A master-slave generalized predictive synchronization control for preheating process of multi-cavity hot runner system

As a key component of injection molding,multi-cavity hot runner(MCHR)system faces the crucial problem of polymer melt filling imbalance among the cavities.The thermal imbalance in the system has been considered as the leading cause.Hence,the solution may rest with the synchronization of those heating processes in MCHR system.This paper proposes a’Master-Slave’generalized predictive synchronization control(MS-GPSC)method with’Mr.Slowest’strategy for preheating stage of MCHR system.The core of the proposed method is choosing the heating process with slowest dynamics as the’Master’to track the setpoint,while the other heating processes are treated as‘Slaves’tracking the output of’Master’.This proposed method is shown to have the good ability of temperature synchronization.The corresponding analysis is conducted on parameters tuning and stability,simulations and experiments show the strategy is effective.

Optimization study of station track utilization in high-speed railroad based on constraints of control in random origin and process

Purpose-The purpose of this paper is to eliminate the fluctuations in train arrival and departure times caused by skewed distributions in interval operation times.These fluctuations arise from random origin and process factors during interval operations and can accumulate over multiple intervals.The aim is to enhance the robustness of high-speed rail station arrival and departure track utilization schemes.Design/methodologylapproach-To achieve this objective,the paper simulates actual train operations,incorporating the fluctuations in interval operation times into the utilization of arrival and departure tracks at the station.The Monte Carlo simulation method is adopted to solve this problem.This approach transforms a nonlinear model,which includes constraints from probability distribution functions and is difficult to solve directly,into a linear programming model that is easier to handle.The method then linearly weights two objectives to optimize the solution.Findings-Through the application of Monte Carlo simulation,the study successfully converts the complex nonlinear model with probability distribution function constraints into a manageable linear programming model.By continuously adjusting the weighting coefficients of the linear objectives,the method is able to optimize the Pareto solution.Notably,this approach does not require extensive scene data to obtain a satisfactory Pareto solution set.Originality/value-The paper contributes to the field by introducing a novel method for optimizing high-speed rail station arrival and departure track utilization in the presence of fluctuations in interval operation times.The use of Monte Carlo simulation to transform the problem into a tractable linear programming model represents a significant advancement.Furthermore,the method's ability to produce satisfactory Pareto solutions without relying on extensive data sets adds to its practical value and applicability in real-world scenarios.

CAutoCSD-Evolutionary Search and Optimisation Enabled Computer Automated Control System Design

This paper attempts to set a unified scene for various linear time-invariant (LTI) control system design schemes, by transforming the existing concept of “computer-aided control system design” (CACSD) to novel “computer-automated control system design” (CAutoCSD). The first step towards this goal is to accommodate, under practical constraints, various design objectives that are desirable in both time and frequency domains. Such performance-prioritised unification is aimed at relieving practising engineers from having to select a particular control scheme and from sacrificing certain performance goals resulting from pre-commitment to such schemes. With recent progress in evolutionary computing based extra-numeric, multi-criterion search and optimisation techniques, such unification of LTI control schemes becomes feasible, analytical and practical, and the resultant designs can be creative. The techniques developed are applied to, and illustrated by, three design problems. The unified approach automatically provides an integrator for zero-steady state error in velocity control of a DC motor, and meets multiple objectives in the design of an LTI controller for a non-minimum phase plant and offers a high-performance LTI controller network for a non-linear chemical process.

Reinforcement Learning in Process Industries:Review and Perspective

This survey paper provides a review and perspective on intermediate and advanced reinforcement learning(RL)techniques in process industries. It offers a holistic approach by covering all levels of the process control hierarchy. The survey paper presents a comprehensive overview of RL algorithms,including fundamental concepts like Markov decision processes and different approaches to RL, such as value-based, policy-based, and actor-critic methods, while also discussing the relationship between classical control and RL. It further reviews the wide-ranging applications of RL in process industries, such as soft sensors, low-level control, high-level control, distributed process control, fault detection and fault tolerant control, optimization,planning, scheduling, and supply chain. The survey paper discusses the limitations and advantages, trends and new applications, and opportunities and future prospects for RL in process industries. Moreover, it highlights the need for a holistic approach in complex systems due to the growing importance of digitalization in the process industries.

Chemical simulation teaching system based on virtual reality and gesture interaction

Background Most existing chemical experiment teaching systems lack solid immersive experiences,making it difficult to engage students.To address these challenges,we propose a chemical simulation teaching system based on virtual reality and gesture interaction.Methods The parameters of the models were obtained through actual investigation,whereby Blender and 3DS MAX were used to model and import these parameters into a physics engine.By establishing an interface for the physics engine,gesture interaction hardware,and virtual reality(VR)helmet,a highly realistic chemical experiment environment was created.Using code script logic,particle systems,as well as other systems,chemical phenomena were simulated.Furthermore,we created an online teaching platform using streaming media and databases to address the problems of distance teaching.Results The proposed system was evaluated against two mainstream products in the market.In the experiments,the proposed system outperformed the other products in terms of fidelity and practicality.Conclusions The proposed system which offers realistic simulations and practicability,can help improve the high school chemistry experimental education.

