Judgment device, judgment method, and computer program

Abstract

To more accurately determine the state of substances to be processed in equipment that uses substances that cannot be individually separated and managed, such as powders or fluids. [Solution] A determination device comprising: a control unit that acquires information related to the operation of a first device in a first region of a target facility that uses substances that cannot be individually separated and managed as substances to be processed; a control unit that acquires information indicating the measurement result of a sensor in a second region from which the substances to be processed move from the first region to the second region in the target facility; and based on the two acquired pieces of information, acquires a peak arrival time which is the time required for the substances to be processed to move from the first region to the second region, wherein the first device is a device that cleans a predetermined device installed in the first region.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a determination device, a determination method, and a computer program.

Background Art

[0002] Regarding products produced through multiple processes, the processing content in the processes may be dynamically changed to meet predetermined criteria for their properties. For example, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, in an automatic line in which a plurality of processes arranged along the moving direction of a workpiece are sequentially subjected to predetermined processing, information storage means that moves integrally with the workpiece is provided, and the detection results of sensors that detect the status of the processing executed in each process are recorded in the information storage means.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, when the workpiece is an individual that is separated one by one, it is possible to process it by the above-described method, but when using a workpiece such as powder or fluid, it cannot be applied. Such a problem is not limited to the workpiece, but is common to substances used in processing such as dyes. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a technology that enables more accurate determination of the state of a processed substance in equipment that uses a substance that cannot be individually separated and managed, such as powder or fluid, as the processed substance.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] One aspect of the present invention is a determination device comprising: a control unit that acquires information related to the operation of a first device in a first region of a target facility that uses a substance that cannot be individually separated and managed as a substance to be treated; a control unit that acquires information indicating the measurement result of a sensor in a second region from which the substance to be treated moves from the first region to the second region in the target facility; and based on the two acquired pieces of information, acquires a peak arrival time which is the time required for the substance to be treated to move from the first region to the second region, wherein the first device is a device that cleans a predetermined device installed in the first region.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is the above-described determination device, wherein the predetermined device is a filter that separates unwanted substances from the substance to be treated, and the first device is a device that blows air onto the filter.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is the determination device described above, wherein the predetermined device is a nozzle for injecting another substance into the substance to be treated, and the first device is a device for cleaning the inlet of the nozzle.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is a determination method comprising the steps of: acquiring information related to the operation of a first device in a first region of a target facility that uses a substance that cannot be individually separated and managed as a substance to be treated; acquiring information indicating the measurement result of a sensor in a second region from which the substance to be treated moves in the target facility; and acquiring a peak arrival time, which is the time required for the substance to be treated to move from the first region to the second region, based on the two acquired pieces of information, wherein the first device is a device that cleans a predetermined device installed in the first region.

[0009] One aspect of the present invention is a computer program for causing a computer to function as a control unit, which acquires information related to the operation of a first device in a first region of a target facility that uses a substance that cannot be individually separated and managed as a substance to be processed, acquires information indicating the measurement result of a sensor in a second region from which the substance to be processed moves from the first region to the second region in the target facility, and acquires a peak arrival time, which is the time required for the substance to be processed to move from the first region to the second region, based on the two acquired pieces of information, and the first device is a determination device that cleans a predetermined device installed in the first region. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] This invention makes it possible to more accurately determine the state of a substance to be processed in equipment that uses substances that cannot be individually separated and managed, such as powders or fluids, as the substance to be processed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a schematic block diagram showing the system configuration of the determination system 100 of the present invention. [Figure 2] This diagram illustrates the principle of peak arrival time. [Figure 3] This is a schematic block diagram showing a specific example of the functional configuration of the determination device 50. [Figure 4] This flowchart shows a specific example of the processing flow of the judgment device 50. [Figure 5] This figure shows the first application example of the judgment system 100. [Figure 6] This figure shows a second application example of the judgment system 100. [Figure 7] This figure shows a third application example of the judgment system 100. [Figure 8] This figure shows a schematic example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device 90 applied to this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the system configuration of the determination system 100 of the present invention. The determination system 100 is applied to equipment that uses substances that cannot be individually separated, such as powders or fluids, as materials to be processed. The equipment to which the determination system 100 is applied (hereinafter referred to as "target equipment") can be any equipment that uses substances that cannot be individually separated, such as powders, liquids, gases, or gels, as materials to be processed. For example, equipment that produces chemical substances by using the above-mentioned materials to be processed as one of the raw materials may be target equipment. For example, equipment that produces chemical substances by using the above-mentioned materials to be processed as a catalyst may be target equipment. For example, equipment that produces products by dyeing or coating workpieces using the above-mentioned materials to be processed may be target equipment.

