MATHEMATICAL-MODELING AND EXPERT-SYSTEM INTEGRATION FOR OPTIMUM CONTROL STRATEGY OF MSF DESALINATION PLANTS

On the basis of the experience acquired with the design and operation of the process control system of Umm Al Nar East desalination plants (in operation since May 1988), a further development of this kind of control system is presented. The possible improvements derive from a suitable subdivision of tasks between a traditional algorithmic system and an expert system based on artificial intelligence techniques. In the first one, calculations are performed by means of mathematical models to evaluate the main process parameters, while the actuation of the calculated set points and the management of the corresponding plant transient conditions are carried out by the expert system using the rules in its knowledge base.