Method and apparatus for guidance of an operation of operating power plants

Abstract

This invention refers to a .[.plant operating.]. method .Iadd.and apparatus for guidance of an operation .Iaddend.for overcoming an abnormal status of a plant. A plant data is detected from the plant, and all plant state members indicating an abnormality of the plant are identified from the plant data. The plant operating method .Iadd.and apparatus .Iaddend.includes .Iadd.apparatus for .Iaddend.estimating a cause whereby the plant status members are produced, predicting all plant status members arising after passing a given period of time according to the estimated cause, determining whether or not actual plant status members are present in the plant state members predicted and when the latter members are not present in the former members, repeatedly carrying out the processing of the steps of estimating and predicting to which the plant status members forcasted at the predicting step are inputted until all the actual plant status members come to exist in the plant status members forecasted at the predicting step. When all the actual plant status members are present in the plant status members predicted at the predicting step, a plant operation for overcoming the cause obtained at the step of estimating which produces the predicted plant status members is selected, and the plant operation is carried out according to the selected operation.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A plant operating method comprising the steps of: detecting plant data from a plant;   identifying the actual status of all members of the plant indicating an abnormality of the plant from the detected plant data;   estimating a cause of an occurrence of the abnormality in accordance with the actual status of the plant members;   predicting the status of all plant members after a given period of time has passed in accordance with the estimated cause;   determining whether or not the actual status of the plant members are present in the predicted status of the plant members;   repeatedly carrying out the step of estimating a cause of occurrence of the abnormality and predicting the status of all plant members in accordance therewith when it is determined that the actual status of all the plant members are not present in the predicted status of the plant members detected until the actual status of all the plant members come to exist in the predicted status of the plant members;   selecting a plant operation plan for overcoming the estimated cause of occurrence of the abnormality when the actual status of all of the plant members are present in the status of the predicted plant members; and   operating the plant according to the selected operation plan.   
     
     
       2. The plant operating method according to claim 1, wherein the step of estimating the cause of occurrence of the abnormality is based upon data providing a cause and effect relationship. 
     
     
       3. The plant operating method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step of selecting an operation plan for overcoming the estimated cause of the abnormality includes predicting the status of the plant members when the selected operation is put into practice for a given period of time, determining whether or not the selected operation plan should be selected, and repeatedly carrying out selection of an operation plan to overcome an occurrence of the predicted status of the plant members in accordance with the selected operation plan until no operation plan is selected, and thereafter selecting an operating plan which satisfies operating conditions for the plant as the selected operation plan from among the operation plans thus obtained. 
     
     
       4. The plant operating method according to claim 3, wherein the step of selecting an operation plan includes retrieving data indicating the operation plan corresponding to the predicted status of the plant members. 
     
     
       5. The plant operating method according to claim 3, including the step of determining the status of the plant members arising as a consequence of the predicted status of the plant members. 
     
     
       6. The plant operating method according to claim 5, wherein the status of the plant members arising as a consequence of the predicted status of the plant members is obtained by retrieving data providing a cause and effect relationship. 
     
     
       7. The plant operating method according to claim 1 or 3, further comprising the steps of obtaining a detail procedure for the selected operating plan and determining whether the detail procedure is contrary to the limitations on the plant operation, and carrying out the selected operation plan when the detail procedure is not contrary to limitations on the plant operation, and selecting another operation plan for overcoming the estimated cause of the abnormality when the detail procedure is contrary to the limitations on the plant operation. .Iadd. 
     
