Fault propagation analysis by combining data-driven causal analysis and plant connectivity

This paper presents a novel technique for integrating process causality and topology which ultimately enables to determine the propagation path of oscillations in control loops. The integration is performed using a dedicated search algorithm which validates the quantitative results of the data-driven causality using the qualitative information on plant connectivity extracted from a piping and instrumentation diagram. The outcome is an enhanced causal model which reveals the propagation path. The analysis is demonstrated on a case study of an industrial paperboard machine with multiple oscillations in its drying section due to valve stiction.