Ontology Approach for Co-Use of 3D Plant Modelling and Large Scale Process Simulation

Traditionally plant designand process simulation applications are separated, but increasing use of simulation to support design and validation drives to find means for integration. We propose an ontology-based method for combining 3D plant modelling, large scale process simulation, and visualization. The use of ontologies allows clear distinction of a plant model and a simulation model, which enables multiple simulation models and simulation types to be used with the same plant model. Another contribution is that the same user interface and same visualization techniques can be used with different simulators.