Whaddya Know? Literature Search Method Case Study

To paraphrase Donald Rumsfeld, We don’t know what we don’t know.
That’s true. Unfortunate, but true.
Here’s another paraphrase from a great sage known as Anonymous … Sometimes, we don’t know what we DO know.

And that is the theme of this post … i.e., how do we know what we DO know?

A recent study on the integration of Building Information Modelling (BIM) with Additive Manufacturing (AM) illustrates the point.

The authors demonstrate that, while there is literature on both BIM and AM, there are gaps between the two that can be revealed in a systematic way.

The aim of the study is “to synthesize and aggregate the literature addressing BIM integration in the AM of concrete structures and to exploit the joint value creation potential.”

The authors use bibliometric mapping to identify, map and synthesize the relevant literature. Scoping review is then used to examine the extent, gap, range and nature of the research activity. Finally, they offer a cross- situational analysis, TOWS Matrix, to exploit the joint value creation potential of different aspects of AM and BIM.

In other words, they take “literature search” to a new level.

Here is the abstract of the article describing the study …

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Construction Innovation: Information, Process, Management (October 2019)
https://www.cibworld.nl/site/about_cib/encouraged_journals/details.html?encid=10
On the potential of integrating Building Information Modelling (BIM) for the Additive Manufacturing (AM) of concrete structures
Abstract
Purpose: Additive Manufacturing (AM) and Building Information Modelling (BIM) are emerging trends for which it has been claimed that both increase both efficiency and productivity in the construction industry. The aim of this study is to synthesise and aggregate the literature addressing BIM integration in the AM of concrete structures and to exploit the joint value creation potential. Design/methodology/approach: This study firstly applies a mixed-review method in order to achieve mutual corroboration and interdependency between quantitative and qualitative research approaches. Bibliometric mapping is applied to identify, map and synthesise the relevant literature. Scoping review is used to examine the extent, gap, range and nature of the research activity. Afterward, a cross- situational analysis, TOWS2 Matrix, is proposed and applied to exploit the joint value creation potential of different aspects of AM and BIM. Findings: The study reveals a substantial interest in this field. However, progress in terms of integration is slow compared to the rapid development in interest in the two trends individually. The literature discusses or conceptualises such integration at building-scale, while prototyping or PoC processes are only rarely employed. The study identified 12 joint value creation potentials through the integration of BIM in AM for concrete structures, which can create value by enabling more optimised designs, automated construction processes, and data analytics that can apply throughout the building life-cycle process. Originality/value: The advancements of BIM integration in the AM of concrete structures are analysed and joint value creation potentials are proposed. The study proposes a cross-situation analysis that can be applied to structure joint value creation potentials from the multi-dimensional integration of different factors and topics, especially for emerging technologies 
Additive Manufacturing (AM) and Building Information Modelling (BIM) are emerging trends within the construction industry. It has been argued that both have transformed the industry by increasing efficiency and productivity. According to the US National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS, 2019), BIM is "a digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility". According to the American Society for Testing and Materials (Technologies and Terminology, 2012), AM is defined as “the process of joining materials to make objects from 3D model data, usually layer upon layer, as opposed to subtractive manufacturing methodologies”.
Free full text source: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/336927625_On_the_potential_of_integrating_Building_Information_Modelling_BIM_for_the_Additive_Manufacturing_AM_of_concrete_structures
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TIP #1: Consider applying the bibliometric / scoping analysis / TOWS approach to the topic of interest to your organization.

TIP #2: You might also consider employing the expertise of your organization’s librarian in this endeavor. It can save you a lot of time.

Who’s the Mboss? (Helium Consulting)

Somebody (I can’t remember who) once said, "When things get too heavy, just call me helium, the lightest known gas to man."

An article in a recent edition of PTQ-Petroleum Technology Quarterly (http://www.eptq.com/) alerted me to an India based company called Helium Consulting (http://www.heliumconsulting.com/). It is an interesting article, well written and illustrated, as we expect from an article published in PTQ.

