Abstract: A method of attaining a linguistic goal output of a process using a linguistic goal oriented decision making system, comprising setting the output value to a linguistic goal, and establishing a set of descriptive rules using historical data, wherein each descriptive rule has at least one variable, a decision variable, and at least one linguistic output value. The method further comprises grouping the set of descriptive rules into subsets of descriptive rules according to the linguistic output value of each descriptive rule and establishing decision rules based on comparing the grouped subsets of descriptive rules, the one or more decision rules describing a modification of a decision variable associated with at least one of the descriptive rules to affect the process.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for reducing the volume and/or frequency of slugging in a fluid processing system that includes a pipeline for conveying produced fluids and a vessel for receiving the produced fluids from the pipeline. A control valve is provided in the pipeline upstream of the vessel. A pressure sensor and/or a level sensor is coupled to the vessel. Pressure information from the pressure sensor and/or level information from the level sensor is sent to at least one master control loop in a cascade control scheme. The master control loop output determines a set point of a slave control loop coupled to the control valve to achieve a pressure setpoint or a level setpoint. The slave control loop, also referred to as a pseudo-flow controller, determines whether the control valve opening needs be modulated to achieve the setpoint of the slave control loop. A method is also provided for retrofitting an existing fluid processing system.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for reducing the volume and/or frequency of slugging in a fluid processing system that includes a pipeline for conveying produced fluids and a vessel for receiving the produced fluids from the pipeline. A control valve is provided in the pipeline upstream of the vessel. A pressure sensor and/or a level sensor is coupled to the vessel. Pressure information from the pressure sensor and/or level information from the level sensor is sent to at least one master control loop in a cascade control scheme. The master control loop output determines a set point of a slave control loop coupled to the control valve to achieve a pressure setpoint or a level setpoint. The slave control loop, also referred to as a pseudo-flow controller, determines whether the control valve opening needs be modulated to achieve the setpoint of the slave control loop. A method is also provided for retrofitting an existing fluid processing system.

Abstract: A method and a control system are provided for reducing the size and/or the frequency of hydrodynamic slugging in a fluid processing system. The fluid processing system includes a pipeline for conveying produced fluids and a vessel for receiving the produced fluids from the pipeline. A control valve is provided in the pipeline upstream of the vessel. A pressure sensor is provided upstream of the control valve. Pressure information from the pressure sensor is sent to a master control loop in a cascade control scheme in which the master control loop controls a slave control loop which in turn controls the control valve. The master control loop determines a set point of the slave control loop coupled to the control valve to achieve a pressure setpoint. The slave control loop, also referred to as a pseudo-flow controller, determines whether the control valve opening needs be modulated to achieve the setpoint of the slave control loop. A method is also provided for retrofitting an existing fluid processing system.

Abstract: A method of attaining a linguistic goal output of a process using a linguistic goal oriented decision making system, comprising setting the output value to a linguistic goal, and establishing a set of descriptive rules using historical data, wherein each descriptive rule has at least one variable, a decision variable, and at least one linguistic output value. The method further comprises grouping the set of descriptive rules into subsets of descriptive rules according to the linguistic output value of each descriptive rule and establishing decision rules based on comparing the grouped subsets of descriptive rules, the one or more decision rules describing a modification of a decision variable associated with at least one of the descriptive rules to affect the process.

Abstract: Methods and systems for reconstructing data are disclosed. One method includes receiving a selection of one or more input data streams at a data processing framework, and receiving a definition of one or more analytics components at the data processing framework. The method further includes applying a dynamic principal component analysis to the one or more input data streams, and detecting a fault in the one or more input data streams based at least in part on a prediction error and a variation in principal component subspace generated based on the dynamic principal component analysis. The method also includes reconstructing data at the fault within the one or more input data streams based on data collected prior to occurrence of the fault.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprising receiving slug attribute information from a distributed or multi-point sensing system coupled to a fluid processing system, the slug attribute information associated with one or more slugs present in the fluid processing system; determining by a processor whether to activate one or more control devices of the fluid processing system to effect slug countermeasures based on the slug attribute information, the slug countermeasures comprising slug control; and activating the one or more control devices responsive to the determination.

Abstract: The flow rate of a nonadsorbed product gas stream from a multiple unit PSA plant can be reduced in response to a reduced product demand by isolating all units in the plant and inserting an idle step into the adsorption cycle immediately following bed equalization steps of the cycle. In a preferred embodiment, the duration of the idle step is inversely proportional to the percentage reduction in the product demand. To maintain the product gas purity at the desired level, minor adjustments of the idle step duration can be made following adjustment to the idle step in response to a change in product demand.