Towards cloud-based Control-as-a-Service for modular Process Plants

BACKGROUND: Computational and data-intensive technologies such as model predictive control and artificial intelligence have the potential to increase process yields in the process industry. In modular plant designs, the flexible and difficult-to-predict use of a particular module presents the challe...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inProceedings (IEEE International Conference on Emerging Technologies and Factory Automation) pp. 1 - 4
Main Authors Vogt, Lucas, Klose, Anselm, Khaydarov, Valentin, Vockeroth, Christian, Endres, Christian, Urbas, Leon
Format Conference Proceeding
LanguageEnglish
Published IEEE 12.09.2023
Subjects
cloud
Computer architecture
containerization
Limiting
Maintenance engineering
modular plant
process control systems
Regulation
Reliability
Safety
Software
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Summary:BACKGROUND: Computational and data-intensive technologies such as model predictive control and artificial intelligence have the potential to increase process yields in the process industry. In modular plant designs, the flexible and difficult-to-predict use of a particular module presents the challenge of providing the right amount of data, computing power, and storage capacity to use these technologies in each module.OBJECTIVE: Simplifying the deployment and reconfiguration of compute-intensive applications for modular plants.METHODS: Reviewing the current state of the art and combining the modular plant concept with a cloud-based Control-as-a-Service (CaaS) approach.RESULTS: A cloud-based, containerized CaaS concept that supports the deployment compute- and data-intensive methods for modular plants. The complementing communication stack consisting of standards such as APL, TSN and OPC UA FX.CONCLUSION: The proposed architecture simplifies IT/OT integration, eases the deployment of compute-intensive technologies, and allows for GMP compliant pre-qualification of software modules. However, the limiting factors like plant safety, conformity to regulations and widespread architecture adoption are not covered in detail and will be subject of future research.
ISSN:1946-0759
DOI:10.1109/ETFA54631.2023.10275544