Abstract: Methods, devices, systems and software products for controlling the properties and volume of materials in a tank having at least one inlet pipe and at least one outlet pipe. Based on whether inlet flows into the tank and outlet flows from the tank are equal, either first or second sets of differential equations are used to determine step responses for use in a model predictive control process, and control actions are determined and executed based on the model predictive control outputs. A determination of whether inlet flows and outlet flows are equal or unequal is made at each iteration.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, methods, and computer program products are provided herein. For example, a method may include generating a flow sheet model. In some embodiments, the method includes identifying a first physical storage unit of the plurality of physical storage units associated with the flow sheet model. In some embodiments, the method includes receiving a physical storage unit depletion term for the first physical storage unit and a plant optimization horizon. In some embodiments, the method includes generating physical storage unit depletion data by applying the physical storage unit depletion term and the plant optimization horizon to a physical storage unit depletion model. In some embodiments, the method includes initiating performance of one or more physical storage unit optimization actions based at least in part on the physical storage unit depletion data.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for generating improved, feasible, and optimized pathways for optimizing operation of an industrial plant or component thereof. Embodiments utilize a multi-variate optimization model that may utilize real-time data and any number of available dynamic and static configurations to optimize for multiple optimization parameters. The multi-variate optimization model outputs an optimization pathway, for example including any number of transformation action(s) representing decarbonization step(s), that enable configuration of the plant or processing unit(s) thereof in a manner that optimizes operations of the plant or processing unit(s).

Abstract: Various embodiments described herein relate to management of industrial process optimization related to batch operations. In this regard, an optimization request to optimize an industrial process that produces an industrial process product is received. In response to the optimization request, product spent characteristics for one or more blending components of a batch operation subprocess are determined. Also in response to the optimization request, demand data for one or more feed products associated with the one or more blending components is updated based on the product spent characteristics and inventory data indicative of an inventory level for the one or more feed products. Furthermore, a control signal configured based on the demand data is transmitted to a controller configured for optimization associated with the industrial process that produces the industrial process product.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to constrained emissions control, optimization, and planning. An example method may include receiving operational data associated with one or more assets. The method may include classifying the operational data as first variables and second variables. The method may include generating, based at least in part on the operational data, one or more forecasting models that provide one or more predictions associated with uncertainty of the second variables. The method may include generating, based at least in part on applying the operational data and the one or more predictions to an optimization model, a long-term emissions optimization plan. The method may include generating, based at least in part on the long-term emissions optimization plan, a short-term emissions control. The method may include initiating performance of one or more emissions optimization actions based at least in part on the long-term emissions optimization plan or the short-term emissions control.

Abstract: Various embodiments described herein relate to management of an industrial process in a process plant. In this regard, a status of an order of one or more orders is determined based at least on component spent characteristics. The one or more orders are associated with production of an industrial process product by the industrial process. A flag is set to a first value if the status of the order is a first status. Upon receiving an optimization request to optimize the industrial process with respect to another order, first notification(s) are rendered on a display. Then, the flag is set to a second value if the status of the order is a second status. Further, second notifications are rendered on the display, demand data associated with the orders is updated, and control signal is transmitted to a controller to optimize the industrial process with respect to another order.

Abstract: Various embodiments described herein relate to management of industrial process optimization related to batch operations. In this regard, an optimization request to optimize an industrial process that produces an industrial process product is received. Thereafter, a first time period and an optimization time period are determined to produce the industrial process product and to update industrial process product characteristics. In addition, blending component characteristics indicative of availability of one or more blending components are updated for the batch process. Furthermore, in response to completing the production of the industrial process product, product spent characteristics associated are determined to update demand data for the one or more feed products utilized for blending the one or more blending products based on the product spent characteristics. Finally, a control signal is transmitted to control the flow of the feed component.

Abstract: A method for optimizing carbon emissions and/or energy usage of a site is disclosed comprising: obtaining a planning model for optimizing carbon emissions and/or energy usage of the site at a site-wide model predictive control (MPC) controller; sending at least one optimization request from the site-wide MPC controller to one or more unit MPC controllers; receiving at least one proxy limit value from the one or more unit MPC controllers at the site-wide MPC controller in response to the at least one optimization request, wherein the at least one proxy limit value identifies an extent to which one or more controlled variables controlled by the one or more unit MPC controllers are adjustable without violating one or more controlled variable constraints; and performing site-wide optimization at the site-wide MPC controller using the planning model and the at least one proxy limit value.

Abstract: Constraints are received on initial components and intermediate components. Information is received on the products to be produced including a quantity of each of the products to be produced and a specification that specifies how the intermediate components are to be combined to form each of the products. An optimization is performed that includes the continuous conversion of initial components into the intermediate components as well as subsequent production of the products, subject to the constraints on each of the initial components, the constraints on each of the intermediate components, and the quantity of each of the products to be produced.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for generating improved, feasible, and optimized pathways for optimizing operation of an industrial plant or component thereof. Embodiments utilize a multi-variate optimization model that may utilize real-time data and any number of available dynamic and static configurations to optimize for multiple optimization parameters. The multi-variate optimization model outputs an optimization pathway, for example including any number of transformation action(s) representing decarbonization step(s), that enable configuration of the plant or processing unit(s) thereof in a manner that optimizes operations of the plant or processing unit(s).