Reduction Process of Blue Tungsten Oxide and its Microcomputer Process Control

Grain size control of tungsten powder is essential for high quality tungsten products. Based on studies on the hydrogen reduction process of tungsten oxide, a microcomputer system is described for reduction process control. The system, now running in Zhuzhou Tungsten and Molybdenum Materials Plant, controls the temperature of the reduction furnace and hydrogen pressure. It also controls a mechanical pusher which pushs the boats charged with blue tungsten oxide into the furnace tubes. Some of the technical problems in the process are analysed.

Formal Reduction of Interfaces to Large-scale Process Control Systems

A formal methodology is proposed to reduce the amount of information displayed to remote human operators at interfaces to large-scale process control plants of a certain type. The reduction proceeds in two stages. In the first stage, minimal reduced subsets of components, which give full information about the state of the whole system, are generated by determining functional dependencies between components. This is achieved by using a temporal logic proof obligation to check whether the state of all components can be inferred from the state of components in a subset in specified situations that the human operator needs to detect, with respect to a finite state machine model of the system and other human operator behavior. Generation of reduced subsets is automated with the help of a temporal logic model checker. The second stage determines the interconnections between components to be displayed in the reduced system so that the natural overall graphical structure of the system is maintained. A formal definition of an aesthetic for the required subgraph of a graph representation of the full system, containing the reduced subset of components, is given for this purpose. The methodology is demonstrated by a case study.

Formalizing the General Plant for Development of Hybrid Process Control Systems

Many process control systems are a kind of hybrid systems. In order to develop a satisfied control strategy, i. e., to make the whole system satisfy some processing requirements, the knowledge of plant is indispensable. This paper proposes a formal model for the general plant for a kind of process control systems. Based on the model, requirements for the system can be specified from goals, and the controller can be designed according to plant based formal approach . An industrial process control system is used to illustrate our models and methods. Duration Calculus, a real time interval logic, is utilized to specify some characters of the model and development of control program for the exemplified system.

Integration Between Enterprise Process Monitoring and Controlling System and Enterprise Application

The relationships and the features of integration between Enterprise ProcessMonitoring and Controlling System (EPMCS) and Enterprise Process Related Applications (EPRA) wereanalyzed. An integration architecture centered on EPMCS was presented, in which there were fourlayers to connect from EPMCS to EPRA: EPMCS, application integration layer, transport layer andEPRA, and there were four layers used to etstablish integration: presentation layer, function layer,data layer and system layer. The frameworks to connect EPMCS and EPRA were designed, thatEnterprise-Independent Model (EIM), Enterprise-Specific Model (ESM) and meta-model to describe thesetwo models were defined. The method to integrate data based on XML was designed to exchange datafrom EPMCS to EPRA according to the mapping between EIM and ESM. The approches are suitable forintegrating EPMCS and systems in Product Data Management (PDM), project management and enterprisebusiness management.

RUN TO RUN CONTROL OF TIME-PRESSURE DISPENSING SYSTEM

In electronics packaging the time-pressure dispensing system is widely usedto squeeze the adhesive fluid in a syringe onto boards or substrates with the pressurized air.However, complexity of the process, which includes the air-fluid coupling and the nonlinearuncertainties, makes it difficult to have a consistent process performance. An integrated dispensingprocess model is first introduced and then its input-output regression relationship is used todesign a run to run control methodology for this process. The controller takes EWMA scheme and itsstability region is given. Experimental results verify the effectiveness of the proposed run to runcontrol method for dispensing process.

Hybrid Neural Network Model for RH Vacuum Refining Process Control

A hybrid neural network model,in which RH process(theoretical)model is combined organically with neural network(NN)and case-base reasoning(CBR),was established.The CBR method was used to select the operation mode and the RH operational guide parameters for different steel grades according to the initial conditions of molten steel,and a three-layer BP neural network was adopted to deal with nonlinear factors for improving and compensating the limitations of technological model for RH process control and end-point prediction.It was verified that the hybrid neural network is effective for improving the precision and calculation efficiency of the model.

