Systems for generating and using a lookup table with process facility control systems and models of the same, and methods of operating such systems

Abstract

Systems and methods of operating the same are introduced for populating and using lookup tables with process facility control systems and models of the same. An exemplary computer system for use with a process facility having a plurality of associated processes, and includes both a memory and a processor. The memory is capable of maintaining (i) a data structure having a plurality of accessible fields and (ii) a model of at least a portion of the plurality of associated processes. The model may include a mathematical representation of at least a portion of the at least one process, defining certain relationships among inputs and outputs of the at least one process. The processor is capable of populating ones of the plurality of accessible fields of the data structure using the model iteratively with a range of possible values of the at least one measurable characteristic. The computer system is capable of using the range of possible values of the at least one measurable characteristic to predict an unforced response associated with the at least one process.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A computer system for use with a process facility having a plurality of associated processes, comprising: 
 circuitry that is capable of maintaining a data structure having a plurality of accessible fields; and    a processor, associated with said circuitry, that is capable of populating ones of said plurality of accessible fields of said data structure with a range of possible values of at least one measureable characteristic associated with at least one process of said plurality of associated processes.    
     
     
         2 . The computer system set forth in  claim 1  wherein said circuitry is capable of storing a task that directs said processor to populate said ones of said plurality of accessible fields of said data structure with said range of possible values.  
     
     
         3 . The computer system set forth in  claim 1  wherein said circuitry is further capable of maintaining a model of at least a portion of said plurality of associated processes.  
     
     
         4 . The computer system set forth in  claim 3  wherein said model includes a mathematical representation of at least a portion of said at least one process of said plurality of associated processes, said mathematical representation defining relationships among inputs and outputs of said at least one process of said associated processes.  
     
     
         5 . The computer system set forth in  claim 3  wherein said processor is capable of using said model iteratively to populate ones of said plurality of accessible fields of said data structure with said range of possible values of said at least one measureable characteristic.  
     
     
         6 . The computer system set forth in  claim 5  wherein said model includes at least one feedback variable representing, at least in part, an output of said at least one process of said associated processes.  
     
     
         7 . The computer system set forth in  claim 6  wherein said processor populates at least one of said plurality of accessible fields of said data structure in response to said at least one feedback variable of said at least one process of said associated processes.  
     
     
         8 . The computer system set forth in  claim 3  wherein said model includes a manipulable variable.  
     
     
         9 . The computer system set forth in  claim 8  wherein said processor is capable of at least substantially maintaining a value of said manipulable variable during at least a portion of said iterative population of said ones of said plurality of accessible fields of said data structure.  
     
     
         10 . The computer system set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said circuitry maintains statically said range of possible values of said at least one measureable characteristic associated with at least one process of said plurality of associated processes.  
     
     
         11 . The computer system set forth in  claim 1  wherein said processor is further capable of using said range of possible values of said at least one measureable characteristic to predict an unforced response associated with said at least one process.  
     
     
         12 . A method of operating a computer system that is for use with a process facility having a plurality of associated processes, said method of operation comprising the steps of: 
 maintaining a data structure having a plurality of accessible fields in circuitry associated with said computer system; and    populating ones of said plurality of accessible fields of said data structure using a processor, that is associated with said circuitry, with a range of possible values of at least one measurable characteristic associated with at least one process of said plurality of associated processes.    
     
     
         13 . The method of operation set forth in  claim 12  further comprising the step of storing a task in said circuitry that is capable of directing said processor to populate said ones of said plurality of accessible fields of said data structure with said range of possible values.  
     
     
         14 . The method of operation set forth in  claim 12  further comprising the step of maintaining a model of at least a portion of said plurality of associated processes in said circuitry.  
     
     
         15 . The method of operation set forth in  claim 14  wherein said model includes a mathematical representation of at least a portion of said at least one process of said plurality of associated processes, said mathematical representation defining relationships among inputs and outputs of said at least one process of said associated processes, and said method further comprises the step of using said model iteratively by said processor to populate ones of said plurality of accessible fields of said data structure with said range of possible values of said at least one measurable characteristic.  
     
     
         16 . The method of operation set forth in  claim 15  wherein said model includes at least one feedback variable representing, at least in part, an output of said at least one process of said associated processes, and said method further comprises the step of using said processor, in response to said at least one feedback variable of said at least one process of said associated processes, to populate at least one of said plurality of accessible fields of said data structure.  
     
     
         17 . The method of operation set forth in  claim 14  wherein said model includes a manipulable variable, and said method further comprises the step of at least substantially maintaining a value of said manipulable variable during at least a portion of said iterative population of said ones of said plurality of accessible fields of said data structure.  
     
     
         18 . The method of operation set forth in  claim 12  wherein said circuitry maintains statically said range of possible values of said at least one measurable characteristic associated with at least one process of said plurality of associated processes.  
     
     
         19 . The method of operation set forth in  claim 12  further comprising the step of predicting an unforced response associated with said at least one process using said processor and said range of possible values of said at least one measurable characteristic.  
     
     
         20 . A data structure for use with a computer system associated with a process facility having a plurality of associated processes, said data structure comprising a plurality of accessible fields, ones of said plurality of accessible fields maintaining a range of possible values of at least one measurable characteristic associated with at least one process of said plurality of associated processes.  
     
     
         21 . The data structure set forth in claim  20  wherein one of said plurality of accessible fields are capable of being selected by said computer system.