Models, representing a system under study with respect to problems such as process design, process control, product synthesis and many more, are at the core of most computer-aided solution techniques. The representation of a system through a model is done in different ways, such as, symbols, data, mathematical equations, and/or some combination of these. The workflow or process of creating a proxy mathematical representation (model) of a given target system is referred to as modeling. Model-based software tools incorporate the developed models within the steps of their systematic workflow through simultaneous or decomposed solution strategies related to synthesis, design, analysis, etc., of specific systems. In this perspective paper we highlight the various ways systems can be represented by models, the different ways the required models are developed through modeling techniques, and examples of model-based software tools developed to solve different process and product engineering problems. Two types of systems - process systems and chemical systems, are considered. Important issues and challenges are highlighted and perspectives on how they can be addressed are presented.

AbstractThis paper presents a multi-agent based and artificial intelligence augmented computer-aided software tool, Hybrid-AI-sep, with problem solving and education modules for the important topic of design of separation operations. Three types of agents are employed by Hybrid-AI-sep, a library of knowledge-tools containing theory, concepts, and glossary terms related to separation operations; a library of database tools consisting of different types of measured data; and a library of computational tools that generate problem specific data that may be needed for decision making and explanation for the problem solution and educational modules. The paper presents software architecture together with examples of the three types of agents. Illustrative examples highlighting various features of Hybrid-AI-sep are given in the main manuscript and the supplementary material.