QUALITATIVE DECISION-SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR COLD BOX OPERATION

A qualitative decision support system was developed for reasoning on c old box separation process. The qualitative effects from the manipulat ion of variables were identified from numerical simulation data. The q ualitative relations were expressed as binary or ternary qualitative r elations by using sign algebra. Two approaches to qualitative modellin g were compared. The direct method is more straightforward and results to a compact model. The linear synthesis method is systematic but dif ficult to apply except in simple cases. The recommended procedure is t he combination of these methods.