47th SIMS Conference, SIMS 2006, September 28-29, 2006 in Helsinki, Finland

The 47th Conference on Simulation and Modelling – SIMS 2006 was organised at The House of Sciences and Letters in Helsinki during 27-29 September 2006.

The conference was arranged by the Finnish Automation Forum (FinSim) under the auspices of the Scandinavian Simulation Society (SIMS), i.e. the Scandinavian branch of EUROSIM – the Federation of European Simulation Societies. The SIMS history dates back to 1959, and the SIMS conference takes place in the four Nordic countries. FinSim, which is a section of the Finnish Society of Automation (FSA), represents SIMS in Finland. The FSA, founded in 1953, is a professional association for specialists within the field of automation technology. The FSA operations cover all branches of the industry. The members represent various fields of automation, including trade, research, manufacturing, education, design and use. FinSim acts as a discussion forum for simulationists on various research and application areas. The purpose is attained by increasing knowledge about modelling and simulation, promoting technology transfer of simulation applications, collecting and disseminating M&S related information, and cooperating with national and international organisations.

The call for papers gained numerous submissions reflecting current trends in developments in modelling and simulation. The papers contained herein are based on abstracts selected by the International Programme Committee (IPC). Thereafter, the successful contributors were invited to submit a complete draft paper. These papers were evaluated by the IPC. The review comments were taken into account in preparing the final manuscripts. The selection process resulted in an excellent two-day program comprising 45 papers organized into 10 sessions.

The contributed papers are organized into two tracks: methodology and applications, both with five sessions. Two methodology sessions are devoted on simulation in control and decision making. Numerical methods for distributed parameter systems concentrate on computational fluid dynamics. Simulation in training and education deals with new programming tools, mobile and remote technology and distributed interactive simulation. The session on modelling and simulation tools and technology ranges from ontology to software development. The application oriented sessions cover various industrial sectors. Simulation in energy sector has two sessions dealing with boilers, cogeneration systems, solar energy, power plant design and oil and gas processes. Simulation in ecosystems and biotechnology has various topics, ranging from drug dosage and pot plants to brewing and ecosystems. Simulation in pulp and paper industry covers paper machines and several types of pulp processes. Simulation in process and manufacturing industry combines multi-phase process models with analysis of chemical and metallurgical processes and manufacturing. Methodology papers and application papers have a considerable overlap since the methodologies are tested in some applications and the applications use new methodologies.

In addition to the contributed papers, two prominent researchers were invited to give keynote lectures in their respective fields of competence. Professor Rihard Karba from University of Ljubjana, Slovenia, presents a view on the role of modelling and simulation in biopharmacy through case studies. Dr. Leif Hammarström from Neste Jacobs presents requirements and viewpoints on simulators in the chemical process industry.

Modelling and simulation software is focused in tutorials, vendor presentations and exhibition. Tutorials are given by Adept Scientific Nordic, Comsol, The MathWorks and the Modelica Association. Adept Scientific Nordic, Comsol, The MathWorks, Medeso and Process Flow present their products in vendor sessions. Tutorials and vendor presentations are not included in the proceedings. The sponsors, including also Numerola and VTT, present their products also in the exhibition.