How do you optimize process performance using data analytics and artificial intelligence?

1 Data analytics for process control and instrumentation

Data analytics is the process of collecting, processing, analyzing, and interpreting data from various sources, such as sensors, controllers, databases, and historical records. This type of analytics can help you uncover the behavior, trends, patterns, and anomalies of your processes and equipment, as well as identify opportunities for improvement. Data analytics can be used to detect and diagnose faults or failures in your processes and equipment so you can take corrective actions. Additionally, it can help you optimize your process parameters to achieve the desired product quality and yield. Furthermore, data analytics can reduce energy consumption, waste generation, and environmental impact by minimizing resource use and maximizing efficiency. Finally, it can enhance process safety and reliability by preventing or mitigating hazards, risks, and accidents.

2 Artificial intelligence for process control and instrumentation

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a branch of computer science focused on creating systems that can complete tasks typically requiring human intelligence, like learning, problem solving, and decision making. AI can increase the capabilities of data analytics and allow you to automate and optimize your process control and instrumentation functions. For example, you can use AI to create and apply advanced control strategies, such as model predictive control, adaptive control, and fuzzy logic control. AI can also design and deploy intelligent agents, such as neural networks, genetic algorithms, and reinforcement learning. Additionally, AI can generate and evaluate alternative scenarios, solutions, and actions with techniques like simulation, optimization, and multi-criteria decision analysis. Finally, AI can incorporate human knowledge, expertise, and preferences with methods such as expert systems, natural language processing, and knowledge representation to improve your process control and instrumentation decisions.

3 Benefits of data analytics and AI for process control and instrumentation

Data analytics and AI can offer a range of advantages for your process control and instrumentation functions, from improved performance to reduced variability and complexity. Such technology can also enable you to discover new knowledge, opportunities, and solutions, as well as empower your process operators and engineers with more tools, support, and guidance. These benefits can result in increased productivity, quality, profitability, and sustainability, thereby enhancing your process innovation and competitiveness.

4 Challenges of data analytics and AI for process control and instrumentation

Data analytics and AI come with their own set of challenges. You need to ensure that you have sufficient, reliable, and consistent data from processes and equipment, as well as from external sources. It is also essential to protect data from unauthorized access, misuse, or theft, and to integrate and manage data from different sources, formats, and systems. Additionally, you must choose the appropriate data analytics and AI techniques, tools, and models that are valid, robust, and transparent. Finally, your data analytics and AI results must be communicated in a clear, concise, and convincing manner.

5 Best practices for data analytics and AI for process control and instrumentation

To maximize the benefits of data analytics and AI for process control and instrumentation functions, it's important to define your performance objectives and indicators, assess your readiness and maturity, establish a data analytics and AI culture and governance, adopt a data-driven and evidence-based approach to decisions and actions, and evaluate outcomes and impacts. Involving process operators, engineers, managers, and stakeholders in the process can help you identify gaps and needs, as well as monitor and improve your process performance continuously.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?