Using Qualitative, Numerical and Heuristic Knowledge to support Innovative Design

A computational account of innovative design that integrates qualitative, numerical and heuristic knowledge is presented. Qualitative and numerical models are used to represent the physical knowledge of the application domain . The design knowledge for the domain is encapsulated in a set of heuristic rules organized in terms of deFigure 1: Typical computer-aided design environment. sign strategies and a set of configuration synthesis rules that provide the procedures for changing the design description. The application area we are investigating is the synthesis of multicomponent separation sequences in chemical engineering. A system is presented that supports multiple evolutionary strategies for the design of separation systems. We show how such an integrated approach generates complex designs similar to those presented in the chemical engineering design literature.