Speaker
Description
Modern process analysis and control generates a lot of data, especially in the high technology “Chemistry-using” industries. Optimising production of chemicals, drugs, food etc. requires multiple contributions across different disciplines to make sure that data from in situ analysers are correctly obtained, and that the data are used along with other process information to allow intelligent performance monitoring and real-time control.
The Centre for Process Analytics and Control Technology (CPACT) was formed in 1997 to provide a forum where the inventers, vendors and users of monitoring and control hardware and software could meet, exchange knowledge, do research and promote best practice. One of the thought-leaders and champions of CPACT was Professor Julian Morris FREng who sadly died in 2020. This talk will describe how the founding principles of CPACT have evolved to serve the current community of 45 international member organisations, and it will reflect on the contributions that Julian Morris made in the fields of multivariate statistical process control, process performance modelling and soft sensors. Given the increasing profile of the Industry 4.0 initiative, it is timely to reflect on how key components of this initiative are not new and were researched by Julian and his peers 20-30 years ago.
David Littlejohn is the Philips Professor of Analytical Chemistry at the University of Strathclyde. He was a founding member of the Centre for Process Analytics and Control Technology (CPACT) and is currently the Operations Director.