| Author: | Yung, Kin-wai |
| Title: | Respiratory protection expert system |
| Degree: | M.Sc. |
| Year: | 1996 |
| Subject: | Expert systems (Computer science) Respiratory organs -- Diseases -- Prevention Breathing apparatus -- Testing -- Data processing Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations |
| Department: | Multi-disciplinary Studies |
| Pages: | viii, 290 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm |
| Language: | English |
| Abstract: | Because of the increase in awareness of the importance of respiratory protection, there is a great need of respiratory protection equipment. Choosing respiratory protection equipment is a rather complicated process, many factors, such as concentration of airborne contaminants, form of contaminant, chemical nature of contaminant, and so on, are need to be considered. To avoid misusing respiratory protection equipment, qualified experts, such as industrial hygienist, are recommended to be advised. For those small scale factories, they may not be able to afford qualified experts for such safety issue. On the other hand, even with experts, workplaces' evaluation may take a very long time. In addition, number of workplaces is much greater than qualified experts. Hence, there is a need for another tools to help people choosing suitable respiratory protection equipment. Expert system would be a good tool to help people choosing the right respiratory protection equipment. There are some expert systems helping user to choose respiratory protection equipment in the market. However, all of them are only running on traditional rule-based algorithm. To get recommendation from the system, unless user can input all the required information by the system, no recommendation can be obtained from the system. However, in real life, most users usually do not know all the required information. Hence, these expert systems may not be helpful to users. To handle the problem, an expert system, besides traditional rule-based algorithm, with some artificial intelligent elements is developed. The system provides two functions to user: respirator recommendation and organic vapour filter media service life estimation. To get recommendation from the system, users are required to input oxygen content, identity (name or CAS number) of the airborne contaminant, country standard that user is following, and concentration of the contaminant. Base on the input, if the input substance is in the system database, by rule-based algorithm, recommendation will be given out. However, if user does not know the identity of airborne contaminant, the system will let user choose one of the listed occupations that is closest to user's job nature, by heuristic matching, recommendation still can be given out. On the other hand, if the contaminant identity cannot be found in the system database, it will be treated as a new organic chemical. The system will estimate its service life with organic vapour filter media with the same algorithm as service life estimation function. User is required to input the chemical natures and working environment parameters into the system. During the input phase, user can input incomplete information. With fuzzy logic, the system can help user estimate contaminant concentration, workplace temperature, and workplace relative humidity. With rule-based reasoning, the system can help user guess the saturated vapour pressure of contaminant from information about structure of the substance. With the help of all these AI elements, if complete data is still not available, generic algorithm and case-based reasoning will be employed. By comparing with past cases in database, similar case in the database will be modified as recommendation for the new case. |
| Rights: | All rights reserved |
| Access: | restricted access |
Files in This Item:
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| b12249300.pdf | For All Users (off-campus access for PolyU Staff & Students only) | 9.42 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
Copyright Undertaking
As a bona fide Library user, I declare that:
- I will abide by the rules and legal ordinances governing copyright regarding the use of the Database.
- I will use the Database for the purpose of my research or private study only and not for circulation or further reproduction or any other purpose.
- I agree to indemnify and hold the University harmless from and against any loss, damage, cost, liability or expenses arising from copyright infringement or unauthorized usage.
By downloading any item(s) listed above, you acknowledge that you have read and understood the copyright undertaking as stated above, and agree to be bound by all of its terms.
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
https://theses.lib.polyu.edu.hk/handle/200/4833