[0013] The determination system 100 includes the target equipment 800 and the determination device 50. The target equipment 800 and the determination device 50 are connected to each other via a network 70. The network 70 may be a wireless communication network or a wired communication network. The network 70 may be configured using, for example, the Internet or a local area network (LAN). The network 70 may be configured by combining multiple networks.

[0014] The target equipment 800 includes at least a first region 10 and a second region 20. The material to be processed moves from the first region 10 to the second region 20. The movement of the material to be processed is achieved without using a conveying device that moves the material at a constant speed, such as a belt conveyor. For example, in the case of powders, movement can be achieved by a vibrating conveyor, rotary kiln, pneumatic transport, or difference in elevation. In the case of fluids such as liquids and gases, movement can be achieved by pressure differences in piping (generated by compressors or vaporization), differences in elevation, pumps, blowers, etc.

[0015] In the first area 10, a first device 11 is provided. The first device 11 is a device that operates with a predetermined role in the target facility 800. When the first device 11 operates, a change occurs in a specific physical quantity of the processed substance (hereinafter referred to as "specific physical quantity"). The first device 11 may be, for example, a cleaning device that cleans a predetermined space or a predetermined device in the first area 10. Specific examples of such a cleaning device include a blower that cleans a filter (e.g., a soot blower) and a device that cleans the tip of a nozzle that injects a predetermined substance into the first area 10. When the blower operates, a change may occur in the temperature of the processed substance according to the blown air. When the tip of the nozzle is cleaned, a chemical reaction may stagnate and a change may occur in the temperature of the processed substance in response to a temporary decrease or stop in the injection of the substance injected into the first area 10 from the nozzle.

[0016] In the second area 20, a sensor 21 is provided. The sensor 21 is a device that measures a specific physical quantity. The sensor 21 may be, for example, a temperature sensor that measures temperature as the specific physical quantity, a pressure sensor that measures pressure as the specific physical quantity, or a sensor that measures other specific physical quantities. The determination device 50 acquires information indicating the operation of the first device 11. For example, the determination device 50 may receive information indicating the operation from the first device 11 via the network 70. The determination device 50 acquires information indicating the measurement result of the sensor 21. For example, the determination device 50 may receive information indicating the measurement result from the sensor 21 via the network 70.

[0017] The determination device 50 acquires the peak arrival time based on the information related to the operation of the first device 11 in the first area 10 and the information indicating the measurement result of the sensor 21. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the principle of the peak arrival time. FIG. 2(A) is a diagram showing the time change of the specific physical quantity in the first area 10. FIGS. 2(B) and 2(C) are diagrams showing the time change of the specific physical quantity in the second area 20. The time changes of the specific physical quantity shown in FIGS. 2(B) and 2(C) indicate the measurement results measured by the sensor 21.

[0018] When the first device 11 operates, the specific physical quantity of the material to be processed located in the first region 10 changes accordingly. In the example of Fig. 2(A), the specific physical quantity of the material to be processed drops sharply, and the decrease in the specific material quantity peaks at the timing of time t1. Thereafter, as the material to be processed moves toward the second region 20 and the material to be processed located in the first region 10 is replaced, the specific material quantity of the material to be processed in the first region 10 recovers to its original value.

