OPERATOR GUIDANCE-SYSTEM FOR INDUSTRIAL-PLANT SUPERVISION

In this paper we present monitoring, diagnosis and optimization in the Ash Control Model (AshMod), a knowledge-based operator guidance syste m (OGS) in the coal washing domain. AshMod assists the operator in mon itoring the plant, performing fault diagnosis, and in plant optimizati on. It assists the operators in maximizing clean coal yield while keep ing ash (impurity) content within acceptable limits. AshMod performs d eep reasoning through the use of knowledge models that capture purpose , function, structure, behaviour and heuristics. Knowledge validation and maintenance is facilitated through the use of graphical object-ori ented knowledge models. AshMod has been developed for the B&C coal was hing plants operated by Broken Hill Proprietary Limited (BHP) at Port Kembla, Australia (The Broken Hill Proprietary Company Limited, Home P age, http://www.bhp.com.au/; BHP, 1995) Owing to our focus on generali ty and reuse during the development of this OGS, we expect that much o f AshMod can be reused in future OGS developments in BHP operated coal washeries, sinter plants, blast furnaces, coke ovens etc. AshMod is c urrently undergoing offline testing at the coal washing plants. (C) 19 97 Elsevier Science Ltd.