PhD studentship available

[Colin Reeves]

The following research position is available:

Would interested candidates please contact Colin Reeves in the first 
instance (CRReeves at coventry.ac.uk) with a CV. 

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Project Proposal

The application of artificial  intelligence to the control of large, complex 
gas transmission systems.

Control Theory and Applications Centre, and 	BG Transco, 
Coventry University				System Control, Hinckley 

Background.

BG Transco is responsible for the transportation and storage of natural gas 
in Britain. In general, gas is delivered to coastal terminals where it enters 
the Transco pipeline system. System Control manages and controls the flow of 
gas from these terminals to 18 million consumers. 

System Control is organised into 5 control centres which operate on a 24 hour 
basis 365 days a year. There is one National Control Centre (NCC) and 4 Area 
Control Centres (ACCs). In each of the control centres small teams of 
engineers are responsible for the provision of a secure and economic gas 
transportation system. 

To achieve this, the engineers need to develop best practices and apply 
these  consistently to the operation of the pipeline systems. This project 
will investigate the  possible application of Artificial Intelligence 
techniques to  support the operation of these large, complex gas 
transmission systems.

Methodology

The Control Theory and Applications Centre at Coventry University has 
successfully applied AI methods, including neural nets, fuzzy systems, 
genetic algorithms etc, to complex control problems. It is intended in this 
project to extend these approaches to the gas pipeline systems of Transco. 

This will involve firstly the selection (in close collaboration with Transco 
System Control) of a suitable subsystem for a feasibility study. Historical 
records of this subsystem will be used to identify important variables, and 
then to extract knowledge in the form of rules. Knowledge elicitation from 
the experts (the operations engineers) will also be carried out. Probable 
techniques include the use of neuro-fuzzy methods and the application of 
genetic algorithms or other heuristics in mining the data archives. 

At appropriate times it is required that a competent report will be presented 
to Transco. In addition there will be  opportunities to present the work at 
conferences or to publish  through technical journals. 

The successful candidate will register for a PhD, working under the 
supervision of Colin Reeves at Coventry University. 

Candidate profile

The student should have a first degree (at least a 2i) or MSc in an 
appropriate technological or engineering subject. Good general mathematical 
and computing skills are more important than the specific subject of the 
degree. It would be an advantage to have previous knowledge of AI methods 
such as those mentioned above. Knowledge of control systems and databases 
would also be useful, and the candidate needs to possess the appropriate 
inter-personal skills to work in an operational engineering environment. 

The candidate should be eligible for UK fees, which means he/she will most
likely be a citizen of a member state of the European Union - other
candidates are normally subject to higher fees. 

Timescale
The project will commence in September 1997 and will last for 3 years.