An integrated data mining system and its application to process operational data analysis

In process plant operation and control, modem computer control and automatic date logging systems create large volumes of data, which contain valuable information about normal and abnormal operations, significant disturbances and changes in operational and control strategies. The data unquestionably provides a useful source for supervisors and engineers to monitor the performance of the plant and identify opportunities for improvement and causes of poor performance. This contribution examines the potential that the emerging data mining and knowledge discovery technology can offer in process operational data analysis, and describes an integrated prototype system for this purpose. Case studies are used to illustrate the functions of the system.