Patent ID: 7460915
Filing Date: 2008-12-02
Classification: G05B

Abstract:
1. A method for controlling a physical process of the type utilizing a catalyst to produce an end product from one or more substances, the method including the steps of: defining, within an automated computer system, a state space model for the process, the state space model including a catalyst state comprising a hidden catalyst property in the form of a distribution of catalyst weight percent with respect to the one or more substances; defining, within the automated computer system, a set of input variables for the state space model, wherein the input variables are empirically measurable properties of the process; defining, within the automated computer system, a set of output variables for the state space model, wherein the output variables are empirically measurable properties of the process and the end product, and wherein the set of output variables includes a process yield variable; measuring a set of input values corresponding to the set of input variables; measuring a set of output values corresponding to the set of output variables; estimating the hidden catalyst property based on the input values, the output values, and the state space model; controlling the process in a manner responsive to the estimating step in order to produce the end product.