[0019] On the other hand, the material to be processed whose specific physical quantity has changed moves from the first region 10 toward the second region 20. When the material to be processed whose specific physical quantity has changed reaches the second region 20, a change begins to appear in the measured value of the sensor 21. In the examples of Fig. 2(B) and Fig. 2(C), the decrease in the specific material quantity peaks at the timing of time t2. Thereafter, as the material to be processed moves from the second region 20 and the material to be processed located in the second region 20 is replaced, the specific material quantity of the material to be processed in the second region 20 recovers to its original value.

[0020] Thus, the specific physical quantity that has changed in response to the operation of the first device 11 in the first region 10 is detected in the second region 20 at a subsequent timing as the material to be processed moves. Such a time difference is referred to as the peak arrival time and is represented by "Δt" in the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the difference between the timing when the change in the measured value of the sensor 21 satisfies a predetermined condition and the timing when the first device 11 starts operating, ends operating, or performs numerical processing such as its average may be used as the peak arrival time Δt. That is, as information related to the operation of the first device 11 in the first region 10, information indicating the timing when the first device 11 operates may also be used. The predetermined condition regarding the change in the measured value is a condition indicating that the physical quantity has changed sufficiently. This predetermined condition may be, for example, the timing when the amount of change over time becomes zero (the timing when the maximum or minimum value of the specific physical quantity is obtained), the timing when the change exceeds a predetermined threshold value, or other conditions.

[0021] However, if the first region 10 is also equipped with a sensor that measures a specific physical quantity, the peak arrival time may be determined based on the measurement results. For example, the difference between the timing when the change in the measurement value of sensor 21 satisfies a predetermined condition (e.g., t2 in Figure 2(C)) and the timing when the change in the measurement value of the sensor in the first region satisfies a predetermined condition (e.g., t1 in Figure 2(C)) may be determined as the peak arrival time Δt. In other words, information indicating the timing when the change in the measurement value of the sensor in the first region 10 satisfies a predetermined condition may be used as information related to the operation of the first device 11 in the first region 10. The predetermined conditions regarding the change in the measurement value of the sensor in the first region 10 may be configured in the same way as the predetermined conditions regarding the measurement value of sensor 21 in the second region 20 described above.

[0022] The peak arrival time Δt is approximately equal to the time required for the material to be treated to move from the first region 10 to the second region 20. Accordingly, the determination device 50 acquires the peak arrival time at a predetermined timing and determines the state of the material to be treated in the second region 20 based on the latest peak arrival time. For example, if a specific substance is added to the material to be treated in the first region 10, the timing at which the material to be treated, affected by the added specific substance, reaches the second region 20 is determined based on the latest peak arrival time. Based on this, the determination device 50 can determine the state of the material to be treated in the second region 20, assuming that the specific substance was mixed in the first region 10.

[0023] Figure 3 is a schematic block diagram showing a specific example of the functional configuration of the determination device 50. The determination device 50 is configured using information processing equipment such as a personal computer or a server device. The determination device 50 includes a communication unit 51, a storage unit 52, a control unit 53, and an output unit 54.

[0024] The communication unit 51 is a communication device. The communication unit 51 may be configured as, for example, a network interface. The communication unit 51 communicates data with other devices via the network 70 in accordance with the control of the control unit 53. The communication unit 51 may be a wireless communication device or a wired communication device. The communication unit 51 communicates with the target equipment 800 via the network 70, for example. The communication unit 51 may receive information indicating operation from, for example, the first device 11. The communication unit 51 may receive information indicating measurement results from, for example, the sensor 21.

[0025] The storage unit 52 is configured using a storage device such as a magnetic hard disk drive or a semiconductor storage device. The storage unit 52 stores data used by the control unit 53. The storage unit 52 may also function as, for example, a delay information storage unit 521. The delay information storage unit 521 stores delay information. The delay information is information indicating the peak arrival time.

