Training system for chemical and petrochemical processes (STOP QP)

• Grant number: 00/13697-0
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: June 01, 2001
• End date: November 30, 2001
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Computer Science
• Principal Investigator: Alexandre Carlos Brandão Ramos
• Grantee: Alexandre Carlos Brandão Ramos
• Company: Laboratório de Informática Aplicada
• City: São José dos Campos

Abstract

Nowadays control centers for processing units may have two types of system. Analogical Control Systems - ACS, which use technology from the 1970s which require several operators controlling the various subsystems. And Digital Distributed Control Systems - DDCS, of more recent technology, which are micro-processed, facilitating the control and optimization of processes by computer, reducing human intervention in the normal operation of the process, intervening only when operational instabilities occur, stops and starts. The current tendency is for ACS gradually to be replaced by DDCS, in view of the great versatility of these systems represented by the interface with external computers. This advantage, however, does not favor process operators with little experience. STOP QP is there to meet the training needs of these operators, providing knowledge of corrective actions needed to resolve operational emergencies and instabilities, displaying several facilities, among which: multimedia tutorials which demonstrate the various subsystems to be operated, the function of each process and the operational procedures; interactive multimedia courses with specific knowledge tests at the end of each section and gradings for the next; simulation and visualization of the functioning of the subsystems of the processing unit in normal and emergency situations; and monitoring and timekeeping of the users actions under normal and emergency situations; accompanying the operator’s learning process with graphical displays of performance. (AU)