Plant Topology Parameter Planning for Energy and Resource Flow

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods lack an automated procedure to optimize plant topologies for efficient energy, water, and CO2 management, relying on human experts after the process and automation engineering is complete.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method determines design parameters by analyzing plant topology, process models, and data to optimize energy and resource flows, using optimization algorithms and expert input to suggest adaptations such as additional equipment connections and rescheduling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If automated optimization algorithms are implemented to determine design parameters, then productivity and efficiency improve, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptimization speedVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-optimization by automatically determining design parameters through optimization algorithms without requiring continuous human intervention. The computer-implemented method autonomously analyzes plant topology, process models, and process data to generate optimized design parameters, enabling the system to serve itself in the optimization process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual expert analysis with automated computational algorithms. Instead of relying on human experts to manually optimize plant design parameters after engineering completion, the system uses computer-based optimization algorithms that process plant topology, process models, and process data to automatically determine optimized design parameters.

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

2Use of energy by moving object

If comprehensive plant topology analysis is performed to optimize energy and resource flows, then energy efficiency improves, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidoptimization time
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs optimization analysis during the design phase before the plant is built or before detailed engineering is completed. By determining optimized design parameters in advance using automated algorithms that analyze plant topology, process models, and process data, the system avoids the need for time-consuming manual optimization after engineering completion, thus reducing overall project time while improving energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If manual expert optimization is performed after engineering completion, then manufacturing precision is maintained, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign accuracyVSAvoidoptimization speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual expert optimization with automated computer-based optimization algorithms. The system maintains design accuracy by using rigorous optimization algorithms that analyze plant topology, process models, and process data to determine optimized design parameters, while simultaneously improving productivity by eliminating the time-consuming nature of manual expert analysis performed after engineering completion.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4586031A1Method for determining a design parameter of a plant
Publication Date: 2025.07.16 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • EP4586031A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4586031A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4586031A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A computer implemented method for determining a design parameter of a plant, comprising: receiving a plant topology of the plant, wherein the plant topology comprises a plurality of process equipments (S10); receiving a process model for the respective process equipment for a respective process step, wherein the process model describes a dependency between an input parameter and an output parameter (S20); receiving process data for the respective process step for producing a product with the respective process equipment (S30); determining the design parameter for the plant based on the plant topology, the process model and the process data (S40); providing the determined design parameter for further processing (S50).