System and method for determining equivalency factors for use in comparative performance analysis of industrial facilities

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and method for determining equivalency factors for use in comparative performance analysis of industrial facilities by determining a target variable and a plurality of characteristics of the target variable. Each of the plurality of characteristics is ranked according to value. Based on ranking value, the characteristics are divided into categories. Based on the sorted and ranked characteristics, a data collection classification system is developed. Data is collected according to the data collection classification system. The data is validated, and based on the data, an analysis model is developed. The analysis model then calculates the equivalency factors.

1 . A method for determining equivalency factors in an industrial facility, comprising: 
 determining a target variable;    determining a plurality of characteristics of the target variable;    classifying the plurality of characteristics;    collecting data with respect to the characteristics;    determining an equivalency factor for each of the plurality of characteristics using an optimization model.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the optimization model is any non-linear optimization method.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the optimization model is a linear optimization method.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 determining a percentage variation value for each of the plurality of characteristics;    dividing the plurality of characteristics into at least two categories based on the percentage variation value; and    grouping characteristics in one of the at least two categories based on a relationship of the characteristics.    
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 dividing the plurality of characteristics into a first category, a second category and a third category;    determining a relationship between the characteristics in the first category; and    grouping the characteristics in the first category that have a common relationship.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 creating a developed characteristic by determining a mathematical relationship between a first one of the plurality of characteristics and a second one of the plurality of characteristics.    
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 using the equivalency factor to compare a first facility and a second facility.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 adjusting a target variable of a first facility using the equivalency factor;    adjusting a target variable of a second facility using the equivalency factor; and    comparing the adjusted target variable of the first facility against the adjusted target variable of the second facility.    
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 selecting a benchmark facility.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising: 
 calculating a performance gap value between a first facility and the benchmark facility.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 calculating a performance gap value between a first facility and a second facility using the equivalency factor.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 classifying a first facility into a performance subgroup in accordance with the ratio of the first facility's actual target variable to the first facility's actual target variable adjusted using the equivalency factor.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 ranking a first facility and a second facility in accordance with the first facility's actual target variable adjusted using the equivalency factor and the second facility's actual target variable adjusted using the equivalency factor.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 calculating performance gaps using subgroups derived through the use of the equivalency factor.    
     
     
         15 . A method for determining equivalency factors, comprising: 
 determining a target variable;    determining a plurality of characteristics of the target variable;    determining a percentage variation value for each of the plurality of characteristics;    dividing the plurality of characteristics based on the percentage variation value into a first category, a second category and a third category;    determining a relationship between the characteristics in the first category;    grouping the characteristics in the first category that have a common relationship;    classifying the characteristics in the second category and the grouped characteristics;    combining the grouped characteristics and the characteristics in the second category;    collecting data with respect to the combined characteristics;    creating at least one developed characteristic by determining a mathematical relationship between a first one of the combined characteristics and a second one combined characteristics; and    using a non-linear optimization model to determine equivalency factors by reducing an error value between an actual value of the target variable and a predicted value of the target variable using collected data of the combined characteristics and the at least one developed characteristic.    
     
     
         16 . A system for determining equivalency factors, comprising: 
 a target variable for an industrial facility;    a plurality of characteristics of the target variable;    data for each of the plurality of characteristics; and    a computer-readable medium comprising a plurality of instructions for execution by at least one computer processor, the instructions for: 
 determining a mathematical relationship between a first one of the combined characteristics and a second one combined characteristics; and  
 reducing an error value between an actual value of the target variable and a predicted value of the target variable using the data of the combined characteristics and the at least one developed characteristic.  
   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the target variable for an industrial facility is a target variable for a refining facility.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the target variable for an industrial facility is a target variable for a petrochemical facility.  
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the target variable for an industrial facility is a target variable for a pipeline facility.  
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the target variable for an industrial facility is a target variable for a pipeline system.  
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the target variable for an industrial facility is a target variable for a tank farm facility.  
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the target variable for an industrial facility is a target variable for a combined pipeline and tank farm facility.  
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the target variable for an industrial facility is a target variable for a power generating facility.  
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the target variable for an industrial facility is a target variable for a power distribution facility.  
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the target variable for an industrial facility is a target variable for a Olefins plant.  
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the target variable for an industrial facility is a target variable for a chemical manufacturing facility.  
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the target variable for an industrial facility is a target variable for an environmental aspect.  
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the target variable is the total operating expense of an industrial facility.  
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the target variable is the operating cost of an industrial facility.  
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the target variable is a financial result of operation of an industrial facility.