ONLINE OPTIMIZATION OF A MODEL-IV FLUID CATALYTIC CRACKING UNIT

This paper presents the application of an on-line constrained optimiza tion algorithm to the simulation of a Model IV Fluid Catalytic Crackin g Unit (the well known Amoco challenge problem proposed by McFarlane e t al. Dynamic simulator for a model IV fluid catalytic cracking unit. Comp. & Chem. Engng. 17 (3) (1993) 275-300.). The original model is mo dified to include reaction yields by incorporating the model of an FCC by Lee and Groves, Mathematical model of the fluidized bed catalytic cracking plant. Trans. Sec. Comput. Simulat. 2 (1985) 219. The optimiz ation algorithm, Supervisory Multivariable Constrained Optimization (S MCO) developed by (Daniel et al., An algorithm for supervisory multiva riable constrained optimization of industrial processes. Chem. Engng. Comm. 130 (1994) 203-223.). is applied to the simulation of the FCC Un it and tested for feed composition and ambient temperature disturbance s. SMCO is designed for on-line implementation in distributed control systems and to minimize a real cost function. (C) 1998 Elsevier Scienc e Ltd. All rights reserved.