OPERATOR SUPPORT FOR BATCH PLANT-BASED ON EXPERT-SYSTEM WITH REACTOR MODEL

Polymerization processes use two kinds of reactor. One is a continuous reactor and the other is a batch reactor. Both are highly nonlinear a nd unstable. Thesefore safe operation is important. In a polymerizatio n reactor, raw materials and additives are mixed under specified opera ting conditions to produce polymer having desired properties and an op erator must monitor reactor conditions, especially to avoid runaway re actions. In batch processes, many operation steps are required, and op erators have to monitor a number of checkpoints for several processes. Operator support systems, such as diagnosing errors in operation or f aults and monitoring process conditions are very helpful for balancing workload and for safe operation. An accurate and widely supported sys tem is developed based on an expert system with a mathematical reactor model to estimate reactor conditions precisely.