     
       8.  An operating method comprising the steps of: (1) inputting data of a system to be operated;   (2) identifying the actual status of all members of the system indicating an abnormality of the system from the inputted data;   (3) estimating at least one cause of an occurrence of the abnormality in accordance with the actual status of the members;   (4) predicting the status of all members after a given period of time has passed in accordance with the estimated cause;   (5) determining whether or not the actual status of the members are present in the predicted status of the members;   (6) repeatedly carrying out the step of estimating at least one cause of occurrence of the abnormality and predicting the status of all members in accordance therewith when it is determined that the actual status of all members are not present in the predicted status of the members until the actual status of all members come to exist in the predicted status of the members;   (7) selecting an operation plan for overcoming the estimated cause of occurrence of the abnormality when the actual status of all of the members are present in the status of the predicted members; and   (8) operating the system according to the selected operation plan. .Iaddend. .Iadd.9. An operating method according to claim 8, wherein the step of estimating the cause of occurrence of the abnormality is based upon data providing a cause and consequence relationship. .Iaddend. .Iadd.10. An operating method according to claim 8, wherein the step of selecting an operation plan for overcoming the estimated cause of the abnormality includes the steps of:   (1) predicting the status of the members when the selected operation is put into practice for a given period of time;   (2) determining whether or not the selected operation plan should be selected;   (3) repeatedly carrying out selection of an operation plan to overcome an occurrence of the predicted status of the members in accordance with the selected operation plan until no operation plan is selected; and thereafter   (4) selecting an operation plan which satisfies operating conditions for the system as the selected operation plan from among the operation plans thus obtained. .Iaddend. .Iadd.11. An operating method according to claim 10, wherein the step of selecting an operation plan includes the step of retrieving data indicating the operation plan corresponding to the predicted status of the members. .Iaddend. .Iadd.12. An operating method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of determining the status of the members arising as a consequence of the predicted status of the members. .Iaddend. .Iadd.13. An operating method according to claim 12, wherein the status of the members arising as a consequence of the predicted status of the members is obtained by retrieving data providing a cause and consequence relationship. .Iaddend. .Iadd.14. A method according to claim 8 or 10, further comprising the steps of:   (1) obtaining a detail procedure for the selected operation plan;   (2) determining whether the detail procedure is contrary to the limitations on the operation;   (3) carrying out the selected operation plan when the detail procedure is not contrary to limitations on the operation; and   (4) selecting another operation plan for overcoming the estimated cause of the abnormality when the detail procedure is contrary to the limitations on the operation. .Iaddend. .Iadd.15. A method comprising the steps of:   (1) inputting data of an object;   (2) identifying the actual status of all members of the object indicating an abnormality of the object from the inputted data;   (3) estimating at least one cause of an occurrence of the abnormality in accordance with the actual status of the members;   (4) predicting the status of all members after a given period of time has passed in accordance with the estimated cause;   (5) determining whether or not the actual status of the members are present in the predicted status of the members;   (6) repeatedly carrying out the step of estimating at least one cause of occurrence of the abnormality and predicting the status of all members in accordance therewith when it is determined that the actual status of all members are not present in the predicted status of the members detected until the actual status of all members come to exist in the predicted status of the members; and   (7) selecting an operation plan for overcoming the estimated cause of occurrence of the abnormality when the actual status of all of the members are present in the status of the predicted members. .Iaddend. .Iadd.16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the cause of occurrence of the abnormality is based upon data providing a cause and consequence relationship. .Iaddend. .Iadd.17. A method according to claim 15, wherein the step of selecting an operation plan for overcoming the estimated cause of the abnormality includes the steps of:   (1) predicting the status of the members when the selected operation plan is put into practice for a given period of time,   (2) determining whether or not the selected operation plan should be selected,   (3) repeatedly carrying out selection of an operation plan to overcome an occurrence of the predicted status of the members in accordance with the selected operation plan until no operation plan is selected, and thereafter   (4) selecting an operating plan which satisfies operating conditions for the object as the selected operation plan from among the operation plans thus obtained. .Iaddend. .Iadd.18. A method according to claim 17, wherein the step of selecting an operation plan includes the step of retrieving data indicating the operation plan corresponding to the predicted status of the members. .Iaddend. .Iadd.19. A method according to claim 17, further comprising step of determining the status of the members arising as a consequence of the predicted status of the members. .Iaddend. .Iadd.20. A method according to claim 19, wherein the status of the members arising as a consequence of the predicted status of the members is obtained by retrieving data providing a cause and consequence relationship. .Iaddend. .Iadd.21. A method according to claim 15 or 17, further comprising the steps of:   (1) obtaining a detail procedure for the selected operation plan;   (2) determining whether the detail procedure is contrary to the limitations on the operation; and   (3) selecting another operation plan for overcoming the estimated cause of the abnormality when the detail procedure is contrary to the limitations   
     
