Optimization in the Operation of Process Plant through Genetic Programming

Abstract

In the operation of process plant, it is experienced during abnormal conditions that the attendant has to face problem of confusing state because of many alarms. The unwanted alarms have to be suppressed, and thus involving the experience of the operator and in the case of automatic system, computer time is required to bring the system into normal condition. In this paper we propose a novel methodology called Genetic Programming (GP). This technique is a variant of Genetic Algorithms (GAs) that evolves on a dynamic length tree representations on the basis of fitness function. Such tree representations are interpreted as parse trees for a computer program. The initial population consisting of superior individuals and inferior individuals used to create two parent parse trees. These parent parse trees are then combined to generate off-spring population. Here the methodology is to provide assistance to the attendant indicating that plant's behaviour is drifting away from the normal operation and presence of the factors leading to malfunction. The strategy is to minimize error and optimize the operation. The implementation of Genetic Programming approach is shown in tabular form and validity of the approach is verified by a graph providing the state of art during three cases: worse case of generation, best case of generation and average fitness of the population. Further the results thus obtained are compared with the Genetic Algorithms-based fuzzy expert system for the optimization problem. Genetic programming demonstrates the usefulness over other approach in regard to simplicity and faster in response in solving the problem but lacks in flexibility which GA-based fuzzy expert system possesses.

Indexing terms:

• Hierarchical composition
• S-expression
• Reproduction
• Crossover
• Standardized fitness
• Wrapper

Additional information

Notes on contributors

G P Basal

G P Basal, holds the degree of ME in Electronics and ME in Computer Engineering. Recently, he has submitted PhD thesis entitled as Investigation in design and development of Real time Knowledge based system. He has over 30 years of experience in teaching undergraduate and post-graudate classes. He has published 3 technical papers in the journals of international status and 10 papers in the proceedings of International Conferences and 24 papers in the proceedings of National Conferences. His fields of interest are; Evolutionary Algorithms, Other Soft Computing tools, Microprocessor applications, Parallel Processing, Transputer applications etc. He is currently working as Head, Computer Science and Engineering Department, S A T I (Engg College) Vidisha (M P) India. He is member of IEEE, LM of ISTE, SM of ICCPI and member of other societies.

Alok Jain

Alok Jain, obtained his BE in Electronics & Instrumentation from Samrat Ashok Technological Institute, Vidisha (MP) in July 1988, MTech in Computer Science & Technology from University of Roorkee, Roorkee, in April 1992. Since December 1996, he is working as a Reader in the Department of Electronics & Instru-mentation, Samrat Ashok Technological Institute, Vidisha. He had received Young Scientists Fellowship from Madhya Pradesh Council of Science & Technology (MPCOST), Bhopal in 1993 to work as short term research scholar at Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.

His Academic interest includes Genetic algorithms, Fuzzy Logic, and Digital Signal Processing. He has published research papers at various Journals/Conferences. He has reviewed research papers for publication in International Journal of Microprocessors & Microsystems. He is a member of IETE, IEI, ISTE, India, and IEE, UK.

A K Tiwari

A K Tiwari, did his Engineering graduation in 1969 and ME, in 1971. He did his PhD from IIT Delhi on CAD design of millimeter wave circuits. He joined Maulana Azad College of Technology (A Regional Engineering College) in 1975 and presently working as professor in Department of Electronics and Computer Science and Engineering. He has published many research papers in National and International journals on design of special transmission lines and on parallel processing. He is fellow of IETE, member of IEEE and other societies.