Patent Document ID: 5522224
Application ID: 08290123
Patent Flag: 1

Claim One:
1. A method for controlling both an intermediate product and a downstream output product in a cryogenic air separation system, said intermediate product produced earlier than said output product, variations in a measure of said output product correlatable to earlier variations in a measure of said intermediate product, values of said intermediate product measure and output product measure depending upon independent variable phenomena, said method implemented by a software operated control computer and including the steps of: a. providing measures of said intermediate product, said output product and said independent variable phenomena; b. predicting measures of said intermediate product based upon said independent variable phenomena and outputting predicted values therefor; c. determining a difference between a predicted value of said intermediate product and an actual measure of the intermediate product to arrive at a current prediction error value of said intermediate product; d. converting said current prediction error value of said intermediate product to a true current prediction error value of said intermediate product by employing an inputted confidence multiplier; e. estimating future values of said true current prediction error value of said intermediate product by correlation with previously calculated values; f. employing said true current and future prediction error values of the intermediate product estimated in steps d and e to modify a prediction value for a measure of said output product, prior to an effect upon said measure of said output product of said true current prediction error values of the intermediate product and future values of said true prediction error of said intermediate product; and g. employing said prediction value of the measure of said output product modified in step f, in a process regulation instrumentality.