Dr. Charles F. Moore

My research interests are in process control and related areas. Most of our work is supported by industry and addresses some of the many problems and technologies. The current areas of focus includes the following: Process Analysis: One of the biggest challenges in industrial control is developing a clear understanding of the control problem. Generally, if the operational problems are clearly understood, the resulting control solution is simpler and more effective. This research activity focuses on developing tools and methodologies for analysis of processes from the perspective of operation and control. Much of our work is focused developing tools which can be used on proposed process designs as well as existing processes. Control Structures: Another major challenge in industrial control is selecting an appropriate basic control structure. The basic control structure is defined by the inventory and production control systems. At this level the control problems are minimal but the structure chosen can greatly impact the performance and complexity of the higher level control system (i.e. those systems that address quality, efficiency, throughput, etc.). Our research in this area is focused on developing analysis and design tools that help identify structures that do not inadvertently create problems at these higher levels. Control Strategy: Our research focus also includes the control strategy level. Many exciting control technologies (i.e. MPC, Neural Networks, Fuzzy Logic, AI and Expert Systems, etc.) are being considered for various chemical process control applications. Application areas include both continuous and batch processes. System Cultivation: As industrial control technology becomes more sophisticated it becomes increasingly important to have reliable systems to monitor the control system to insure high performance. Considerable work has been done at the University of Tennessee to develop such systems. We call this process control focus "system cultivation" to imply that the purpose of such systems are more than problem detection. Such systems should be designed to also provide feedback which can be used to learn so that overall performance of the process and its control system can be continually improved. Measurement for Control: In recent years one increasingly significant component of our research is working closely with the design of new measurement systems. Advances in spectroscopy, fiber optics, microelectronics, computers, and statistical methods have increased the possibility for a new generation of measurement equipment. The role of our group has been to integrate the process control requirements into the design of these systems. The broad object of this work is to provide tools and methodologies that help both the control and the measurement community better understand the critical role that the measurement system plays in the operation and control of industrial processes.

• A.A. Garrison, C.F. Moore, J.J. Roberts, P.D. Hall, "Distillation Process Control Using Fourier Transform Raman Spectroscopy," Process Control and Quality, 3 (1992) pp. 57-63.
• Luyben, W.L. (editor), Practical Distillation Control, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1992 (Author of Chapter 8).
• Luyben, W.L. (editor), Practical Distillation Control, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1992 (Author of Chapter 8).
• Stahl, M. and G. Bounds (Eds), Competing Globally Through Customer Value: The Management of Strategic Supersystems, Quorum Books, Westport, CT, April 1991 (Author of Chapter 11).
• Roat, Farell, Moore, "Application of Neural Networks and System Cultivation to a Nonlinear Optimal Control Algorithm," AIChE National Meeting, November 1990.
• K.E. Kirby, M.G. Leitnaker, C.F. Moore, G.B. Ranney and R.D. Sanders, "Engineering Control Systems and Quality Improvement in Manufacturing," Quality Progress, December 1990, Vol XXIII, No. 12.
• Prett, D.M. Carlos Garcia and Brian Ramaker, The Second Shell Process Control Workshop, Butterworth Publishers, Stoneham, Maryland, 1989 (Contributing author).
• Moore, C.F, "What and Who is in Control? A Process Control Perspective on Statistical Process Control," An Invited Distinguished Paper Presented at the Shell Process Control Workshop, December 1988.