Towards cloud-based Control-as-a-Service for modular Process Plants

BACKGROUND: Computational and data-intensive technologies such as model predictive control and artificial intelligence have the potential to increase process yields in the process industry. In modular plant designs, the flexible and difficult-to-predict use of a particular module presents the challenge of providing the right amount of data, computing power, and storage capacity to use these technologies in each module.OBJECTIVE: Simplifying the deployment and reconfiguration of compute-intensive applications for modular plants.METHODS: Reviewing the current state of the art and combining the modular plant concept with a cloud-based Control-as-a-Service (CaaS) approach.RESULTS: A cloud-based, containerized CaaS concept that supports the deployment compute- and data-intensive methods for modular plants. The complementing communication stack consisting of standards such as APL, TSN and OPC UA FX.CONCLUSION: The proposed architecture simplifies IT/OT integration, eases the deployment of compute-intensive technologies, and allows for GMP compliant pre-qualification of software modules. However, the limiting factors like plant safety, conformity to regulations and widespread architecture adoption are not covered in detail and will be subject of future research.