AUTO_SAFE: An expert controller for sequential and batch sequential processes

It is generally recognised that industrial processes depend heavily on sequential control. Paradoxically, this technique of control has received from control theorists, less attention than it deserves. In view of its logical basis, this class of control is an ideal candidate for rule-based expert systems. Features of one such expert system are presented in this paper, along with observations related to the development of expert systems for process control.