Collaboration with Linde and Siemens on Generative AI

We are thrilled to share the launch of an innovative collaboration in the field of process systems engineering. The Process Intelligence Research Group at Delft University of Technology, in partnership with Siemens and Linde, is embarking on a new project: the development of the P&ID Co-Pilot, a Generative AI tool designed to revolutionize the creation of Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs).

P&IDs are essential to the process development phase, serving as the blueprint for the design and operation of process systems. Recognizing the complexity and critical nature of developing accurate and efficient P&IDs, our collaboration aims to uses Generative AI to innovate and streamline this process.

Our approach is inspired by the success of end-to-end transformer-based models in human language translation. We are adapting this technology to the field of process engineering by proposing a data-driven method that predicts control structures through the translation of Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs) into P&IDs. By utilizing the SFILES 2.0 notation to represent P&IDs and PFDs as strings, we leverage established transformer-based language models to facilitate this translation task.

This collaboration is uniquely positioned to drive innovation in process engineering. By combining the practical process engineering expertise of Linde with the technological and software development prowess of Siemens, and underpinned by the cutting-edge research conducted by the Process Intelligence Research Group at Delft University of Technology, we are creating a synergy that promises to deliver unparalleled advancements in the field.

What makes this collaboration particularly exciting is the opportunity to blend real-world engineering insights with the latest in technology and AI research. This ensures that our developments are not only technologically advanced but also deeply rooted in the practical needs and realities of process engineering.

We are just at the beginning of this exciting journey and are eager to share our progress with you. Stay tuned for updates on our first results and milestones as we move forward with the P&ID Co-Pilot project. Together, we are setting the stage for a new era in process engineering, where innovation and efficiency are at the forefront.