Expert system for selection of phase equilibrium models

An expert system—ESPEM (Expert System for selection of Phase Equilibrium Models)—to assist in selecting suitable vapour-liquid equilibrium thermodynamic models according to given operating conditions, system characteristics, and computation requirements for thermodynamic properties etc. is presented. ESPEM is written in Prolog, and is developed as a frame-based expert system. A menu-driven user-interface is included to make it easy for novice engineers to use and understand. Capability of numerical calculations for phase equilibrium problems is also included to provide for subsequent applications, such as process design and simulation. Three typical vapour-liquid phase equilibrium systems are examined to demonstrate the capability and the reliability of ESPEM in suggesting phase equilibrium thermodynamic models and in performing supplementary numerical calculations. ? 1992 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.