OBJECT-ORIENTED KNOWLEDGE-BASED SYSTEMS FOR PROCESS EQUIPMENT SELECTION

Two protoytype knowledge-based systems for shell and tube heat exchanger and liquid mixing equipment selection (HESES and MIXES) have been developed by use of NEXPERT OBJECT and TOOLBOOK on a PC computer. In the whole system developing procedure the object-oriented approach was used and the object matrix method was proposed to make knowledge acquisition and programming more reasonable, flexible and easier. The object matrixes are stored in MS EXCEL spreadsheet files that constitute a primary expert interface for knowledge modification. The knowledge bases are organized by a multi-knowledge based technique and the message is transferred among them through a blackboard.