Plant Operation Control Using Device State Attribute Assignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing plant operation management technologies are limited in monitoring and simulating dynamic changes, failing to adequately address internal and external factors such as device aging and varying raw material costs, leading to potential safety and efficiency issues.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus and method that acquires data from plant devices, assigns attribute information indicating device states, and uses this information to manage and control plant operations, incorporating a processor with acquisition, assignment, and operation execution units to provide integrated management and monitoring services.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If monitoring and simulation are performed using previously set items and data, then system stability is maintained, but the system cannot adequately respond to dynamic changes in plant operations and external factors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to dynamic changesVSAvoidsafe operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic monitoring by automatically adjusting monitoring items and simulation parameters based on current plant operation states and external factors. The system transitions from static, pre-configured monitoring to a dynamic framework that adapts to changing conditions while maintaining safety through continuous state assessment and automated parameter adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor plant operation states and external factors, then use this information to automatically adjust monitoring items and simulation parameters. This closed-loop feedback enables the system to respond to dynamic changes while maintaining reliable safe operation through continuous adaptation based on actual plant conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If comprehensive monitoring of all plant devices and factors is implemented, then operational safety is improved, but system complexity and data processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafe operationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the comprehensive monitoring system into modular components that handle different plant devices and external factors independently. Each monitoring module focuses on specific parameters and can be configured based on plant-specific requirements, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive coverage for safety monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a universal monitoring framework that can handle multiple plant devices, parameters, and external factors through a single integrated platform. This multi-functional approach consolidates diverse monitoring requirements into a unified system, reducing complexity compared to separate specialized systems while maintaining comprehensive safety monitoring capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If dynamic adjustment of monitoring items and simulation parameters is implemented, then response to plant changes is improved, but data processing time and computational resources increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoiddata processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary configuration of monitoring items and simulation parameters based on plant operation modes and historical data. By pre-configuring common scenarios and using historical patterns to anticipate needed parameters, the system reduces real-time data processing requirements while maintaining dynamic adaptability for responding to plant changes efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4254110A1Information processing apparatus, plant control method, computer program, and computer-readable storage medium
Publication Date: 2023.10.04 YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP4254110A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4254110A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4254110A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An information processing apparatus (10) comprises a processor (20) configured to acquire, from a device (5a, 5b, 5c) for an operation of a plant (5), data related to the operation of the plant (5), assign attribute information indicating a state of the device (5a, 5b, 5c) to the acquired data, and operate the plant (5) by using the data to which the attribute information is assigned.