4. Conclusions
This article analyzed a mode of intelligent chemical industry, proposed a framework of a cyber-physical system as the basic platform for the mode based on the characteristics of chemical industry and embodying the requirements of the industry development. The key techniques of CPS were also studied, including big data techniques and knowledge system based on rigorous online modeling. As a case, an intelligent rectification column was explored, which could meet the column’s operational requirements in terms of feedback time, stability, robustness, etc. Following were the main achievements: (1) Aiming for online optimization, the structure of intelligent rectification column based on CPS was established, characterized by three-agent structure, multi process integration, and online optimization, which contained almost all the basic elements of chemical unit operations except chemical reaction, and therefore had a certain general significance. But different chemical unit operation had different timeliness requirements, different requirements for stable control, and different requirements for reliability assurance. This was why the intellectualization of chemical industry was much more difficult than that of discrete industries. So the applicability and performance of the proposed structure need continuously improving.