Abstract: Constraints are received on initial components and intermediate components. Information is received on the products to be produced including a quantity of each of the products to be produced and a specification that specifies how the intermediate components are to be combined to form each of the products. An optimization is performed that includes the continuous conversion of initial components into the intermediate components as well as subsequent production of the products, subject to the constraints on each of the initial components, the constraints on each of the intermediate components, and the quantity of each of the products to be produced.

Abstract: Various embodiments described herein relate to calculating asset capability using model predictive control and/or industrial process optimization. In this regard, an optimization request to optimize an industrial process that produces an industrial process product is received. In response to the optimization request, asset modeling data is obtained from one or more asset performance management systems for an asset associated with the industrial process. Also in response to the optimization request, one or more real-time operating limits for the industrial process are adjusted based at least in part on the asset modeling data obtained from the one or more asset performance management systems. Furthermore, a control signal configured based at least in part on the one or more real-time operating limits is transmitted to a controller configured for optimization associated with the industrial process that produces the industrial process product.

Abstract: Various embodiments described herein relate to management of industrial process optimization related to batch operations. In this regard, an optimization request to optimize an industrial process that produces an industrial process product is received. In response to the optimization request, product spent characteristics for one or more blending components of a batch operation subprocess are determined. Also in response to the optimization request, demand data for one or more feed products associated with the one or more blending components is updated based on the product spent characteristics and inventory data indicative of an inventory level for the one or more feed products. Furthermore, a control signal configured based on the demand data is transmitted to a controller configured for optimization associated with the industrial process that produces the industrial process product.

Abstract: Constraints are received on initial components and intermediate components. Information is received on the products to be produced including a quantity of each of the products to be produced and a specification that specifies how the intermediate components are to be combined to form each of the products. An optimization is performed that includes the continuous conversion of initial components into the intermediate components as well as subsequent production of the products, subject to the constraints on each of the initial components, the constraints on each of the intermediate components, and the quantity of each of the products to be produced.

Abstract: Constraints are received on initial components and intermediate components. Information is received on the products to be produced including a quantity of each of the products to be produced and a specification that specifies how the intermediate components are to be combined to form each of the products. An optimization is performed that includes the continuous conversion of initial components into the intermediate components as well as subsequent production of the products, subject to the constraints on each of the initial components, the constraints on each of the intermediate components, and the quantity of each of the products to be produced.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention include an input device (e.g., a computer mouse) including a processor, a housing including a top side, the housing configured to support a user's hand, and a detachable cover plate configured to attach to the top side of the housing and support a user's hand. The cover plate can include a shape memory polymer (SMP) disposed thereon, where the SMP is pliable and operable to conform to the user's hand when a temperature of the SMP is at or above a threshold value. Furthermore, the SMP can be firm and non-conforming when the temperature of the SMP falls below the threshold value. A heating unit controlled by the processor can be configured to control the temperature of the shape memory polymer. The detachable cover plate can include the shape memory polymer disposed in areas configured to contact a user's palm and thumb.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention include an input device (e.g., a computer mouse) including a processor, a housing including a top side, the housing configured to support a user's hand, and a detachable cover plate configured to attach to the top side of the housing and support a user's hand. The cover plate can include a shape memory polymer (SMP) disposed thereon, where the SMP is pliable and operable to conform to the user's hand when a temperature of the SMP is at or above a threshold value. Furthermore, the SMP can be firm and non-conforming when the temperature of the SMP falls below the threshold value. A heating unit controlled by the processor can be configured to control the temperature of the shape memory polymer. The detachable cover plate can include the shape memory polymer disposed in areas configured to contact a user's palm and thumb.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention include an input device (e.g., a computer mouse) including a processor, a housing including a top side, the housing configured to support a user's hand, and a detachable cover plate configured to attach to the top side of the housing and support a user's hand. The cover plate can include a shape memory polymer (SMP) disposed thereon, where the SMP is pliable and operable to conform to the user's hand when a temperature of the SMP is at or above a threshold value. Furthermore, the SMP can be firm and non-conforming when the temperature of the SMP falls below the threshold value. A heating unit controlled by the processor can be configured to control the temperature of the shape memory polymer. The detachable cover plate can include the shape memory polymer disposed in areas configured to contact a user's palm and thumb.

Abstract: Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to monitor communication paths in communication systems are disclosed. An example method includes identifying links of a communication system, the links communicatively coupling router pairs, identifying communication paths in the communication system, each of the communication paths being routed via one or more of the links, testing the links during a first interval by testing at least a first portion of the communication paths, testing the links during the second interval by testing at least a second portion of the communication paths, changing the first portion of the communication paths to include at least one of the communication paths from the second portion of the communication paths such that testing the first portion of the communication paths and testing the second portion of the communication paths collectively test each of the links, and identifying a link failure based on the testing.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention include an input device (e.g., a computer mouse) including a processor, a housing including a top side, the housing configured to support a user's hand, and a detachable cover plate configured to attach to the top side of the housing and support a user's hand. The cover plate can include a shape memory polymer (SMP) disposed thereon, where the SMP is pliable and operable to conform to the user's hand when a temperature of the SMP is at or above a threshold value. Furthermore, the SMP can be firm and non-conforming when the temperature of the SMP falls below the threshold value. A heating unit controlled by the processor can be configured to control the temperature of the shape memory polymer. The detachable cover plate can include the shape memory polymer disposed in areas configured to contact a user's palm and thumb.