Chemical Plant Production Prediction Using Sensor Data Filtering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Chemical plants face challenges in accurately predicting production rates of chemical products in real-time due to the complexity and chaotic nature of their processes, making it difficult to establish deterministic simulative models using traditional methods, even with extensive sensor data.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of machine learning algorithms that utilize historical production and sensor data to develop predictive models, such as the Production Index (PI) model, which interpolates and filters data to provide accurate real-time predictions by identifying correlations between sensor parameters and production rates, and optimizes controllable parameters for maximizing production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional simulative techniques are used to predict production data, then the model can be established based on physical principles, but the prediction accuracy is insufficient due to the complexity and chaotic nature of chemical plant processes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprediction accuracyVSAvoidmodel complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional physics-based simulative models with machine learning algorithms. Instead of using deterministic physical equations to model chemical plant processes, the system employs data-driven approaches including neural networks, support vector machines, and random forests to predict production data, achieving higher accuracy without requiring explicit physical model formulation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the modeling approach by changing from fixed physical parameters in traditional models to adaptive learned parameters in machine learning models. The system continuously learns optimal parameters from historical data, allowing the model to adapt to changing plant conditions and improve prediction reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If extensive sensor data is collected to improve prediction accuracy, then more information is available for modeling, but the data contains noise and abnormalities that reduce prediction quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata qualityVSAvoidsignal-to-noise ratio
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes noise and abnormality components from sensor data before feeding it into prediction models. Data preprocessing steps include outlier detection, noise filtering, and validation mechanisms that separate useful signal from harmful noise, improving the quality of input data for machine learning algorithms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediary data processing layers between raw sensor data and prediction models. These intermediaries include data cleaning modules, normalization layers, and feature selection mechanisms that mediate the transformation of raw data into high-quality input features, enhancing prediction accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If many sensor parameters are used in the predictive model, then the model captures more process variables, but the computational complexity and data processing requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprediction accuracyVSAvoidcomputational time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the large set of sensor parameters into relevant and irrelevant groups using feature selection techniques. Machine learning algorithms identify and retain only the most influential parameters for prediction, discarding redundant features. This segmentation reduces computational complexity while maintaining prediction accuracy by focusing on critical process variables

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11264121B2Real-time industrial plant production prediction and operation optimization
Publication Date: 2022.03.01 ACCENTURE GLOBAL SOLUTIONS LTD
  • US11264121B2 patent drawing
  • US11264121B2 patent drawing
  • US11264121B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Direct measurement and simulation of real-time production rates of chemical products in complex chemical plants is complex. A predictive model developed based on machine learning algorithms using historical sensor data and production data provides accurate real-time prediction of production rates of chemical products in chemical plants. An optimization model based on machine learning algorithms using clustered historical sensor data and production data provides optimal values for controllable parameters for production maximization.