Modeling, Optimization, and Control of Solution Purification Process in Zinc Hydrometallurgy

The solution purification process is an essential step in zinc hydrometallurgy. The performance of solution purification directly affects the normal functioning and economical benefits of zinc hydrometallurgy. This paper summarizes the authors' recent work on the modeling, optimization, and control of solution purification process. The online measurable property of the oxidation reduction potential(ORP) and the multiple reactors, multiple running statuses characteristic of the solution purification process are extensively utilized in this research. The absence of reliable online equipment for detecting the impurity ion concentration is circumvented by introducing the oxidationreduction potential into the kinetic model. A steady-state multiple reactors gradient optimization, unsteady-state operationalpattern adjustment strategy, and a process evaluation strategy based on the oxidation-reduction potential are proposed. The effectiveness of the proposed research is demonstrated by its industrial experiment.

High-Order Volterra Model Predictive Control and Its Application to a Nonlinear Polymerisation Process

Model Predictive Control (MPC) has recently found wide acceptance in the process industry, but existing design and implementation methods are restricted to linear process models. A chemical process, however, involves severe nonlinearity which cannot be ignored in practice. This paper aims to solve this nonlinear control problem by extending MPC to accommodate nonlinear models. It develops an analytical framework for nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC). It also offers a third-order Volterra series based nonparametric nonlinear modelling technique for NMPC design, which relieves practising engineers from the need for deriving a physical-principles based model first. An on-line realisation technique for implementing NMPC is then developed and applied to a Mitsubishi Chemicals polymerisation reaction process. Results show that this nonlinear MPC technique is feasible and very effective. It considerably outperforms linear and low-order Volterra model based methods. The advantages of the developed approach lie not only in control performance superior to existing NMPC methods, but also in eliminating the need for converting an analytical model and then convert it to a Volterra model obtainable only up to the second order. Keywords Model predictive control - Volterra series - process control - nonlinear control Yun Li is a senior lecturer at University of Glasgow, UK, where has taught and researched in evolutionary computation and control engineering since 1991. He worked in the UK National Engineering Laboratory and Industrial Systems and Control Ltd, Glasgow in 1989 and 1990. In 1998, he established the IEEE CACSD Evolutionary Computation Working Group and the European Network of Excellence in Evolutionary Computing (EvoNet) Workgroup on Systems, Control, and Drives. In summer 2002, he served as a visiting professor to Kumamoto University, Japan. He is also a visiting professor at University of Electronic Science and Technology of China. His research interests are in parallel processing, design automation and discovery of engineering systems using evolutionary learning and intelligent search techniques. Applications include control, system modelling and prediction, circuit design, microwave engineering, and operations management. He has advised 12 Ph.D.s in evolutionary computation and has 140 publications.Hiroshi Kashiwagi received B.E, M.E. and Ph.D. degrees in measurement and control engineering from the University of Tokyo, Japan, in 1962, 1964 and 1967 respectively. In 1967 he became an Associate Professor and in 1976 a Professor at Kumamoto University. From 1973 to 1974, he served as a visiting Associate Professor at Purdue University, Indiana, USA. From 1990 to 1994, he was the Director at Computer Center of Kumamoto University. He has also served as a member of Board of Trustees of Society of Instrument and Control Engineers (SICE), Japan, Chairman of Kyushu Branch of SICE and General Chair of many international conferences held in Japan, Korea, Chin and India. In 1994, he was awarded SICE Fellow for his contributions to the field of measurement and control engineering through his various academic activities. He also received the Gold Medal Prize at ICAUTO’95 held in India. In 1997, he received the “Best Book Award” from SICE for his new book entitled “M-sequence and its application” written in Japanese and published in 1996 by Shoukoudou Publishing Co. in Japan. In 1999, he received the “Best Paper Award” from SICE for his paper “M-transform and its application to system identification”. His research interests include signal processing and applications, especially pseudorandom sequence and its applications to measurement and control engineering.

Application of an expert system using neural network to control the coagulant dosing in water treatment plant

The coagulation process is one of the most important stages in water treatment plant, which involves many complex physical and chemical phenomena. Moreover, coagulant dosing rate is non-linearly correlated to raw water characteristics such as turbidity, conductivity, PH, temperature, etc. As such, coagulation reaction is hard or even impossible to control satisfactorily by conventional methods. Based on neural network and rule models, an expert system for determining the optimum chemical dosage rate is developed and used in a water treatment work, and the results of actual runs show that in the condition of satisfying the demand of drinking water quality, the usage of coagulant is lowered.

