Application of Wiener model predictive control (WMPC) to an industrial C2-splitter

Dual composition control of a high-purity distillation column is recognized as an industrially important, yet notoriously difficult control problem. I t is proposed, however, that Wiener models, consisting of a linear dynamic element followed in series by a static nonlinear element, are ideal for rep resenting this and several other nonlinear processes. They are relatively s imple models requiring little more effort in development than a standard li near step response model, yet offer superior characterization of systems wi th highly nonlinear gains. Wiener models may be incorporated into MPC schem es in a unique way that effectively removes the nonlinearity from the contr ol problem, preserving many of the favorable properties of linear MPC, espe cially in the analysis of stability. In this paper, Wiener model predictive control is applied to an industrial C2-splitter at the Orica Olefines plan t with promising results. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserve d.