Production Process Similarity for Accurate Energy Benchmarking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Accurate energy consumption assessment across different industrial production processes is challenging due to varying production processes and numerous influencing factors, making it infeasible to apply a single procedure for assessing energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that determine process similarity between a target and candidate production process based on energy consumption units (ECUs), followed by identifying a candidate production process as a benchmark for energy consumption assessment if the similarity exceeds predefined thresholds, utilizing critical and non-critical ECUs and influence factors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single procedure is applied to different production processes for energy consumption assessment, then the assessment procedure is simple and universal, but the accuracy of energy consumption assessment deteriorates due to varying production processes and influencing factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the energy consumption assessment into multiple hierarchical levels: (1) process similarity assessment based on ECU sequences, (2) detailed energy consumption factor analysis for similar processes, and (3) benchmark identification. This segmentation allows the system to apply different assessment procedures to different production processes based on their similarity, thereby maintaining both universality and accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the assessment parameters dynamically based on process similarity. For highly similar processes, detailed energy consumption factors (such as coal sulfur ratio, production capacity) are considered. For dissimilar processes, only high-level process structure comparison is performed. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction between universal applicability and assessment accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If detailed influencing factors are considered for each ECU in every production process, then the accuracy of energy consumption assessment is improved, but the complexity of the assessment procedure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary process similarity assessment by comparing ECU sequences before conducting detailed energy consumption analysis. This preliminary action filters out dissimilar processes that would not benefit from detailed factor analysis, thereby reducing overall assessment complexity while maintaining accuracy for relevant cases.
Solution Approach 2:
The assessment procedure is made dynamic by adjusting the level of detail based on process similarity results. For similar processes, the system dynamically expands to include detailed influencing factor analysis. For dissimilar processes, it remains at a higher level. This dynamic adaptation reduces unnecessary complexity while preserving accuracy where needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, computer system, and a computer program product for assessing energy consumption is provided. The present invention may include determining a first set of critical energy consumption units (ECUs) involved in a target production process, the pool of the critical ECUs being obtained based on a plurality of reference production processes. The present invention may then include determining a second set of critical ECUs involved in the candidate production process. The present invention may also include determining a first set of non-critical ECUs involved in the target production process, the pool of the non-critical ECUs being obtained based on the plurality of reference production processes. The present invention may then include determining, a second set of non-critical ECUs involved in the candidate production process. The present invention may further include determining the process similarity.