[0026] The control unit 53 is composed of a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memory (main memory). The control unit 53 functions as a delay information acquisition unit 531 and a determination unit 532 when the processor executes a program. Note that all or part of the functions of the control unit 53 may be implemented using hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), PLD (Programmable Logic Device), or FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The above program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Computer-readable recording media include, for example, portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, CD-ROMs, and semiconductor memory devices (e.g., SSDs: Solid State Drives), as well as storage devices such as hard disks and semiconductor memory devices built into computer systems. The above program may be transmitted via a telecommunications line.

[0027] The control unit 53 may, for example, execute an application installed on its own device (judgment device 50). A specific example of such an application is an application provided to the judgment device 50 as a dedicated application for the judgment system 100. Another specific example of such an application is a web browser application. Such an application may be pre-installed on the judgment device 50, or it may be downloaded each time a judgment process is executed. For example, if it is implemented as a web browser application, the judgment device 50 may download and execute the application from a device specified by the web server (for example, the web server itself or another server) when the judgment device 50 connects to a specific web server. The control unit 53 operates according to the program of the application being executed.

[0028] The delay information acquisition unit 531 acquires information related to the operation of the first device 11 in the first region 10 and information indicating the measurement results of the sensor 21. This information may be received, for example, via the communication unit 51. Based on the information related to the operation of the first device 11 in the first region 10 and the information indicating the measurement results of the sensor 21, the delay information acquisition unit 531 acquires delay information, which is information indicating the peak arrival time. The delay information acquisition unit 531 records the acquired delay information in the delay information storage unit 521.

[0029] The determination unit 532 determines the state of the material to be treated in the second region 20 or its vicinity based on the delay information recorded in the delay information storage unit 521 and the content of the processing performed on the material to be treated in the first region 10 or its vicinity. For example, the determination unit 532 determines, based on the delay information, the timing at which the changes that occurred in the material to be treated due to the processing performed on the material to be treated in the first region 10 or its vicinity reach the second region 20 or its vicinity. Then, the determination unit 532 determines the state of the material to be treated based on that timing.

[0030] The output unit 54 outputs information indicating the determination result of the determination unit 532 to another device or person. When outputting to another device, the output unit 54 functions as a communication interface. In this case, the output unit 54 may be configured together with the communication unit 51, or it may be configured as a separate device from the communication unit 51. A specific example of another device is a control device that controls the operation of the target equipment 800 using the determination result. In this case, the control device may, for example, change the operation of the equipment in the first area 10 or change the operation of the equipment in the second area 20 based on the determination result.

[0031] The output unit 54 may be an image display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display when outputting to a person. The output unit 54 may also be an interface for connecting the image display device to the judgment device 50. In this case, the output unit 54 generates a video signal for displaying image data and outputs the video signal to the image display device connected to it. The output unit 54 may also be an audio output device such as a speaker. The output unit 54 may also be an interface for connecting an audio output device such as a speaker or headphones to the judgment device 50. In this case, the output unit 54 generates an audio signal for playing audio data and outputs the audio signal to the audio output device connected to it. The output unit 54 may also be configured to include an input device as a touch panel.

[0032] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing a specific example of the processing flow of the determination device 50. First, the delay information acquisition unit 531 acquires information related to the operation of the first device 11 (step S101). The delay information acquisition unit 531 acquires information indicating the measurement result of the sensor 21 (step S102). The delay information acquisition unit 531 acquires delay information based on the two acquired pieces of information (step S103). Then, the delay information acquisition unit 531 records the acquired delay information in the delay information storage unit 521 (step S104).

[0033] Figure 5 shows a first application example of the judgment system 100. In this first application example, the judgment system 100 is applied to the target equipment 810. In the target equipment 810, a filter tank 110 is used as a specific example of the first region 10, a blower 111 as a specific example of the first equipment 11, a reaction tank 120 as a specific example of the second region 20, and a temperature sensor 121 as a specific example of the sensor 21. Furthermore, a filter 112 is provided in the first region 10.

