A behaviour classification for integrated process supervision

The paper proposes a classification of system behaviours that allows the generic control methods to be identified and clearly related. It then presents a strategy for integrated process supervision that provides for controlled evolution through the different control regimes. The generality of the strategy is independent of a particular realisation of individual control regimes, thereby allowing AI methods and classical control techniques to co-exist within an integrated framework. The system has been fully implemented on a SUN 3/160 workstation and validated on a laboratory scale process rig. An overview of the results obtained from a scheme utilising a standard three-term controller, a simple adaptive system and fault diagnosis based on a qualitative model of the process rig is presented. The paper then presents the behaviour classification for continuous processes. These are then related to a set of generic control regimes i.e. primary control, adaptive control and fault diagnosis. The structure of the integrated process supervision scheme is given, and its realisation for the control of the process rig is briefly described. Experimental results are given. Remarks on the effectiveness of the scheme and its future extensions are presented