Pipe Selection and Layout Between Modular Plant Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional modular plant design and construction are time-consuming and costly due to the complexity of physical connections between modules, lack of information management, and inefficient resource management, particularly in processes involving chemical and pharmaceutical products, food processing, and electronic component manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus utilizing 3D CAD, RFID, and bar codes to optimize physical connections, manage information in real-time, and efficiently manage resources, integrating modules and pipelines with intelligent pipe selection and arrangement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If custom design and integrated system construction is used for each part of the process, then design flexibility and system integration are improved, but design time, construction time, and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The plant design is divided into independent modules that can be designed, constructed, and managed separately. Each module has standardized interfaces and connection points, allowing parallel development and reducing overall design time while maintaining flexibility through modular reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
Module templates and connection standards are pre-defined and prepared in advance. Pipeline connection information is collected and standardized beforehand, enabling rapid assembly during the design phase without requiring custom integration work for each new plant configuration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If custom design and integrated system construction is used for each part of the process, then system integration capability is improved, but construction cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Standardized module templates and connection interfaces are created that can be reused across multiple plant configurations and industries. The same module library serves chemical, pharmaceutical, food processing, and electronic manufacturing applications, reducing development costs through economies of scale.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses configurable parameters and metadata to adapt standardized modules to different applications without requiring custom design. By changing parameters such as connection types, material specifications, and operational constraints, the same modular framework serves multiple purposes at lower cost.
3Manufacturing precision
If comprehensive pipeline information management is implemented, then connection accuracy and resource management are improved, but information processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates and manages digital copies of pipeline connection information, module specifications, and resource requirements. These digital twins and metadata representations enable automated verification and tracking without requiring complex manual management of physical connection details.
Solution Approach 2:
A standardized information interface and data structure act as an intermediary between diverse module types and the management system. This intermediate layer translates various connection information formats into a unified representation, simplifying processing while maintaining accuracy.
Data Source
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AI summary
An information processing apparatus (1) includes an acquisition unit (51) that acquires pipeline information (22-1) related to pipes (p) that connect a plurality of modules (2) included in a modular plant and construction information (40) including information related to the modules, and a specifying unit (52) that specifies, based on the acquired construction information, pipe information (70) related to a selection and an arrangement of pipelines to be placed between the plurality of modules.