     
        on the operation. .Iaddend. .Iadd.22.  An apparatus including a computer comprising: (1) a memory for storing data bases including (a) a data base recording relations of causes and consequences,   (b) a data base recording information to predict transitional behavior of an object, and   (c) a data base recording operation plans; and     (2) means for carrying out a processing program to make a guidance consultation to overcome a cause of abnormality of the object including (a) means for inputting data of the object,   (b) means responsive to the inputting means for identifying the actual status of all members of the object indicating an abnormality of the object from the inputted data,   (c) means responsive to the identifying means for estimating a cause of an occurrence of the abnormality in accordance with the actual status of the members,   (d) means responsive to the estimating means for predicting the status of all members after a given period of time has passed in accordance with the estimated cause,   (e) means responsive to the predicting means for determining whether or not the actual status of the members are present in the predicted status of the members,   (f) means responsive to the determining means for repeatedly carrying out the estimating of a cause of occurrence of the abnormality and predicting the status of all members in accordance therewith when it is determined that the actual status of all members are not present in the predicted status of the members detected until the actual status of all members come to exist in the predicted status of the member, and   (g) means responsive to the repeatedly carrying out means for selecting an operation plan for overcoming the estimated cause of occurrence of the abnormality when the actual status of all of the members are present in     
     
     
        the status of the predicted members. .Iaddend. .Iadd.23.  An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the means for estimating the cause of occurrence of the abnormality are based upon data providing a cause and 
     
     
        consequence relationship. .Iaddend. .Iadd.24.  An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the means for selecting an operation plan for overcoming the estimated cause of the abnormality includes: (1) means for listing at least one operation plan;   (2) means responsive to the listing means for predicting the status of the members when a selected operation plan is put into practice for a given period of time;   (3) means responsive to the predicting means for determining whether or not the selected operation plan should be selected;   (4) means responsive to the determining means for repeatedly carrying out selection of another operation plan to overcome an occurrence of the predicted status of the members in accordance with the selected operation plan until no operation plan is selected; and thereafter   (5) means responsive to the repeatedly carrying out means for selecting an operation plan which satisfies operating conditions for the object as the selected operation plan from among the operation plans thus obtained.   
     
     
        .Iaddend. .Iadd.25.  An apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the means for selecting an operation plan further includes means for retrieving data indicating the operation plan corresponding to the predicted status of the members. .Iaddend. .Iadd.26. An apparatus according to claim 24, further comprising means for determining the status of the members arising as a consequence of the predicted status of the members. .Iaddend. .Iadd.27. An apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the status of the members arising as a consequence of the predicted status of the members is obtained by retrieving data providing a cause and consequence relationship. .Iaddend. 
     
     
        .Iadd.28.  An apparatus according to claim 22 or 24, further comprising: (1) means responsive to the selecting means for obtaining a detailed procedure for the selected operation plan;   (2) means responsive to the detail means for determining whether the detailed procedure is contrary to the limitations on the operation; and   (3) means responsive to the determining means for selecting another operation plan for overcoming the estimated cause of the abnormality when the detailed procedure is contrary to the limitations on the operation. .Iaddend. .Iadd.29. An apparatus including a computer comprising:   (1) memory means for storing information forming a knowledge base including (a) data as facts expressed as at least one identifier portion indicative of a state of an object and a corresponding value portion, and   (b) rules including IF parts and corresponding THEN parts, each of the IF parts and corresponding THEN parts including an identifier portion and a corresponding value; and     (2) means for carrying out a processing program including interpretation of the knowledge base for guidance including (a) means for searching the knowledge base in accordance with a predetermined fact for comparing facts and rules so as to obtain at least one of an IF part or THEN part of a rule as a result of the comparison,   (b) means responsive to the searching means for utilizing the comparison result as a new fact for searching of the knowledge base by the searching means,   (c) means responsive to no comparison result from the searching means for terminating the search of the knowledge base, and   (d) means responsive to termination of the search of the knowledge base by the terminating means for outputting a result of carrying out the     
     
