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 energy savings for a process comprising the steps of:
 collecting a plurality of datasets of input variable values for the process;   calculating the standard deviations for each of the processed datasets of the input variable values;   collecting a set of standard deviation benchmarks corresponding to at least one input variable;   calculating, by a processor, a difference between the standard deviation of at least one input and at least one corresponding standard deviation benchmark; and   estimating, by the processor, energy savings corresponding to the difference.   
     
     
         2 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , including the additional step of:
 processing the plurality of datasets of input variable values to remove outliers.   
     
     
         3 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 2 , wherein the step of processing the input variable values and the output variable values comprises:
 removing data errors.   
     
     
         4 . A computer-implemented method for automating the presentation of advice on estimated energy savings for a process comprising the steps of:
 collecting a plurality of input variable values datasets;   calculating the standard deviations for each of the input variable values datasets;   collecting a set of standard deviation benchmarks corresponding to the input variable values;   calculating, by a processor, an induced variability between the standard deviation of input variable values and the related standard deviation benchmark;   estimating the energy savings corresponding to the induced variability; and   generating advice based on the calculated the estimated energy savings.   
     
     
         5 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 4 , including the additional step of:
 processing the plurality of datasets of input variable values to remove outliers.   
     
     
         6 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 5 , wherein the step of processing the input variable values and the output variable values comprises:
 removing data errors.   
     
     
         7 . A computer-implemented method for automating the presentation of advice on estimated energy savings for a process comprising the steps of:
 selecting a set of input variables;   selecting a set of energy consumption variables the variability of which is related to the variability of the selected input variables;   collecting a plurality of datasets of input variable values and energy consumption variable values for the selected set of input variables and energy consumption variables;   calculating energy consumption variability of each of the energy consumption variable values datasets;   calculating, by a processor, induced variability of each of the energy consumption variable values dataset;   calculating the variability ratio for each of the energy consumption variable values datasets; and   generating advice based on the calculated induced variability and the estimated energy savings.   
     
     
         8 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 7 , including the additional step of:
 processing the plurality of datasets of input variable values and energy consumption variable values to remove outliers.   
     
     
         9 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 8 , wherein the step of processing the input variable values and energy consumption variable values comprises:
 removing data errors.   
     
     
         10 . A system comprising:
 a server, comprising:   a processor, and   a storage subsystem;   a database stored by the storage subsystem comprising:   input and output data;   a computer program stored by the storage subsystem, when executed causing the processor to:   collect a plurality of datasets of input variable values;   calculate the standard deviations for each of the processed datasets of the input variable values;   collect a set of standard deviation benchmarks corresponding to at least one input variable;   calculate the difference between the standard deviation of at least one input and at least one corresponding standard deviation benchmark; and   estimate the savings related to the difference.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the computer program, when executed, further causes the processor to:
 process the plurality of datasets of input variable values to remove outliers.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein processing of the plurality of datasets of input variable values comprises:
 removal of data errors.   
     
     
         13 . A system for automating the presentation of advice on estimated energy savings for a process comprising:
 a server, comprising:   a processor, and   a storage subsystem;   a database stored by the storage subsystem comprising:   input data and standard deviation benchmark data related to the input data;   a computer program stored by the storage subsystem, when executed causing the processor to:   select a plurality of input variable values datasets;   calculate the standard deviations for each of the input variable values datasets;   select a set of standard deviation benchmarks corresponding to the input variable values;   calculate an induced variability between the standard deviation of input variable values and the related standard deviation benchmark;   estimate the energy savings corresponding to the induced variability; and   generate advice based on the calculated the estimated energy savings.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the computer program, when executed, further causes the processor to:
 process the plurality of datasets of input variable values to remove outliers.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14  wherein processing of the plurality of datasets of input variable values comprises:
 removal of data errors. 
 
     
     
         16 . A system for automating the presentation of advice on estimated energy savings for a process comprising:
 a server, comprising:   a processor, and   a storage subsystem;   a database stored by the storage subsystem comprising:   input variable value datasets and related energy consumption variable value datasets;   a computer program stored by the storage subsystem, when executed causing the processor to:   select a set of input variables;   select a set of energy consumption variables the variability of which is related to the variability of the selected input variables;   select a plurality of datasets of input variable values and energy consumption variable values for the selected set of input variables and energy consumption variables;   calculate energy consumption variability for each of the energy consumption variable values datasets;   calculate induced variability of each of the energy consumption variable values datasets;   calculate the variability ratio for each of the energy consumption variable values datasets; and   generating advice based on the calculated induced variability and the estimated energy savings.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the computer program, when executed, further causes the processor to:
 process the plurality of datasets of input variable values to remove outliers.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein processing of the plurality of datasets of input variable values comprises:
 removal of data errors.