Supporting Refinery Operation with Digital Technologies
We are implementing various initiatives to achieve safe and stable operations as well as to further efficiency in our refineries, our company’s primary sources of revenue. Among these initiatives, the acquisition and application of digital technologies, such as machine learning and AI, are regarded as key missions of our Central Technical Research Laboratory. Here, we will present examples of how digital technology is being utilized at the Central Technical Research Laboratory to address various challenges at the refineries, categorized into three segments: Prediction and Soft Sensor Development, RPA and Automation, and Generative AI Utilization.
Prediction and Soft Sensor Development
At the Central Technical Research Laboratory, we contribute to enhancing the profitability of refineries through predictions using machine learning and the development of soft sensors. Soft sensors are technologies that use measurable and comprehensible information in real-time to predict product characteristics and other factors that are difficult to measure directly and in real-time. This technology enables real-time understanding of monitored product characteristics, facilitating swift and optimal operational adjustments. Development of accurate predictive models necessitates an understanding of our refineries’ processes and the acquisition of domain knowledge. Therefore, we will continue to work closely with refinery personnel to provide practical and effective solutions.
RPA and Automation
In today's workplace, there is a growing demand for the optimization of routine tasks and a shift towards more value-added activities. Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is a technology that enables the delegation of repetitive routine tasks to robots or software programs, serving as a powerful tool for enhancing operational efficiency. At our laboratory, we utilize programming languages and RPA tools to automate routine tasks in refineries such as the use of process simulators and the preparation of corrosion environment monitoring reports, which are generated monthly for all refineries. These automations fully cover the entire cycle of data collection, computation, aggregation, and output, allowing employees to devote their time to other tasks. We will continue to leverage this technology to contribute to company-wide operational efficiency improvements.
Generative AI Utilization
In recent years, generative AI has been rapidly progressing, and our company is actively utilizing it across various workplaces. At the Central Technical Research Laboratory, in addition to using chat services available via web browsers, we are also developing proprietary services using generative AI APIs. The advantages of using APIs include enabling conversations with generative AI within programs, allowing for the automation of instructions to generative AI and the integration of AI-generated responses into subsequent programs. For example, the Central Technical Research Laboratory is working on developing services utilizing generative AI APIs to achieve smart safety in refineries. By keeping abreast of the rapidly progressing trends in generative AI, we are committed to contributing to operational innovation across the company.