying an alarm symbol S indicating that an alarm has occurred from an abnormal device 3A, which is the device 3 that caused the alarm, on the plant configuration diagram F1, and a display unit 14 that displays the alarm occurrence diagram F2.

[0060] With this configuration, information regarding the alarm is displayed on the display unit 14 in the form of an alarm occurrence diagram F2 that displays the alarm symbol S on the plant configuration diagram F1. Thereby, the alarm can be presented in a form that is easy for the operator to understand.

[0061] Further, in the conventional operation support device, the operation state of the plant P has not been diagnosed or predicted from the visualized alarm information (alarm occurrence diagram). Also, based on the visualized alarm information, it is not possible to know the event when the alarm occurs (for example, the process value falls below the set value), and conversely, it is not possible to know what kind of alarm will occur when a certain event (for example, rainfall) occurs.

[0062] In contrast, the plant operation support device 1 according to the present embodiment further includes a plant state diagnosis unit 17 that diagnoses the state of the plant P based on the alarm occurrence diagram F2. With this configuration, the state of the plant P can be diagnosed.

[0063] Also, the plant operation support device 1 according to the present embodiment further includes a plant state prediction unit 18 that predicts the state of the plant P based on the change over time of the alarm occurrence diagram F2. With this configuration, the state of the plant P can be predicted.

[0064] In addition, the plant operation support device 1 according to the present embodiment further includes an alarm occurrence diagram storage unit 15 that stores the alarm occurrence diagram F2 in association with event information including the date and time when the alarm occurred, and a search unit 16 that searches for the alarm occurrence diagram F2 based on the event information. With this configuration, it is possible to know what kind of alarm will occur when a certain event occurs.

[0065] <Modification Example> Note that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0066] For example, the alarm occurrence diagram storage unit 15 may store the alarm occurrence diagram F2 in association with the detailed information of the alarm. Examples of the detailed information of the alarm include, for example, the title of the alarm, the name of the device 3 (abnormal device 3A) where the alarm occurred, the location of the device 3 (abnormal device 3A), the occurrence frequency of the alarm, the importance level of the alarm, and the like. Then, when the operator clicks on the alarm symbol S on the display unit 14, these detailed information may be displayed on the display unit 14. For example, if the number of alarm occurrences per hour is 30 or more, it may be displayed as information with an importance level of 3, if it is 10 or more and 29 or less, it may be displayed as information with an importance level of 2, and if it is 9 or less, it may be displayed as information with an importance level of 1. Also, alarms that require immediate response may be displayed with an importance level of 3, alarms that need to be noted in the future may be displayed with an importance level of 2, and alarms that are minor and do not require response at the current time may be displayed with an importance level of 1. Furthermore, when the operator clicks on the alarm symbol S, in addition to the above detailed information, the cause of the alarm and the countermeasure method therefor may be displayed on the display unit 14.

[0067] Further, the plant operation support device 1 may include a plurality of terminals that can communicate with each other via the Internet or the like. And the display unit 14 on which the alarm generation diagram F2 is displayed may be provided in a portable terminal such as a smartphone. By displaying the alarm generation diagram F2 on such a portable terminal, an operator can operate the device 3 according to the alarm information (for example, a countermeasure method against the cause of the alarm) displayed on the portable terminal at the location of the device 3 where the alarm has occurred. Further, position information of the device 3 may be recorded in advance as detailed alarm information, and a portable terminal having a navigation function may be used. In this case, the operator can smoothly move to the location of the device 3 where the alarm has occurred by the navigation function of the portable terminal.

[0068] In addition, without departing from the gist of the present invention, it is possible to appropriately replace the components in the above-described embodiments with well-known components, and the above-described embodiments and modified examples may be appropriately combined.

[0069] Each configuration included in the above-described plant operation support device 1 has a computer system inside. And a program for realizing the functions of each configuration included in the above-described plant operation support device 1 is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on this recording medium is read into the computer system and executed, whereby the processing in each configuration included in the above-described plant operation support device 1 may be performed. Here, "reading and executing the program recorded on the recording medium by the computer system" includes installing the program in the computer system. The "computer system" referred to here is assumed to include hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices.

[0070] In addition, the "computer system" may include a plurality of computer devices connected via a network including a communication line such as the Internet, WAN, LAN, or dedicated line. Further, the "computer-readable recording medium" refers to a portable medium such as a flexible disk, magneto-optical disk, ROM, CD-ROM, or a storage device such as a hard disk built into the computer system. Thus, the recording medium storing the program may be a non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

[0071] In addition, the recording medium also includes an internal or external recording medium accessible from a distribution server for distributing the program. Note that the program may be divided into a plurality of parts, downloaded at different timings, and then combined by each component provided in the plant operation support device 1. Also, the distribution servers for distributing each of the divided programs may be different. Furthermore, the "computer-readable recording medium" includes those that hold the program for a certain period of time, such as a volatile memory (RAM) inside a computer system that becomes a server or a client when the program is transmitted via a network. Also, the above program may be for realizing a part of the above-described functions. Furthermore, it may be a so-called difference file (difference program) that can realize the above-described functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0072] 1... Plant operation support device 10... Alarm collection unit 12... Plant configuration diagram storage unit 13... Alarm generation unit 14... Display unit 15... Alarm occurrence diagram storage unit 16... Search unit 17... Plant state diagnosis unit 18... Plant state prediction unit 2... Control device 3... Equipment 3A... Abnormal equipment P... Plant F1... Plant configuration diagram F2... Alarm occurrence diagram S... Alarm symbol

Claims

1. A plant operation support device used in a plant having one or more devices and a control device for controlling the one or more devices, a plant configuration diagram storage unit having a plant configuration diagram composed of the one or more devices, an alarm collection unit that collects an alarm of the device output from the control device when the control device determines that an output value output from the device is not within a predetermined range, an alarm generation unit that generates an alarm occurrence diagram for displaying an alarm symbol for indicating that the alarm has occurred on the plant configuration diagram for the abnormal device that is the cause of the occurrence of the alarm, a display unit that displays the alarm occurrence diagram, Plant operation support device.

2. In generating the alarm occurrence diagram, the alarm generation unit generates the alarm symbol based on at least one of the alarm occurrence time, the alarm disappearance time, the position of the abnormal device, the alarm occurrence frequency, and the importance of the alarm. The plant operation support device according to claim 1.

3. In generating the alarm occurrence diagram, the alarm generation unit displays the alarm symbol when the alarm occurs and makes the alarm symbol invisible when the alarm disappears. The plant operation support device according to claim 2.

4. In generating the alarm occurrence diagram, the alarm generation unit displays the alarm symbol on or near the abnormal device. The plant operation support device according to claim 2.

5. In generating the alarm occurrence diagram, the alarm generation unit varies at least one of the color and the size of the alarm symbol according to the alarm occurrence frequency. The plant operation support device according to claim 2.

6. In generating the alarm occurrence diagram, the alarm generation unit varies at least one of the color and the size of the alarm symbol according to the importance of the alarm. The plant operation support device according to claim 2.

7. Further comprising a plant state diagnosis unit that diagnoses the state of the plant based on the alarm occurrence diagram. The plant operation support device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. Further comprising a plant state prediction unit that predicts the state of the plant based on the temporal change of the alarm occurrence diagram. The plant operation support device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

9. An alarm occurrence diagram storage unit that stores the alarm occurrence diagram in association with event information including the date and time when the alarm occurred, A search unit that searches for the alarm occurrence diagram based on the event information, further comprising. The plant operation support device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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