An Ontology-based Approach to Conceptual Process Modelling

The development of mathematical models for process systems can start from conceptual modelling, which is defined as characterizing the process system to be modelled by physicochemical concepts. The resulting conceptual model serves as a basis to further derive a mathematical model. In this paper, we propose to develop conceptual models using an ontology that represents a conceptualization of process systems. A tool applying this approach refers to generic concepts from the ontology and presents them to the modeller in a proper manner. Specific conceptual models can then be generated by instantiating these concepts. This approach has been implemented in a prototypical software tool. The advantages of this approach include simple realization and easy processing of the resulting conceptual models, mainly due to the use of common ontology tools. This approach also holds the potential of promoting information reuse.