Generalized generic model control of high‐purity internal thermally coupled distillation column based on nonlinear wave theory

A new model‐based control strategy for the internal thermally coupled distillation column (ITCDIC) is presented. Based on the nonlinear wave theory that describes the nonlinear dynamics in the separation processes, a simplified nonlinear wave model is established that concerns both the wave propagation and the profile shape. An advanced controller (WGGMC) is formulated by combining the nonlinear wave model with a generalized generic model control (GGMC). Compared with a conventional generic model controller based on a data‐driven model (TGMC), and another wave‐model based generic model controller (WGMC) developed in our previous work, WGGMC exhibits the best performances in both servo control and regulatory control. Furthermore, WGGMC can handle a very‐high‐purity system of ITCDIC with top product composition of 0.99999, while the other two controllers fail to work. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 4133–4141, 2013     

Development of a new soft sensor method using independent component analysis and partial least squares

Soft sensors are used widely to estimate a process variable which is difficult to measure online. One of the crucial difficulties of soft sensors is that predictive accuracy drops due to changes of state of chemical plants. To cope with this problem, a regression model can be updated. However, if the model is updated with an abnormal sample, the predictive ability can deteriorate. We have applied the independent component analysis (ICA) method to the soft sensor to increase fault detection ability. Then, we have tried to increase the predictive accuracy. By using the ICA‐based fault detection and classification model, the objective variable can be predicted, updating the PLS model appropriately. We analyzed real industrial data as the application of the proposed method. The proposed method achieved higher predictive accuracy than the traditional one. Furthermore, the nonsteady state could be detected as abnormal correctly by the ICA model. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009     

Ensemble locally weighted partial least squares as a just‐in‐time modeling method

The predictive ability of soft sensors, which estimate values of an objective variable y online, decreases due to process changes in chemical plants. To reduce the decrease of predictive ability, adaptive soft sensors have been developed. We focused on just‐in‐time soft sensors, especially locally weighted partial least squares (LWPLS) regression. Since a set of hyperparameters in an LWPLS model has to be set beforehand and there is only onedataset, a traditional LWPLS model is difficult to accurately predict y‐values in multiple process states. In this study, we propose to combine LWPLS and ensemble learning, and predict y‐values with multiple LWPLS models, whose datasets and sets of hyperparameters are different. The weights of LWPLS models are determined based on Bayes’ theorem, considering their predictive ability. We confirmed that the proposed model has higher predictive accuracy than traditional models through numerical simulation data and two industrial data analyses. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 62: 717–725, 2016     

Parametric and nonparametric model based control of a packed distillation column

Parametric and nonparametric model based control systems were applied to control the overhead temperature of a packed distillation column separating methanol–water mixture. Experimental and theoretical studies have been done to observe the efficiency and performance of both control systems. Generalized predictive control (GPC) system based on a parametric model has been tried to keep the overhead temperature at the desired set point. First, a parametric model which is controlled auto regressive integrated moving average (CARIMA) was developed and then the parameters of this model were identified by applying pseudo random binary sequence (PRBS) and using Bierman algorithm. After that this model was used to design the GPC system. Tuning parameters of the GPC system have been calculated using the simulation program of the packed distillation column. Using the predicted parameters, experimental and theoretical GPC systems were found very effective in controlling the overhead temperature. Dynamic matrix control (DMC) system based on a nonparametric model has been used to track the overhead temperature of the packed distillation column. For this purpose, a nonparametric model known as the dynamic matrix was determined using the reaction curve method. A step change in heat input to the reboiler was applied to the manipulated variable and the temperature of the overhead product was observed. After that, the dynamic matrix was used to design the DMC system. Several calculations have been done to define the DMC control parameters. The best values of the tuning parameter were used to realize the DMC system for controlling the overhead temperature experimentally and theoretically. In the presence of some disturbances, the DMC system gives oscillation and offset in experimental studies.     

Guaranteed cost distributed fuzzy observer‐based control for a class of nonlinear spatially distributed processes

The guaranteed cost distributed fuzzy (GCDF) observer‐based control design is proposed for a class of nonlinear spatially distributed processes described by first‐order hyperbolic partial differential equations (PDEs). Initially, a T–S fuzzy hyperbolic PDE model is proposed to accurately represent the nonlinear PDE system. Then, based on the fuzzy PDE model, the GCDF observer‐based control design is developed in terms of a set of space‐dependent linear matrix inequalities. In the proposed control scheme, a distributed fuzzy observer is used to estimate the state of the PDE system. The designed fuzzy controller can not only ensure the exponential stability of the closed‐loop PDE system but also provide an upper bound of quadratic cost function. Moreover, a suboptimal fuzzy control design is addressed in the sense of minimizing an upper bound of the cost function. The finite difference method in space and the existing linear matrix inequality optimization techniques are used to approximately solve the suboptimal control design problem. Finally, the proposed design method is applied to the control of a nonisothermal plug‐flow reactor. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 2366–2378, 2013