Abstract: A control system includes an estimator configured to determine a present state of a device and compare the present state of the device with an expected state of the device. The control system further includes a predictor operatively coupled to the estimator, and configured to predict an event for execution by the device to reach the expected state of the device. The control system also includes a supervisory control unit operatively coupled to the predictor and the device, and configured to facilitate execution of the predicted event by the device.

Abstract: A system includes a controller configured to estimate a brake specific nitrogen oxide emission of an engine based on a plurality of sensed parameters of the engine. The controller is also configured to control one or more control variables of the engine to reduce specific fuel consumption while ensuring compliance of brake specific nitrogen oxide emissions within predetermined limits.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system comprising a primary digester and a digester emulator. The digester emulator is capable of dynamically estimating the primary digester performance.

Abstract: A method includes assessing corrosion in a refinery operation having a piping network. Assessing can include identifying in a petroleum sample a presence and an amount of a species determined to be potentially corrosive to corrodible equipment in a refinery. A corrosion risk presented by the presence, the amount, and the boiling point of the species is determined. And, the corrosion risk is evaluated in view of piping network information. A system for implementing the method is provided, also.

Abstract: A methodology and system is disclosed which addresses outstanding needs of refiners to process cheaper crudes or blends of crudes. This method and system comprises a number of steps, including characterizing the impact of various constituents in the crude which result in fouling of heat exchangers; estimating model parameters; monitoring and predicting qualitative and quantitative performance; and determining optimal dosage of chemical treatments.

Abstract: A control system includes an estimator configured to determine a present state of a device and compare the present state of the device with an expected state of the device. The control system further includes a predictor operatively coupled to the estimator, and configured to predict an event for execution by the device to reach the expected state of the device. The control system also includes a supervisory control unit operatively coupled to the predictor and the device, and configured to facilitate execution of the predicted event by the device.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for evaluating and monitoring performance of a heat exchanger system. Operating parameters of the system are monitored and fouling factors for heat transfer surfaces of the exchanger are determined. Trending of fouling may be performed over time based upon the fouling factors, and a model of fouling may be selected from known sets of models, or a model may be developed or refined. Fluid treatment, such as water treatment regimes may be taken into account in evaluation of fouling. An automated knowledge based analysis algorithm may diagnose possible caused of fouling based upon sensed and observed parameters and conditions. Corrective actions may be suggested and the system controlled to reduce, avoid or correct for detected fouling.

Abstract: A method includes assessing corrosion in a refinery operation having a piping network. Assessing can include identifying in a petroleum sample a presence and an amount of a species determined to be potentially corrosive to corrodible equipment in a refinery. A corrosion risk presented by the presence, the amount, and the boiling point of the species is determined. And, the corrosion risk is evaluated in view of piping network information. A system for implementing the method is provided, also.

Abstract: A methodology and system is disclosed which addresses outstanding needs of refiners to process cheaper crudes or blends of crudes. This method and system comprises a number of steps, including characterizing the impact of various constituents in the crude which result in fouling of heat exchangers; estimating model parameters; monitoring and predicting qualitative and quantitative performance; and determining optimal dosage of chemical treatments.

Abstract: A system includes a controller configured to estimate a brake specific nitrogen oxide emission of an engine based on a plurality of sensed parameters of the engine. The controller is also configured to control one or more control variables of the engine to reduce specific fuel consumption while ensuring compliance of brake specific nitrogen oxide emissions within predetermined limits.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a railway consist, the apparatus comprising: a consist model adapted for computing an objective function from a set of candidate driving plans and a set of model parameters; a parameter identifier adapted for calculating the model parameters from a set of consist measurements; and a trajectory optimizer adapted for generating the candidate driving plans and for selecting an optimal driving plan to optimize the objective function subject to a set of terminal constraints and operating constraints.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a plurality of locomotives, the locomotives being responsive to a plurality of discrete actual commands, the apparatus comprising: a combination generator adapted for generating combinations of the discrete actual commands to yield a command combination set; a performance calculator adapted for calculating a performance parameter set from the command combination set; a feasible combination selector adapted for selecting a feasible combination subset from the command combination set as a function of a discrete performance setpoint, a performance tolerance, and the performance parameter set; an objective function calculator adapted for calculating an objective function set from the feasible combination subset; and an optimal command selector adapted for selecting an optimal command combination from the feasible combination subset corresponding to an optimum value of the objective function set.