Fuzzy neural network as instance generator for case-based reasoning system: An example of selection of heat exchange equipment in mixing tanks

The early stages of design are characterised by imprecise and incomplete in formation about the features and properties of targeted product or process. Equipment selection is one of the decisions to be taken in an initial phas e of design. Mixing is an example of process where the selection of the equ ipment is practically realised 'by hand'. An application of rule-based or o bject-oriented tools in the selection of mixing equipment encounters many p roblems. The main reasons are the lack of well-structured knowledge and the great diversity of mixing problems. Case-based reasoning constitutes a goo d tool to handle the problems of mixing equipment selection. An instance ge nerator for case-based reasoning system is described in this work. A fuzzy neural network system has been used to produce the cases, The following typ es of the equipment for heat exchange in stirred vessels have been consider ed: plain jacket, plain jacket with agitation nozzles, plain jacket with sp iral baffles, dimple jacket, halfpipe jacket, helical coil, vertical coil a nd vertical plate coil.