     
        processing program. .Iaddend. .Iadd.30.  An apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the means for carrying out a processing program further includes: (1) means for inputting data of the object;   (2) means responsive to the storing means for utilizing the actual status of all the members of the object indicating a state of the object as different facts, each having an identifier portion indicative of the state of the object and a corresponding value;   (3) means responsive to the utilizing means for searching the knowledge base to obtain an IF part of a rule in accordance with a predetermined fact when utilizing the predetermined fact as a THEN part of the rule;   (4) means responsive to the searching means for predicting the status of all members after a given period of time has passed in accordance with the IF part obtained as a new fact; and   (5) means responsive to the predicting means for searching the knowledge base to determine whether or not the actual status of the members are   
     
     
        present in the predicting status of the members. .Iaddend. .Iadd.31.  An apparatus according to claim 30, further comprising means for selecting an operation plan including: (1) means for listing at least one operation plan;   (2) means responsive to the listing means for predicting the status of the members when the selected operation plan is put into practice for a given period of time;   (3) means responsive to the predicting means for determining whether or not the selected operation plan should be selected;   (4) means responsive to the determining means for repeatedly carrying out selection of another operation plane in accordance with the selected operation plan until no operation plan is selected; and thereafter   (5) means responsive to the repeatedly carrying out means for selecting an operation plan from among the operation plans thus obtained. .Iaddend.   
     
     
        .Iadd.32.  An apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the means of selecting an operation plan includes means for retrieving data indicating the operation plan corresponding to the predicted status of the members. .Iaddend. .Iadd.33. An apparatus according to claim 31, further comprising: (1) means responsive to the selecting means for obtaining a detailed procedure for the selected operation plan;   (2) means responsive to the detail means for determining whether the detailed procedure is contrary to the limitations on the operation; and   (3) means responsive to the determining means for selecting another operation plan when the detailed procedure is contrary to the limitations on the operation plan. .Iaddend. .Iadd.34. An apparatus according to claim 31, further comprising means for determining the status of the members arising as a consequence of the predicted status of the members. .Iaddend. .Iadd.35. An apparatus according to claim 34, wherein the status of the status of the members arising as a consequence of the predicted status of the members is obtained by retrieving data providing a cause and   
     
     
        consequence relationship. .Iaddend. .Iadd.36.  A method comprising the steps of: (1) storing a data base forming a knowledge base including (a) data as facts expressed as at least one identifier portion indicative of the state of an object and a corresponding value portion, and   (b) rules including IF parts and corresponding THEN parts, each of the IF parts and corresponding THEN parts including an identifier portion and a corresponding value; and     (2) carrying out a processing program including interpretation of the knowledge base for guidance including (a) searching the knowledge base in accordance with a predetermined fact for comparing facts and rules so as to obtain at least one of an IF part or THEN part of a rule as a result of the comparison,   (b) utilizing the comparison result as a new fact for searching the knowledge base,   (c) terminating the search of the knowledge base when no comparison result is obtained, and   (d) outputting a result of carrying out the processing program in response     
     
