Control strategies analysis for a batch distillation column with experimental testing

The dynamic nature and the non-linear behaviour of batch distillation equip ment pose challenging control system design when products of constant purit y are to be recovered. Several alternative column configurations and operat ing policies have been studied. However, issues related to the on-line oper ation of such process have not been properly addressed. The present work de scribes the investigation with experimental verification of computer based control strategies to batch distillation: a programmable adaptive controlle r (PAC), a self-tuning regulator (STR) and a non-linear model predictive co ntrol (MPC). The developed control systems made the conventional batch dist illation column more efficient and easy to operate. Experiments performed o n the pilot column confirm the simulation results. (C) 2000 Elsevier Scienc e S.A. All rights reserved.