研究主題
1. Process Synthesis and Design
Our researches are mostly concerned with the design of optimal structures for water-using networks, heat recovery and utility systems in chemical processes. In recent years, we are also interested in developing:
(1) design and maintenance strategies for control and instrumentation systems in industrial plants
(2) process integration methods for waste minimization and cleaner production and
(3) optimal scheduling strategies for batch azeotropic distillation networks.
2. Process Safety Assessment
The main thrust of our effort is to automate several widely-adopted safety assessment procedures. We have successfully integrated FTA/FMEA/HAZOP into a digraph-based generic software. Recently, we also have developed mathematical programs for designing multi-layer protective systems with optimal maintenance schedules.
3. Fault Detection and Diagnosis
These issues are critical in enhancing operational safety in chemical plants. Our interests are diversified, e.g.
(1) the application of EKF, neural network, fuzzy logic and digraph in fault diagnosis
(2) the synthesis of optimal alarm logics
(3) the development of multi-variate run rules for statistical process control, etc.
4. Batch Operations
It is our objective to develop a systematic approach to automatically generate the optimal schedule of operation steps (under normal or abnormal conditions) so as to achieve one or more specific production goal in any batch process. In a related study, we have developed test plans on the basis of discrete-event system (DES) theory in order to enhance diagnostic performance.
5. Supply Chain Management
The management of a large network of interconnected production and transportation units is an important issue for the petrochemical industries. In recent years, we have developed a generic mixed-integer linear program (MILP) to synthesize the best multi-period planning strategy for any given petroleum supply chain to satisfy the specified supplies and demands.