     
        to termination of the search of the knowledge base. .Iaddend. .Iadd.37.  A method according to claim 36, further comprising the steps of: (1) inputting data of the object,   (2) utilizing the actual status of all members of the object indicating a state of the object as different facts, each having an identifier portion indicative of the state of the object and a corresponding value,   (3) searching the knowledge base to obtain an IF part of a rule in accordance with a selected fact when utilizing the selected fact as a THEN part of a rule,   (4) predicting the status of all members after a given period of time has passed in accordance with the IF part obtained as a new fact, and   (5) searching the knowledge base to determine whether or not the actual status of the members are present in the predicted status of the members. .Iaddend. .Iadd.38. A method according to claim 37, further comprising the step of selecting an operation plan including the steps of   (1) predicting the status of the plant members when the selected operation plan is put into practice for a given period of time,   (2) determining whether or not the selected operation plan should be selected,   (3) repeatedly carrying out selection of an operation plan in accordance with the selected operation plan until no operation plan is selected, and thereafter   (4) selecting an operation plan from among the operation plans thus   
     
     
        obtained. .Iaddend. .Iadd.39.  A method according to claim 38, wherein the step of selecting an operation plan includes the step of retrieving data indicating the operation plan corresponding to the predicted status of the members. .Iaddend. .Iadd.40. A method according to claim 38, further comprising the steps of: (1) obtaining a detail procedure for the selected operation plan,   (2) determining whether the detail procedure is contrary to the limitations on the operation, and   (3) selecting another operation plan when the detail procedure is contrary   
     
     
        to the limitations on the operation. .Iaddend. .Iadd.41.  A method according to claim 38, further comprising the step of determining the status of the members arising as a consequence of the predicted status of the members. .Iaddend. .Iadd.42. A method according to claim 41, wherein the status of the members arising as a consequence of the predicted status of the members is obtained by retrieving data providing a cause and 
     
     
        consequence relationship. .Iaddend. .Iadd.43.  An apparatus including a computer comprising: (1) memory means for storing data forming a knowledge base including (a) data as facts expressed as at least one identifier portion indicative of a state of an object and a corresponding portion, and   (b) rules including IF parts and corresponding THEN parts, each of the IF parts and corresponding THEN parts including an identifier portion and a corresponding value; and     (2) means for carrying out a processing program for interpretation of the knowledge base including (a) means for searching the knowledge baes in accordance with a selected fact for comparing facts and rules so as to obtain at least one of an IF part or THEN part of a rule as a result of the comparison,   (b) means responsive to the comparison result of the searching means for terminating the search of the knowledge base, and   (c) means responsive to the terminating means terminating the search of the knowledge base for outputting a result of carrying out the processing     
     
     
        program. .Iaddend. .Iadd.44.  An apparatus according to claim 43, wherein the means for carrying out a processing program further includes (1) means for inputting data of the object,   (2) means for utilizing the actual status of all members of the object indicating an state of the object as different facts, each having an identifier portion indicative of the state of the object and a corresponding value, and   (3) means for searching the knowledge base to obtain an IF part of a rule in accordance with a selected fact when utilizing the selected fact as a THEN part of a rule. .Iaddend. .Iadd.45. An apparatus according to claim 44, further comprising means for selecting an operation plan including   (1) means for predicting the status of the members when the selected operation plan is put into practice for a given period of time,   (2) means for determining whether or not the selected operation plan should be selected,   (3) means for repeatedly carrying out selection of an operation plan in accordance with the selected operation plan until no operation plan is selected, and thereafter   (4) means for selecting an operation plan from among the operation plans thus obtained. .Iaddend. .Iadd.46. An apparatus according to claim 45, wherein the means of selecting an operation plan includes means for retrieving data indicating the operation plan corresponding to the predicted status of the members. .Iaddend. .Iadd.47. An apparatus according to claim 45, further comprising:   (1) means for obtaining a detail procedure for the selected operation plan, and   (2) means for determining whether the detail procedure is contrary to the limitations on the operation, and means for selecting another operation plan when the detail procedure is contrary to the limitations on the   
     
     
        operation. .Iaddend. .Iadd.48.  An apparatus according to claim 45, further comprising the means of determining the status of the members arising as a consequence of the predicted status of the members. .Iaddend. .Iadd.49. An apparatus according to claim 48, wherein the status of the members arising as a consequence of the predicted status of the members is obtained by retrieving data providing a cause and consequence 
     
