Development of rule-based advisory system from modified hazard and operability study on fatty acid fractionation column

Abstract

A modified Hazard and Operability Study (HAZOP) algorithm has been proposed in order to develop process deviation relationships between two study nodes in HAZOP study. In order to apply the modified HAZOP study, a rule-based advisory system, which consists of knowledge-based and inference engine has been developed. The main objective of building the rule-based advisory system is to facilitate the decision-making process and also to conduct the database management efficiently. Microsoft AccessTM and Visual BasicTM have been used to develop the knowledge-based and the inference engine respectively. The base case in this study is a fatty acid fractionation column of an oleo chemical plant. As a result of the modified HAZOP study application, a new documentation system of HAZOP study is produced in the advisory system developed. In comparing with the conventional HAZOP study, the main improvement made by the modified HAZOP study is that it contains the main and side causes/consequences database category, which are related to the analyzed guideword and the identified process deviation relationship.