Process Alarm Filtering and Prioritization for Nuisance Alarm Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional process controllers and computer processors are overwhelmed by excessive and redundant alarms in complex systems, hindering effective alarm analysis and management due to the generation of numerous nuisance alarms.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that receives alarm information, generates alarm event modalities, filters and prioritizes alarms, and implements automated responses to reduce the number of nuisance alarms by comparing them to historical data and identifying patterns, thereby reducing the need for extensive human intervention and manual analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional process controllers are used to monitor complex processes, then complete alarm coverage is achieved, but the number of nuisance alarms increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple alarm signals into a single consolidated alarm event. When multiple sensors detect related conditions (e.g., temperature, pressure, flow changes all indicating the same process deviation), the system merges these into one alarm with a unified priority level, reducing the total number of alarms while maintaining comprehensive monitoring coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a universal alarm processing framework that handles different types of alarm conditions through a common modality classification system. By defining general alarm event modalities that can categorize various specific alarm conditions, the system reduces the need for separate handling of each alarm type, thereby reducing overall alarm volume while maintaining reliability.
2Loss of information
If all alarm information is processed and analyzed, then complete situation awareness is achieved, but the processing load on controllers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different processing depths to different alarm conditions based on their local characteristics. High-priority alarms with critical modalities receive detailed analysis and immediate attention, while low-priority alarms with non-critical modalities receive streamlined processing. This localized quality approach ensures complete information is available where needed while reducing processing load for routine conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs partial processing of alarm information by applying modality-based filtering that processes only the essential characteristics of each alarm rather than complete analysis of all parameters. This partial action approach maintains sufficient situation awareness while significantly reducing the processing load on controllers.
3Measurement precision
If manual alarm analysis and prioritization are performed, then accurate alarm management is achieved, but the time and labor costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service alarm prioritization by automatically analyzing alarm conditions and assigning priority levels based on pre-defined modality criteria. The alarm management system evaluates each alarm event's characteristics, compares them against established modalities, and autonomously determines priority without requiring manual intervention, thereby maintaining accuracy while eliminating time and labor costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors alarm patterns and refines modality classifications based on observed data. This feedback loop enables the system to improve its prioritization accuracy over time while maintaining automated operation, reducing both manual time investment and preserving measurement precision.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Certain embodiments of the disclosure may include systems and methods for process alarm reduction. According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, a method 300 is provided for process alarm reduction. The method 300 can include generating 310 at least one alarm event modality based at least in part on the received alarm information or alarm events; filtering 315 the received alarm information or alarm events using the at least one alarm event modality; and prioritizing 320 at least a portion of the filtered alarm information or alarm events.