Error detection for chemical plant automation logic using supervisory control theory

In this paper a method for detecting errors in the discrete logic of hybrid systems is applied to chemical plant automation systems. The method relies on the application of supervisory control theory to a discrete abstraction of the hybrid system that models the plant and controller. A set of general operability requirements are also presented that can be applied to any automation system to detect common operability problems. A small example is included to demonstrate the method and its application.