AI and BD in Process Industry: A Literature Review with an Operational Perspective

Among digital technologies, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data (BD) have proven capability to support different processes, mainly in discrete manufacturing. Despite the fact that a number of AI and BD literature reviews exist, no comprehensive review is available for the Process Industry (i.e. cements, chemical, steel, and mining). This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of AI and BD literature to gain insights into their evolution supporting operational phases of the Process Industry. Results allow to define the areas where AI/BD are proven to have greater impact and areas with gaps like for example the process control (predictive models) area, machine learning and cyber-physical systems technologies. The sectors lagging behind are Ceramics, Cement and non-ferrous metals. Areas to be studied in the future include the interaction between intelligent systems. humans and the external environment, the implementation of AI for the monitoring and optimization of parameters of different operations, ethical and social impact.