Energy-predictive control: a new synthesis approach for nonlinear process control

The present work proposes a new controller synthesis framework, that is bas ed on the methodological principles of Lyapunov design. A notion of short-h orizon energy-predictive control is introduced, that predicts and optimizes the rate of energy dissipation of the system and leads to the derivation o f a continuous state feedback control law. The control law possesses two ad justable parameters that directly influence the size of the closed-loop sta bility region and the performance characteristics. The derived state feedba ck law may be combined with an open-loop state observer, leading to a dynam ic output feedback controller with integral action. Finally, the performanc e of the proposed controller design methodology is evaluated in a chemical reactor example, that exhibits nonminimum-phase characteristics. (C) 1999 E lsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.