So it got me wondering about the company … and about helium, one of the noble gases listed in the periodic table.

Helium, He, is one of the most plentiful gases in the universe. And yet, it was not discovered until August 18th, 1868, by French astronomer Jules Janssen, who observed it on the sun during a solar eclipse. Shortly thereafter, other scientists noticed that we have quite a bit of this gas right here on earth.

Helium is one of the “noble gases,” so called because, in general, they do not react to anything. To quote Anne Marie Helmenstine, “The ability to avoid reacting when provoked—to turn up one's nose and ignore lesser human foibles—is largely considered a noble trait in humans.”

The PTQ article, written by people from Helium Consulting, is called “Digitalisation in refining and petrochemicals: The introduction of IIoT technologies is helping two companies improve their decision making and performance”, and includes a couple of case studies. The first case study features a product called Mboss, described in the following excerpt.

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The refinery in question decided to implement Helium Consulting’s sulphur specific IIoT offering, Mboss, to help plan and execute optimisation, followed by monitoring and control through detailed analysis, expedited corrective actions and use of automated algorithms in real time. This platform implements and leverages (if not already implemented) multiple independent applications in the plant on one platform to provide an optimised solution. Mboss is a proprietary software platform written especially for sulphur systems in the refining, petrochemicals and gas industries.
source: PTQ Q4 2019 (www.eptq.com)
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I was intrigued, and decided to Google® Mboss for more information. I found nothing. Not even on the Helium Consulting Web site. This is surprising for a product featured in an article of the caliber of PTQ.

In fact, search results for Helium Consulting, the company, are unrewarding as well.

Apparently the company is as elusive as its 19^th century namesake, is difficult to find.

TIP: Read the article. If it interests you, don’t bother to Google®. Go right to the source: solutions@heliumconsulting.com with any questions you may have.

You Can Advance to the Rear (NOT recommended) OR you can PTQ

The best way to advance your career is to be good at what you do.

You can enhance that advancement by telling others about how you did good on a particular project.

Enter PTQ – Petroleum Technology Quarterly (www.eptq.com). As PTQ says on its Web site …

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For 23 years, PTQ’s independent editorial policy and reputation within the industry have allowed us to provide the most relevant content, highlighting the latest developments in the global refining, gas and petrochemical processing industries.

These articles provide refiners with the in-depth information they need on the processes, products and services necessary to design, build, operate and maintain their plants more efficiently, as well as increase their margins.

Together with Technology in Action’s concise articles and Q&A, this makes PTQ an established and popular forum for conversation between technology providers and our worldwide readership of decision makers in the downstream oil and gas industry.

You can download PTQ's Media Details HERE (http://www.eptq.com/mediapack/ptqmediapack.pdf ), which includes the 2020 Editorial Calendar, highlighting the subject areas we’ll be covering in each issue of PTQ, as well as our Catalysis, Gas and Revamps supplements.

As usual, we are seeking contributions that describe practical applications of established technology in the form of case studies, along with details of new developments in the world of refining, gas and petrochemical processing technology.
 
In the first instance, please send your editorial suggestions to Chris Cunningham editor@petroleumtechnology.com
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For example, a few of the suggested topics for 2020 Q2 …

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PTQ Q2 (2020 APR-MAY-JUN) Suggested Topics

• Catalysts for Bottoms Cracking
• Regenerating and Recycling
• Coker Technologies
• Opportunity Crudes
• Hydrogen Production
• Crude/Vacuum Systems
• Hydrotreating
• Raffinate Production
• Gasoline Blending
• Operational Excellence
• Resid Upgrading
• Steam Reforming
• Filtration & Separation
• Packing Developments
• Sulphur Recovery & Removal
• Sour Gas Processing
• Refinery Gas Treating
• Amine Processes
• Hydrogen Management
• Shale Gas Processing
• Control Systems
• Compressors
• Analysers

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TIP: Visit http://www.eptq.com/mediapack/ptqmediapack.pdf to view a complete list of all the topics PTQ is interested in for the coming year. Then examine your previous projects to determine if you might have something useful to contribute.