Automation of Automation: Mapping LLM Capabilities to the Modular Plant Engineering Workflow

Research output: Contribution to conferencesPaperContributedpeer-review

Abstract

Large Language Models (LLMs) have shown promising capabilities in supporting and automating a variety of clearly defined, structured tasks. The engineering of modular plants also follows standardized workflow structures and uses standardized artifacts such as P&IDs, flow diagrams or HAZOPs. Therefore, the engineering of modular plants has the potential to be significantly supported or automated by AI tools. The articles objective is to determine which aspects of the modular plant engineering workflow could be supported or automated by LLMs. This is done by reviewing the current state of the art and combining the modular plant engineering workflow which LLM-based capabilities for engineering support. This leads to two results. First, a mapping of current LLM capabilities to the steps within the modular plant engineering workflow. Second, a theoretical assessment of the general LLM capabilities in terms of their usefulness for the tasks within the modular plant engineering workflow. All in all, the proposed mapping of LLMs to the modular plant engineering workflow provides an overview of the ways in which LLMs can support engineers. In addition, the LLM capability assessment provides insights into the current state of the LLMs abilities and highlights where further research and development is needed.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages1-8
Number of pages8
Publication statusPublished - 9 Sept 2025
Peer-reviewedYes

Conference

Title30th IEEE International Conference on Emerging Technologies and Factory Automation
Abbreviated titleETFA 2025
Conference number30
Duration9 - 12 September 2025
Website
Degree of recognitionInternational event
LocationUniversity of Porto
CityPorto
CountryPortugal

External IDs

ORCID /0000-0001-5165-4459/work/191533914
ORCID /0000-0003-3368-4130/work/191534640
Scopus 105021812534

Keywords

Keywords

  • modular plant, process control systems, large language model, artificial intelligence