ESR—A large knowledge-based system project of european power generation industry

摘要

The paper presents an integrated knowledge-based system aimed at providing technical support to engineers performing assessment and management of remaining life of the high-temperature pressurized components, mainly piping, in power plants. The system (ESR) is being developed at MPA Stuttgart (Germany) with support and under sponsorship of seven European electric utility companies. The initial requirements imposed by the utilities have been met by integrating various sources of knowledge, information, and data, as well as various information technology tools and techniques. The expert system modules use both production rules and object-oriented programming (decision/analysis support) and rely strongly on other integrated software: hypermedia (documentation base and explanation facility), numerics (engineering calculi), and data bases (material, standard geometries, etc.).