[0034] In the filter tank 110, unwanted substances (such as dust and particulate matter) mixed in with the substance to be treated are separated from the substance by the filter 112. For example, a bag filter may be used for the filter 112. The separated unwanted substances accumulate in the filter 112. The blower 111 removes the unwanted substances from the filter 112 by blowing air onto the filter 112 at predetermined timings. At this time, the air blown by the blower 111 is at a lower temperature than the substance to be treated. Therefore, the temperature of the substance to be treated in the filter tank 110 drops rapidly at the moment the blower 111 is activated.

[0035] Subsequently, the material to be treated, whose temperature has decreased, moves to the reaction tank 120, taking the amount of time required to reach the peak temperature. When the material to be treated, whose temperature has decreased, reaches the reaction tank 120, the measurement result of the temperature sensor 121 drops below the normal temperature. The delay information acquisition unit 531 of the determination device 50 acquires information as delay information indicating the time from the timing of the operation of the blower 111 to the timing when the decrease in the measured value of the temperature sensor 121 satisfies a predetermined condition, and records it in the delay information storage unit 521. The determination unit 532 determines, based on the delay information, the timing at which the effect of the treatment of the material to be treated performed in or near the filter tank 110 occurs in the reaction tank 120. The determination unit 532 may also determine, for example, the change in quality in the reaction tank 120 (for example, the quality value at each timing) based on the delay information. Yield may be used as a specific example of such quality.

[0036] For example, the determination unit 532 may predict the future temperature of the reaction vessel 120 based on the delay information and the current temperature of the filter tank 110. The determination unit 532 or other control device may control the temperature of the reaction vessel 120 by operating a heating device or cooling device based on the predicted temperature of the reaction vessel 120. Such control makes it possible to maintain the temperature of the reaction vessel 120 at a more appropriate temperature.

[0037] For example, the determination unit 532 may further analyze past data to determine the relationship between the current process values ​​of the filter tank 110 (temperature, pressure, flow rate, etc.) and the quality of the product in the reaction tank 120 after the peak time (quality, impurity concentration, etc.). Using this relationship, the quality of the product in the future can be predicted, and the operating conditions can be modified in a feedback manner.

[0038] Figure 6 shows a second application example of the judgment system 100. In this second application example, the judgment system 100 is applied to the target equipment 820. In the target equipment 820, the first processing tank 210 is used as a specific example of the first region 10, the nozzle cleaning machine 211 is used as a specific example of the first equipment 11, the second processing tank 220 is used as a specific example of the second region 20, and the temperature sensor 221 is used as a specific example of the sensor 21. Furthermore, an injection nozzle 212 is provided in the first region 10.

[0039] In the first processing tank 210, a predetermined substance (hereinafter referred to as "injected substance") is injected into the material to be processed from the injection nozzle 212. Intermediate products are generated by a chemical reaction between the injected substance and the material to be processed located in the first processing tank 210. During this process, heat is generated as a result of the chemical reaction, heating the material to be processed. If the injected substance is continuously injected into the material to be processed from the injection nozzle 212, the temperature of the material to be processed will remain high. If this process continues, the injected substance, the material to be processed, or substances generated by their reaction will gradually accumulate and adhere to the injection port of the injection nozzle 212, causing the injection of the injected substance to become difficult. Therefore, the nozzle cleaning machine 211 cleans the injection port of the injection nozzle 212 at predetermined intervals. During the cleaning period, the amount of injected substance injected decreases or becomes zero. During this time, the heating associated with the chemical reaction decreases or becomes zero, causing the temperature of the material to be processed to drop.

