Computer Support for Theory-Based Modeling of Process Systems

Abstract:
Providing support for process systems modeling is challenging due to the variety of modeling concepts used in process systems engineering. Using a model in different life cycle stages of a production process usually leads to lots of different model variants. Modelers with different expertise require different types of support. No current approach to process systems modeling provides enough flexibility to support all characteristics of these dimensions. This work presents a new flexible approach to process systems modeling. The generic concept of a theory is introduced to accommodate the full variety of modeling concepts. The theory concept also provides new hooks to easily derive new model variants and to reuse information already captured for earlier model variants. The modeling toolkit ModKit+ demonstrates the applicability of the concepts. The architectural principles of ModKit+ can serve as reference for future modeling environments supporting modelers with different expertise and goals.