     
        relationship. .Iaddend. .Iadd.50.  A method comprising the steps of: (1) storing a data base forming a knowledge base including (a) data as facts expressed as at least one identifier portion indicative of a state of an object and a corresponding value portion, and   (b) rules including IF parts and corresponding THEN parts, each of the IF parts and corresponding THEN parts including an identifier portion and a corresponding value;     (2) carrying out a processing program including interpretation of the knowledge base including the steps of (a) searching the knowledge base in accordance with a selected fact for comparing facts and rules so as to obtain at least one of an IF part or THEN part of a rule as a result of the comparison, and   (b) terminating the search of the knowledge base in response to the comparison result, and outputting a result of carrying out the processing program in response to termination of the search of the knowledge base.     
     
     
        .Iaddend. .Iadd.51.  A method according to claim 50, further comprising the steps of: (1) inputting data of the object   (2) utilizing the actual status of all members of the object, indicating a state of the object as different facts, each having an identifier portion indicative of the state of the object and a corresponding value, and   (3) searching the knowledge base to obtain an IF part of a rule in accordance with a selected fact when utilizing the selected fact as a THEN part of a rule. .Iaddend. .Iadd.52. A method according to claim 50, further comprising the step of selecting an operation plan including the steps of:   (1) predicting the status of the plant members when the selected operation plan is put into practice for a given period of time,   (2) determining whether or not the selected operation plan should be selected,   (3) repeatedly carrying out selection of an operation plan in accordance with the selected operation plan until no operation plan is selected, and thereafter   (4) selecting an operation plan from among the operation plans thus obtained. .Iaddend. .Iadd.53. A method according to claim 52, wherein the step of selecting an operation plan includes the step of retrieving data indicating the operation plan corresponding to the predicted status of the members. .Iaddend. .Iadd.54. A method according to claim 52, further comprising the steps of:   (1) obtaining a detail procedure for the selected operation plan, and   (2) determining whether the detail procedure is contrary to the limitations on the operation, and   (3) selecting another operation plan when the detail procedure is contrary   
     
     
        to the limitations on the operation. .Iaddend. .Iadd.55.  A method according to claim 52, further comprising the step of determining the status of the members arising as a consequence of the predicted status of the members. .Iaddend. .Iadd.56. A method according to claim 55, wherein the status of the members arising as a consequence of the predicted status of the members is obtained by retrieving data providing a cause and 
     
     
        consequence relationship. .Iaddend. .Iadd.57.  A process comprising the steps of: (1) storing information forming a knowledge base in memory means of a computer including (a) data as facts expressed to be at least one identifier as a state of an object and corresponding values,   (b) rules including IF parts and corresponding THEN parts with at least one value for an identifier;     (2) storing a processing program in memory means of the computer, the processing program enabling interpretation of the knowledge base by (a) searching the knowledge base for comparing facts and rules,   (b) comparing facts with one of IF parts or THEN parts of the rules to obtain at least one of an IF part or THEN part as a result of the comparison,   (c) adding new facts to the knowledge base as a result of the comparison,   (d) terminating the search of the knowledge base, and outputting a result of carrying out the processing program; and     (3) running the processing program for interpretation of the knowledge   
     
     
        base. .Iaddend. .Iadd.58.  A process according to claim 51, further comprising the steps of: (1) inputting data of the object,   (2) utilizing the actual status of all members of the object indicating a state of the object as different facts, each having an identifier portion indicative of the state of the object and a corresponding value,   (3) searching the knowledge base to obtain an IF part of a rule in accordance with a selected fact when utilizing the selected fact as a THEN part of a rule,   (4) predicting the status of all members after a given period of time has passed in accordance with the IF part obtained as a new fact, and   (5) searching the knowledge base to determine whether or not the actual status of the members are present in the predicted status of the members. .Iaddend. .Iadd.59. A process according to claim 58, further comprising the step of selecting an operation plan including the steps of:   (1) predicting the status of the plant members when the selected operation plan is put into practice for a given period of time,   (2) determining whether or not the selected operation plan should be selected,   (3) repeatedly carrying out selection of an operation plant in accordance with the selected operation plan until no operation plan is selected, and thereafter   (4) selecting an operation plan from among the operation plans thus obtained. .Iaddend. .Iadd.60. A process according to claim 59, wherein the step of selecting an operation plan includes the step of retrieving data indicating the operation plan corresponding to the predicted status of the members. .Iaddend. .Iadd.61. A process according to claim 59, further comprising the steps of:   (1) obtaining a detail procedure for the selected operation plan, and   (2) determining whether the detail procedure is contrary to the limitations on the operation, and   (3) selecting another operation plan when the detail procedure is contrary   
     
