Patent ID: 7283929
Filing Date: 2007-10-16
Classification: G05B,Y02P

Abstract:
1. An operation-supporting apparatus for plant equipment, comprising: an operation request input unit that inputs operation request input information, the operation request input information including information relating to operation request items of the plant equipment; an operating conditions setting unit that converts the operation request input information to operating parameters; an operation history creation unit that creates an operation history by chronologically processing the operating parameters, converted by the operating conditions setting unit, based on input from an operation monitoring unit that monitors operating states of the plant equipment; a breakdown statistics database that stores an event tree of the plant equipment in correlation with degrees of unreliability relating to breakdown events; an event simulator that calculates a degree of unreliability corresponding to the operating parameters, based on the information in the breakdown statistics database, the operation request input information, and the operation history, and in compliance with the event tree of the plant equipment; a risk-cost calculation unit that calculates risk-cost by determining an aggregate product of the degrees of unreliability and restoration costs in compliance with the event tree; an operating method determination unit that determines whether operating conditions are suitable by comparing the risk-cost with profit that is expected to be gained by continuing operation; and an operating method specification unit that specifies specific operation conditions for the plant equipment in accordance with an operating method determined by the operating method determination unit; wherein the operation monitoring unit includes detectors that detect all or some signals relating to temperature and pressure of operational fluids of the plant equipment, a number of rotations of rotating parts, and output load, chronologically processes the detected signals, arranges regular and irregular operations into predetermined categories, and collects and stores data that relates to a number of start-ups and operating times; wherein the event tree stored by the breakdown statistics database is based on previous breakdown events in the plant and/or other similar plants and relates to cracks, deformation, erosion, abrasion, oxidation, corrosion, deterioration of materials, breakage, reduced capability, and functional deterioration, and a degree of unreliability function for each event, these being expressed as a function of material lifetime parameters in correspondence with operation conditions, or as a function of parameters of temperature, stress, warping, and environmental factors, that represent operating conditions; the apparatus further comprising a breakdown monitoring unit that detects the breakdown events while the plant equipment is operational and precursory breakdown events; and an emergency stop determination unit that determines whether to stop operation immediately based on a detection signal detected by the breakdown monitoring unit; and wherein, when not immediately stopping operation, a probability of an event that already occurred in the event tree stored in the breakdown statistics database is corrected from a pre-event probability to a post-event probability, and in addition, a subsequent event is corrected by using the post-event probability of the event that already occurred, and the event simulator uses a corrected degree of unreliability.