Abstract: A method includes receiving information associated with operation of multiple pieces of industrial equipment at multiple sites. The multiple pieces of industrial equipment are of a same or similar type, and the information represents different types of data including operational data associated with the multiple pieces of industrial equipment and text-based data associated with the multiple pieces of industrial equipment. The method also includes analyzing the information to identify correlations in the information associated with one or more conditions involving the pieces of industrial equipment. The method further includes, based on the analyzing, generating one or more monitoring rules or routines to be used to identify the one or more conditions. The multiple pieces of industrial equipment could include machines with rotating components, machines with heat transfer equipment, or general process equipment.

Abstract: A method includes identifying a first steady-state gain associated with a relationship between a characteristic of a furnace and a setpoint used by a controller that is configured to control the characteristic of the furnace, The first steady-state gain is identified using data collected when the furnace is not suffering from flooding. The method also includes identifying a second steady-state gain associated with the relationship during operation of the furnace. The method further includes comparing the first and second steady-state gains and identifying actual or potential flooding of the furnace based on the comparison.

Abstract: A method includes receiving information identifying one or more power constraint violations in a hierarchy of computing devices. The hierarchy has multiple levels, and the computing devices are grouped into different collections in one or more levels of the hierarchy. The one or more power constraint violations are associated with at least one of the levels. The method also includes classifying each power constraint violation by identifying, for each power constraint violation, one or more of the computing devices that potentially contribute to that power constraint violation. In addition, the method includes resolving the one or more power constraint violations by throttling power consumption of at least one of the one or more computing devices identified as potentially contributing to the one or more power constraint violations.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining first information associated with control of multiple computing devices, where the first information relates to possible changes to processing tasks performed by the computing devices. The method also includes obtaining second information associated with building infrastructure operations performed by one or more building systems of one or more buildings that house the computing devices. The method further includes identifying one or more changes to one or more of the computing devices using the first and second information. In addition, the method includes outputting third information identifying the one or more changes.

Abstract: A method includes identifying a first steady-state gain associated with a relationship between a characteristic of a furnace and a setpoint used by a controller that is configured to control the characteristic of the furnace, The first steady-state gain is identified using data collected when the furnace is not suffering from flooding. The method also includes identifying a second steady-state gain associated with the relationship during operation of the furnace. The method further includes comparing the first and second steady-state gains and identifying actual or potential flooding of the furnace based on the comparison.

Abstract: A method includes generating a model associated with cross-directional fiber orientation of a web, which includes identifying spatial frequency characteristics of a fiber orientation (FO) process. The method also includes providing the model for control of the FO process. Generating the model could include performing a spatial impulse test of the FO process, and long wavelength responses of the FO process can be identified by performing a spatial long wavelength test of the FO process or by retrieving information from a historical database. Actuator edge padding can be applied to the model in order to generate a controller model. A controller can be used to control the process based on the controller model. At least one parameter of the controller model can be dynamically adjusted during operation of the controller. The controller can change average fiber orientation angle profiles and twist profiles by only adjusting slice lip actuators in a headbox.

Abstract: A method includes identifying demand for computing resources provided by multiple computing devices and identifying operating states or modes for the computing devices based on the demand using a multivariable controller. The multivariable controller is configured to determine how to alter multiple manipulated variables in order to create changes to multiple controlled variables. The multiple manipulated variables include the operating states or modes of the computing devices, and the multiple controlled variables include a power consumption of the computing devices and a response time of the computing devices. Each of the computing devices could include one or more processing units, and each of the computing devices or processing units could be configured to selectively operate in one of the operating states or modes. The method could also include generating a profile identifying a number of computing devices or processing units to operate in each of the operating states or modes.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining first information associated with control of multiple computing devices, where the first information relates to possible changes to processing tasks performed by the computing devices. The method also includes obtaining second information associated with building infrastructure operations performed by one or more building systems of one or more buildings that house the computing devices. The method further includes identifying one or more changes to one or more of the computing devices using the first and second information. In addition, the method includes outputting third information identifying the one or more changes.

Abstract: A method includes receiving information associated with industrial equipment from multiple data sources. The information includes different types of information related to the industrial equipment and is received from at least two different types of data sources. The method also includes executing exploratory analysis routines using at least some of the received information and generating one or more displays identifying results of the exploratory analysis routines. At least one of the exploratory analysis routines uses key performance indicator (KPI) data associated with the industrial equipment. At least one of the exploratory analysis routines includes logic defined by at least one user associated with the industrial equipment and uses data that is retrieved based on input from the at least one user.

Abstract: A method includes identifying costs associated with different outcomes of a failure prediction algorithm. The algorithm is configured to predict one or more faults with at least one piece of industrial equipment. The different outcomes include both successful and unsuccessful predictions by the algorithm. The method also includes identifying a threshold value for the algorithm using the costs, where the threshold value is used by the failure prediction algorithm to identify whether maintenance of the at least one piece of industrial equipment is needed. The method further includes providing the threshold value to the algorithm. The threshold value is selected such that a net positive economic benefit is obtained from use of the threshold value with the failure prediction algorithm. In addition, the method can include generating a signal indicating whether maintenance is needed based on a comparison of an indicator value calculated using the algorithm and the threshold value.

