A nonlinear model-predictive control strategy is developed to maintain the superior-to-steady-state performance of a periodically forced... Show moreA nonlinear model-predictive control strategy is developed to maintain the superior-to-steady-state performance of a periodically forced chemical reactor. The performance of the predictive con troller is investigated in the presence of measurement disturbances and parametric uncertainty. It is also shown that statistically inferred input-output models can be a substitute whenever detailed fundamental models are not available. A nonlinear autoregressive polynomial model based on observed plant data is built and incorporated into the control scheme. The catalytic oxidation of ethylene in a periodically-forced, continuous stirred-tank reactor is considered as the test case. Endnote format citation Show less
A system identification based method for assessing the performance of closed-loop systems is proposed, utilizing measures which coincide... Show moreA system identification based method for assessing the performance of closed-loop systems is proposed, utilizing measures which coincide naturally with classical and modern frequency domain design specifications. Standard robust control system design methodologies seek to maximize closed-loop performance, subject to strict robustness requirements and include specifications for bandwidth and peak magnitude of the sensitivity and complementary sensitivity functions. Estimates of these transfer functions can be obtained by exciting the reference input with a zero mean, pseudo random binary sequence, observing the process output and error response, and developing a closed-loop model. Performance assessment is based on the comparison between the observed frequency response characteristics and the design specifications. Selection of appropriate model structures, experiment design, and model validation which will ensure reasonable estimates of the closed-loop transfer functions are considered in this paper. A case study involving the performance assessment of a packed bed tubular reactor control system is presented. Endnote format citation Show less
The integration of a supervisory knowledge-based system (KBS) with a multivariable control system is examined to provide robust multivariable... Show moreThe integration of a supervisory knowledge-based system (KBS) with a multivariable control system is examined to provide robust multivariable control of a chemical reaction process. The supervisory KBS is capable of monitoring the process to detect system faults as well as assessing control system performance. If a control system performance deficiency is detected, the KBS formulates and implements the necessary corrective controller tuning. This adaptive capability reduces the conservatism of the robust control system. The underlying mechanisms are discussed and the re-tuning ability of the KBS is illustrated by using rigorous simulations of a chemical reaction process Endnote format citation Show less