[0040] Subsequently, the material to be processed, whose temperature has decreased, moves to the second processing tank 220, taking the time required to reach its peak temperature. When the material to be processed, whose temperature has decreased, reaches the second processing tank 220, the measurement result of the temperature sensor 221 drops below the normal temperature. The delay information acquisition unit 531 of the determination device 50 acquires information as delay information indicating the time from the timing of the operation of the nozzle cleaning machine 211 to the timing when the decrease in the measured value of the temperature sensor 221 satisfies a predetermined condition, and records it in the delay information storage unit 521. The determination unit 532 determines, based on the delay information, the timing at which the effects of the processing on the material to be processed performed in or near the first processing tank 210 occur in the second processing tank 220. The determination unit 532 may also determine, for example, the change in quality in the first processing tank 210 (for example, the quality value at each timing) based on the delay information. For example, the determination unit 532 may predict the temperature of the second processing tank 220 in the future based on the delay information and the timing of the operation of the nozzle cleaning machine 211 in the first processing tank 210. The determination unit 532 or other control device may control the temperature of the second processing tank 220 by operating a heating device or cooling device based on the predicted temperature of the second processing tank 220. This type of control allows for a quick determination of the effects of cleaning the adhering material, making it possible to operate the heating device or cooling device at an appropriate timing in the downstream processing unit (second processing tank 220), taking into account the time to reach the peak temperature, and thus maintain the temperature of the second processing tank 220 at a more appropriate temperature.

[0041] Figure 7 shows a third application example of the judgment system 100. In this third application example, the judgment system 100 is applied to the target equipment 830. In the target equipment 830, a filter tank 310 is used as a specific example of the first region 10, a path switcher 311 is used as a specific example of the first equipment 11, a dyeing tank 320 is used as a specific example of the second region 20, and a temperature sensor 321 is used as a specific example of the sensor 21. Furthermore, a filter 312 is provided in the first region 10, and a dye dispenser 313 is provided near the first region 10.

[0042] In the filter tank 310, unwanted substances (such as dust and particulate matter) mixed with the substance to be treated are separated by the filter 312. The separated unwanted substances accumulate in the filter 312. The route switch 311 switches the path of the substance to be treated at predetermined timings. For example, in the example in Figure 7, there is a first path 314 flowing from right to left at the top of the figure, and a second path 315 flowing from right to left at the bottom of the figure. In the state of Figure 7, the first path 314 is blocked by the route switch 311. Therefore, the substance to be treated flows through the second path 315 and then through the filter 312. When the route switch 311 operates, the substance to be treated begins to flow through a path that it had not previously traveled. Therefore, for example, if the substance to be treated is hotter than the ambient temperature around the target equipment 830 (such as room temperature), its temperature will decrease as it travels through a path that it had not previously traveled. For example, if the substance to be processed is at a lower temperature than the surrounding temperature of the equipment 830 (such as room temperature), its temperature will rise as it passes through a path it had not previously traveled.

[0043] Subsequently, the material to be treated, whose temperature has changed, moves to the dyeing tank 320, taking the amount of time required to reach the peak temperature. When the material to be treated, whose temperature has changed, reaches the dyeing tank 320, the measurement result of the temperature sensor 321 changes from the normal temperature. The delay information acquisition unit 531 of the determination device 50 acquires information as delay information indicating the time from the timing of the operation of the path switch 311 to the timing when the change in the measured value of the temperature sensor 321 satisfies a predetermined condition, and records it in the delay information storage unit 521. The determination unit 532 determines, based on the delay information, the timing at which the effect of the treatment of the material to be treated performed in or near the filter tank 310 occurs in the dyeing tank 320. The determination unit 532 may also determine, for example, the change in quality in the dyeing tank 320 (for example, the quality value at each timing) based on the delay information. The determination unit 532 may also determine, for example, the change in the concentration of the dye in the dyeing tank 320 (for example, the concentration value at each timing) based on the delay information and the timing of dye input by the dye dispenser 313. Knowing the peak arrival time allows for countermeasures to be taken downstream, such as changing the temperature or dye input rate, when some change occurs in the plant upstream (temperature change, dye concentration change, etc.).

[0044] The peak arrival time Δt may not always be constant in the target equipment 800. For example, the peak arrival time Δt may change depending on various factors such as the production rate per unit time in the target equipment 800, the temperature at that time, and the operating conditions. Even in such cases, the determination device 50 can more accurately obtain the time corresponding to the peak arrival time Δt by detecting a specific physical quantity of the processed substance that has changed in accordance with the operation of the first equipment 11 using the measurement results of the sensor 21. Therefore, the determination device 50 can determine the timing at which the effects of the processing performed in the first region 10 begin to appear in the second region 20 according to the peak arrival time Δt, and can more accurately determine the state of the processed substance in the second region 20.

