Abstract
The application of artificial intelligence (AI) and expert systems techniques to process management tasks within the Iron and Steel Industry is now gaining wide acceptance. This paper describes the development and application of software tools which have been successful in significantly reducing the time required to produce real-time expert system prototypes.
BHP's SHERPA (System for HEuristic Real-time Process Assistance) is a facility which integrates modules for knowledge base development, signal processing, operator displays, on-line numerical models and data base storage. TABLEAUX, is a decision table based knowledge acquisition tool which can be used in combination with SHERPA for developing real-time expert system applications. Three examples of prototypes being developed for sinter plants, blast furnaces and continuous casters, using SHERPA, are described.
The use of the SHERPA and TABLEAUX facilities has enabled real-time expert system prototypes to be built over periods of weeks. In a number of cases the resultant prototype has shown sufficient functionality to attract requests for immediate implementation as production systems.