     
        to the limitations on the operation. .Iaddend. .Iadd.62.  A process according to claim 59, further comprising the step of determining the status of the members arising as a consequence of the predicted status of the members. .Iaddend. .Iadd.63. A process according to claim 62, wherein the status of the members arising as a consequence of the predicted status of the members is obtained by retrieving data providing a cause and 
     
     
        consequence relationship. .Iaddend. .Iadd.64.  A process comprising the steps of: (1) storing information forming a knowledge base in memory means of a computer including (a) data as facts expressed to be at least one identifier as a state of an object and corresponding values,   (b) rules including IF parts and corresponding THEN parts with at least one value for an identifier;     (2) storing a processing program in memory means of the computer, the processing program enabling interpretation of the knowledge base for guidance by (a) searching the knowledge base for comparing facts and rules,   (b) comparing facts with one of IF parts or THEN parts of the rules to obtain at least one of an IF part or THEN part as a result of the comparison, and   (c) terminating the search of the knowledge base, and outputting a result of carrying out the processing program; and     (3) running the processing program for interpretation of the knowledge base   
     
     
        for guidance. .Iaddend. .Iadd.65.  A process according to claim 64, further comprising the step of selecting an operation plan including the steps of: (1) predicting the status of the plant members when the selected operation plan is put into practice for a given period of time,   (2) determining whether or not the selected operation plan should be selected,   (3) repeatedly carrying out selection of an operation plan in accordance with the selected operation plan until no operation plan is selected, and thereafter   (4) selecting an operation plan from among the operation plans thus   
     
     
        obtained. .Iaddend. .Iadd.66.  A process according to claim 64, further comprising the steps of: (1) inputting data of the object,   (2) utilizing the actual status of all members of the object indicating a state of the object as different facts, each having an identifier portion indicative of the state of the object and a corresponding value, and   (3) searching the knowledge base to obtain an IF part of a rule in accordance with a selected fact when utilizing the selected fact as a THEN part of a rule. .Iaddend. .Iadd.67. A process according to claim 66 or 65, further comprising the steps of:   (1) obtaining a detail procedure for the selected operation plan, and   (2) determining whether the detail procedure is contrary to the limitations on the operation, and   (3) selecting another operation plan when the detail procedure is contrary to the limitations on the operation. .Iaddend. .Iadd.68. A process according to claim 65, wherein the step of selecting an operation plan includes the step of retrieving data indicating the operation plan corresponding to the predicted status of the members. .Iaddend. .Iadd.69. A process according to claim 65, further comprising the step of determining the status of the members arising as a consequence of the   
     
     
        predicted status of the members. .Iaddend. .Iadd.70.  A process according to claim 69, wherein the status of the members arising as a consequence of the predicted status of the members is obtained by retrieving data 
     
     
        providing a cause and consequence relationship. .Iaddend. .Iadd.71.  A method comprising the steps of: (1) storing information including rules relating to status of a system in a memory of a computer, each of the rules having a cause portion and a corresponding consequence portion,   (2) inputting data of the status of the system,   (3) making interferences based upon the inputted data in accordance with rules stored in the memory,   (4) predicting time-variant changes in the status of the system by utilizing the inputted data in accordance with the interferences made, and   (5) terminating the making of interferences in accordance with the predicted changes of the status of the system. .Iaddend.