We address in this paper the application of a recently proposed MPC performance monitoring method to a rigorously simulated industrial process. The methodology aims at detecting possible sources of suboptimal performance of linear offset-free MPC algorithms by analysis of the prediction error sequence, discriminating between the presence of plant/model mismatch and incorrect disturbance/state e...

We discuss a Root Cause Analysis (RCA) system implementing a probabilistic approach based on Bayesian inference for adaptive reasoning under uncertainties in industrial process operation. The proposed approach is model based and accumulates the process knowledge within the problem domain, which data is gathered and stored in XML-based information server. The Bayesian networks have been created ...

The reported incidence and effects of bacteriophage infections occurring in the industrial acetone butanol (AB) fermentation processes operated in the USA, Japan, and Puerto Rico during the earlier part of the twentieth century is reviewed. The growth characteristics and solvent-producing ability of a lysogenic strain of Clostridium madisonii isolated from a phage infection in Puerto Rico was d...

The results of a successful implementation of multivariate analysis on multiple fermentations are shown in the paper. To minimize batch-to-batch variability of an industrial fermentation process, multi-way partial least squares (PLS) was used. Eighteen baseline batches from different fermentors were analyzed. After applying diagnostics tools and contribution charts, three batches were clearly i...

This paper addresses practical aspects of the application of the backstepping method to the control of industrial processes. The limitations are emphased and solutions are proposed. The steady-state performances of the backstepping-based controllers are enhanced via the introduction of an integral action in the controller. In presence of non-zero mean perturbations, this modification guarantees...

The Knowledge Base of a Fuzzy Logic Controller (FLC) encapsulates expert knowledge and consists of the Data Base (membership functions) and Rule-Base of the controller. Optimization of these Knowledge Base components is critical to the performance of the controller and has traditionally been achieved through a process of trial and error. Such an approach is convenient for FLCs having low number...

This paper presents a description of an agile testing process in a medium size software project that is developed using Scrum. The research methods used is the case study were as follows: surveys, quantifiable project data sources and qualitative project members opinions were used for data collection. Challenges related to the testing process regarding a complex project environment and unschedu...

We present the design and implementation of a new expert-system “front end” or Design Advisor for Implementing Systems (dais) for use in conjunction with a commercial digital control system environment, e.g., the Elsag Bailey infi 90 System. The objective of dais is to make it substantially easier for applications engineers to make effective use of the broad spectrum of capabilities of this and...

Process improvement in a large-scale industrial environment is a challenge for numerous reasons. Besides others it is difficult to convince and motivate a critical mass of the staff and it is particularly expensive to train a large number of developers and managers. Established Software Configuration Management (SCM) practices pave the way to improve in a more efficient “bottom-up fashion” by p...

Industrial wastewater contains a lot of pollutants and therefore needs special treatment processes. The treatment process may contain mechanical, biological, chemical, physical and physiochemical such as Coagulation – Flocculation process. The goal of this experimental work was to investigate the effects of coagulationflocculation and dissolved air flotation as a hybrid process of industrial wa...