[0045] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of an example hardware configuration of an information processing device 90 applied to this embodiment. The information processing device 90 comprises a processor 91, main memory 92, communication interface 93, auxiliary storage device 94, input / output interface 95, and internal bus 96. The processor 91, main memory 92, communication interface 93, auxiliary storage device 94, and input / output interface 95 are connected to each other via the internal bus 96 so as to be able to communicate with each other. The information processing device 90 may be applied to, for example, a determination device 50. In this case, for example, the communication unit 51 may be configured using the communication interface 93. For example, the storage unit 52 may be configured using the auxiliary storage device 94. Also, the control unit 53 may be configured using the processor 91 and the main memory 92.

[0046] (modified version) The determination device 50 may be implemented using multiple information processing devices. For example, the determination device 50 may be implemented using a device such as a cloud. For example, in the determination device 50, the storage unit 52 and the control unit 53 may be implemented on different information processing devices. For example, the storage unit 52 of the determination device 50 may be distributed and implemented on multiple information processing devices. For example, the control unit 53 of the determination device 50 may be distributed and implemented on multiple information processing devices.

[0047] While embodiments of this invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments and includes designs and the like that do not depart from the spirit of this invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 100…Judgment system, 10…First area, 11…First equipment, 110…Filter tank, 111…Blower, 112…Filter, 210…First processing tank, 211…Nozzle cleaning machine, 212…Injection nozzle, 310…Filter tank, 311…Path switcher, 312…Filter, 313…Dye dispenser, 314…First path, 315…Second path, 20…Second area, 21…Sensor, 120…Reaction tank, 121…Temperature sensor, 220…Second processing tank, 221…Temperature sensor, 320…Dyeing tank, 321…Temperature sensor, 50…Judgment device, 51…Communication unit, 52…Storage unit, 521…Delay information storage unit, 53…Control unit, 531…Delay information acquisition unit 531, 532…Judgment unit, 54…Output section, 70…Network, 800…Target equipment

Claims

1. The system includes a control unit that acquires information related to the operation of a first device in a first region of a target facility that uses substances that cannot be individually separated and managed as the substances to be processed, acquires information indicating the measurement results of a sensor in a second region where the substances to be processed move from the first region to the second region in the target facility, and acquires the peak arrival time, which is the time required for the substances to be processed to move from the first region to the second region, based on the two acquired pieces of information, The first device is a determination device, which is a device for cleaning a predetermined device installed in the first area.

2. The determination device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined device is a filter for separating unwanted substances from the substance to be treated, and the first device is a device for blowing air onto the filter.

3. The determination device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined device is a nozzle for injecting another substance into the substance to be treated, and the first device is a device for cleaning the nozzle's inlet.

4. A step of acquiring information related to the operation of the first equipment in the first area of ​​a target facility that uses substances that cannot be individually separated and managed as the substances to be processed, The steps include: acquiring information indicating the measurement result of a sensor in the second region from which the substance to be processed moves in the target equipment; The process includes the step of obtaining a peak arrival time, which is the time required for the substance to be treated to move from the first region to the second region, based on the two pieces of information obtained. A determination method wherein the first device is a device for cleaning a predetermined device installed in the first area.

5. The system includes a control unit that acquires information related to the operation of a first device in a first region of a target facility that uses substances that cannot be individually separated and managed as the substances to be processed, acquires information indicating the measurement results of a sensor in a second region where the substances to be processed move from the first region to the second region in the target facility, and acquires the peak arrival time, which is the time required for the substances to be processed to move from the first region to the second region, based on the two acquired pieces of information, A computer program for causing a computer to function as a determination device, which is a device for cleaning a predetermined device installed in the first area.

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