Abstract: A method includes identifying a statistical performance of a monitoring rule associated with an asset monitoring system. The monitoring rule includes logic configured to identify one or more faults with at least one asset, and the statistical performance includes an effectiveness of the monitoring rule in identifying the one or more faults. The method also includes identifying an economic performance of the monitoring rule, where the economic performance is based on costs associated with different outcomes of the monitoring rule. The method further includes updating or replacing the monitoring rule based on the economic performance.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining at least one statistical model identified using data associated with multiple web manufacturing or processing systems, where the data includes process models used to control the multiple web manufacturing or processing systems. The method also includes obtaining one or more machine specifications of a particular web manufacturing or processing system. The method further includes generating at least one estimated process model for the particular web manufacturing or processing system using the statistical model(s) and the machine specification(s). The estimated process model(s) can be generated without step testing of the particular web manufacturing or processing system.

Abstract: A method includes identifying demand for computing resources provided by multiple computing devices and identifying operating states or modes for the computing devices based on the demand using a multivariable controller. The multivariable controller is configured to determine how to alter multiple manipulated variables in order to create changes to multiple controlled variables. The multiple manipulated variables include the operating states or modes of the computing devices, and the multiple controlled variables include a power consumption of the computing devices and a response time of the computing devices. Each of the computing devices could include one or more processing units, and each of the computing devices or processing units could be configured to selectively operate in one of the operating states or modes. The method could also include generating a profile identifying a number of computing devices or processing units to operate in each of the operating states or modes.

Abstract: A method includes receiving information identifying one or more power constraint violations in a hierarchy of computing devices. The hierarchy has multiple levels, and the computing devices are grouped into different collections in one or more levels of the hierarchy. The one or more power constraint violations are associated with at least one of the levels. The method also includes classifying each power constraint violation by identifying, for each power constraint violation, one or more of the computing devices that potentially contribute to that power constraint violation. In addition, the method includes resolving the one or more power constraint violations by throttling power consumption of at least one of the one or more computing devices identified as potentially contributing to the one or more power constraint violations.

Abstract: A method includes receiving information associated with operation of multiple pieces of industrial equipment at multiple sites. The multiple pieces of industrial equipment are of a same or similar type, and the information represents different types of data including operational data associated with the multiple pieces of industrial equipment and text-based data associated with the multiple pieces of industrial equipment. The method also includes analyzing the information to identify correlations in the information associated with one or more conditions involving the pieces of industrial equipment. The method further includes, based on the analyzing, generating one or more monitoring rules or routines to be used to identify the one or more conditions. The multiple pieces of industrial equipment could include machines with rotating components, machines with heat transfer equipment, or general process equipment.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a measurement associated with a cloud point of a biofuel being produced in a refining system. The method also includes determining how to adjust the refining system based on a desired cloud point of the biofuel and the measurement associated with the cloud point. The method further includes outputting a control signal to adjust the refining system based on the determination. Determining how to adjust the refining system could include determining how to adjust an inlet temperature of a reactor in the refining system. The reactor could represent an isomerization reactor, and a heater could heat material entering the isomerization reactor. Determining how to adjust the inlet temperature of the reactor could include determining how to adjust operation of the heater. A model predictive control (MPC) technique could be used to determine how to adjust the inlet temperature of the isomerization reactor.

Abstract: A system and approach for development of setpoints for a controller of an engine or powertrain. The controller may be parametrized as a function of setpoints to provide performance variables that are considered acceptable by a user or operator for normal operating conditions of the engine or powertrain. With each iteration of the setpoints, the controller may be reconfigured to provide more stable and dynamically performant control of the engine or powertrain. The present system and approach may automate a previously labor intensive approach for designing setpoints for the controller.

Abstract: A method includes generating a model associated with cross-directional fiber orientation of a web, which includes identifying spatial frequency characteristics of a fiber orientation (FO) process. The method also includes providing the model for control of the FO process. Generating the model could include performing a spatial impulse test of the FO process, and long wavelength responses of the FO process can be identified by performing a spatial long wavelength test of the FO process or by retrieving information from a historical database. Actuator edge padding can be applied to the model in order to generate a controller model. A controller can be used to control the process based on the controller model. At least one parameter of the controller model can be dynamically adjusted during operation of the controller. The controller can change average fiber orientation angle profiles and twist profiles by only adjusting slice lip actuators in a headbox.

Abstract: A method includes generating a model associated with cross-directional fiber orientation of a web, which includes identifying spatial frequency characteristics of a fiber orientation (FO) process. The method also includes providing the model for control of the FO process. Generating the model could include performing a spatial impulse test of the FO process, and long wavelength responses of the FO process can be identified by performing a spatial long wavelength test of the FO process or by retrieving information from a historical database. Actuator edge padding can be applied to the model in order to generate a controller model. A controller can be used to control the process based on the controller model. At least one parameter of the controller model can be dynamically adjusted during operation of the controller. The controller can change average fiber orientation angle profiles and twist profiles by only adjusting slice lip actuators in a headbox.

Abstract: A system and approach for development of setpoints for a controller of an engine or powertrain. The controller may be parametrized as a function of setpoints to provide performance variables that are considered acceptable by a user or operator for normal operating conditions of the engine or powertrain. With each iteration of the setpoints, the controller may be reconfigured to provide more stable and dynamically performant control of the engine or powertrain. The present system and approach may automate a previously labor intensive approach for designing setpoints for the controller.