Control asset comparative performance analysis system and methodology

Abstract

A system and method is provided for determining the variability induced on a process output. The method includes the analysis of input variable values to determine the total variability. A series of processes may be analyzed and ranked so that a process owner may gain an understanding of how a target process performs relative to the processes of other process owners. The method includes the generation of graphical process comparisons and advice regarding asset performance. The method also includes the estimation of cost impacts due to changes in induced variability.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A computer implemented method for estimating the economic value of closing performance gaps of an industry unit comprising the steps of:
 determining, by a processor, output variability for the unit;   determining, by a processor, overall induced variability for the unit;   determining, by the processor, overall variability reduction ratio for the unit;   determining, by the processor, a benchmark achievable standard deviation for the unit based on overall induced variability and overall variability reduction ratio for the unit;   determining a performance gap for the unit based on the benchmark achievable standard deviation and the output variability of the unit; and   estimating the economic value corresponding to improving the performance gap for the unit.   
     
     
         2 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the economic value is estimated for increasing the unit's production yield. 
     
     
         3 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the economic value is estimated based on the increase in the unit's product yield and the price of the product produced by the unit. 
     
     
         4 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1  wherein the economic value is estimated for improving the unit's energy savings. 
     
     
         5 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the economic value is estimated for improving the unit's capacity. 
     
     
         6 . A system for estimating the economic value of closing performance gaps of an industry unit comprising:
 a server, comprising:   a processor, and   a storage subsystem;   a database stored by the storage subsystem comprising:   operational performance data for the unit comprising input and output variable values;   a computer program stored by the storage subsystem, when executed causing the processor to:   determine output variability for the unit;   determine overall induced variability for the unit;   determine overall variability reduction ratio for the unit;   determine a benchmark achievable standard deviation for the unit based on overall induced variability and overall variability reduction ratio for the unit;   determine a performance gap for the unit based on the benchmark achievable standard deviation and the output variability of the unit; and   estimate the economic value corresponding to improving the performance gap for the unit.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the economic value is estimated for increasing the unit's production yield. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the economic value is estimated based on the increase in the unit's product yield and the price of the product produced by the unit. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the economic value is estimated for improving the unit's energy savings. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the economic value is estimated for improving the unit's capacity.