Dynamics of a distillation column with distributed and conventional approach using multivariable control with adjustment based on multiple errors

Communications, Computing and Control Applications (CCCA), 2011 International Conference on, Issue Date: 3-5 March 2011, page(s): 1 – 6, Hammamet
Dynamics of a distillation column with distributed and conventional approach using multivariable control with adjustment based on multiple errors
Marangoni, C.; Teleken, J.G.; Parisotto, I.G.B.; Werle, L.O.; Bolzan, A.; Machado, R.A.F.;
Process Eng. Master's Program, Univ. of Joinville Region - Univille, Joinville, Brazil 
Abstract
Compares an application of a multivariable conventional control structure of the continuous tray distillation columns  to a new distributed proposal. The top and bottom product temperatures of the distillation column were selected as controll variables and the reflux ratio and reboiler heat supply as manipulated variables. These loops plus an intermediate temperature column stage controlled using the heat supply of one tray as the manipulated variable comprised the distributed control structure.
Authors’ intent was to compare the time response of the process when subject to an expected disturbance using two different approaches. Experiments performed with multivariable PI controllers and the multiple errors of each control variable were used to compute the control actions. Better performance in relation to transition time was observed with the distributed approach.  This suggests a strategy which could be used to minimize the transients in a distillation column.
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