Dynamic optimization of 1,3-propanediol fermentation process:A switched dynamical system approach

This paper considers a dynamic optimization problem(DOP)of 1,3-propanediol fermentation process(1,3-PFP).Our main contributions are as follows.Firstly,the DOP of 1,3-PFP is modeled as an optimal control problem of switched dynamical systems.Unlike the existing switched dynamical system optimal control problem,the state-dependent switching method is applied to design the switching rule.Then,in order to obtain the numerical solution,by introducing a discrete-valued function and using a relaxation technique,this problem is transformed into a nonlinear parameter optimization problem(NPOP).Although the gradient-based algorithm is very efficient for solving NPOPs,the existing algorithm is always trapped in a local minimum for such problems with multiple local minima.Next,in order to overcome this challenge,a gradient-based random search algorithm(GRSA)is proposed based on an improved gradient-based algorithm(IGA)and a novel random search algorithm(NRSA),which cannot usually be trapped in a local minimum.The convergence results are also established,and show that the GRSA is globally convergent.Finally,a DOP of 1,3-PFP is provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the GRSA proposed by this paper.

Membrane Crystallization for Process Intensification and Control:A Review

Crystallization is a fundamental separation technology used for the production of particulate solids.Accurate nucleation and growth process control are vitally important but difficult.A novel controlling technology that can simultaneously intensify the overall crystallization process remains a significant challenge.Membrane crystallization(MCr),which has progressed significantly in recent years,is a hybrid technology platform with great potential to address this goal.This review illustrates the basic concepts of MCr and its promising applications for crystallization control and process intensification,including a state-of-the-art review of key MCr-utilized membrane materials,process control mechanisms,and optimization strategies based on diverse hybrid membranes and crystallization processes.Finally,efforts to promote MCr technology to industrial use,unexplored issues,and open questions to be addressed are outlined.

Situation and Developing Trend of Rare-Earth Countercurrent Extraction Processes Control

On the basis of the description of the rare-earth countercurrent extraction process, the on-line detecting method and equipments of rare-earth elements and the application in the process of the rare-earth countercurrent extraction are summarized. The procedure simulation of the computer, the automation control method and its current application are also mentioned in the process of rare-earth countercurrent extraction. The method of soft sensor is proposed. Optimal control method based on object-oriented rare-earth countercurrent extraction process and integrated automation system composed of process management system and process control system are presented, which are the developing direction of the automation of rare-earth countercurrent extraction process.

ADVANCED QUALITY CONCEPTS AND COMPOSITE RELIABILITY THROUGH STATISTICALPROCESS CONTROL

The physical properties of thermosetting resins and resin based composites may be influenced by changes in any one of the mang formulating or process related variables involved in their manufacture. When resins and composite materials are required to perform in aggressive environments, reliable and predicable performance is essential and therefore these materials must be prepared and tested in accorkance with a strictquality plan. This paper outlines the elements of statistical process control (S.P.C.)as it may be applied to non-metallic materials and discusses the concept of Capability Index (Cp).

Proportion integral-type active disturbance rejection generalized predictive control for distillation process based on grey wolf optimization parameter tuning

The high-purity distillation column system is strongly nonlinear and coupled,which makes it difficult to control.Active disturbance rejection control(ADRC)has been widely used in distillation systems,but it has limitations in controlling distillation systems with large time delays since ADRC employs ESO and feedback control law to estimate the total disturbance of the system without considering the large time delays.This paper designs a proportion integral-type active disturbance rejection generalized predictive control(PI-ADRGPC)algorithm to control the distillation column system with large time delay.It replaces the PD controller in ADRC with a proportion integral-type generalized predictive control(PI-GPC),thereby improving the performance of control systems with large time delays.Since the proposed controller has many parameters and is difficult to tune,this paper proposes to use the grey wolf optimization(GWO)to tune these parameters,whose structure can also be used by other intelligent optimization algorithms.The performance of GWO tuned PI-ADRGPC is compared with the control performance of GWO tuned ADRC method,multi-verse optimizer(MVO)tuned PI-ADRGPC and MVO tuned ADRC.The simulation results show that the proposed strategy can track reference well and has a good disturbance rejection performance.

Compared Insights on Machine-Learning Anomaly Detection for Process Control Feature

Anomaly detection is becoming increasingly significant in industrial cyber security,and different machine-learning algorithms have been generally acknowledged as various effective intrusion detection engines to successfully identify cyber attacks.However,different machine-learning algorithms may exhibit their own detection effects even if they analyze the same feature samples.As a sequence,after developing one feature generation approach,the most effective and applicable detection engines should be desperately selected by comparing distinct properties of each machine-learning algorithm.Based on process control features generated by directed function transition diagrams,this paper introduces five different machine-learning algorithms as alternative detection engines to discuss their matching abilities.Furthermore,this paper not only describes some qualitative properties to compare their advantages and disadvantages,but also gives an in-depth and meticulous research on their detection accuracies and consuming time.In the verified experiments,two attack models and four different attack intensities are defined to facilitate all quantitative comparisons,and the impacts of detection accuracy caused by the feature parameter are also comparatively analyzed.All experimental results can clearly explain that SVM(Support Vector Machine)and WNN(Wavelet Neural Network)are suggested as two applicable detection engines under differing cases.