Intelligent topology analyzer for improved plant operation

Almost all process engineering practices are tightly linked with process topology. In order to support plant life cycle activities, it is essential to provide intelligent topology analyzer that can intelligently partition plant topology and define topology areas for the different plant operation tasks and activities. This paper presents design of intelligent plant topology analyzer which is integrated with plant automation systems, and used to support the different operational views. The proposed topology analyzer is based on robust plant process modeling methodology, called POOM, or plant/process object oriented modeling methodology, which is used to model process design and plant topology. Plant domain knowledge structure is proposed and used to analyze the underlying plant topology in view of various engineering requirements, i.e. operation design and safety management. Different views for plant topology analysis are explained using HDS plant process as a case study.