A framework for the language and logic of computer-aided phenomena-based process modeling

Chemical process engineering activities such as design, optimization, analysis, control, scheduling, diagnosis, and training all rely on mathematical models for solution of some engineering problem. Likewise, most of the undergraduate chemical engineering curricula are model-based. However, the lack of formalization and systematization associated with model development leads most students and engineers to view modeling as an art, not as a science. Consequently, model development in practice is usually left to specialized modeling experts. This work seeks to address this issue through development of a framework that raises the level of model development from procedural computations and mathematical equations to the fundamental concepts of chemical engineering science. This framework, suitable for implementation in a computer-aided environment, encompasses a phenomena-based modeling language and logical operators. The modeling language, which represents chemical processes interms of interacting physicochemical phenomena, provides a high-level vocabulary for describing the topological and hierarchical structure of lumped or spatially distributed systems, mechanistic characterization of relevant phenomena (e.g., reactions, equilibria, heat and mass transport), and thermodynamic and physical characterization of process materials. Thelogical operators systematize the modeling process by explicitly capturing procedural and declarative aspects of the model ingactivity.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Chemical Engineering.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2000

Author dc:creator

• Bieszczad, Jerry, 1971-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• George Stephanopoulos.

• Chemical Engineering.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://theses.mit.edu/Dienst/UI/2.0/Describe/0018.mit.etheses%2f1999-28
• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/16735

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/16735