Practical control studies of batch reactors using realistic mathematical models

Most of the optimal control studies of batch chemical reactors have assumed simple, ideal systems where heat removal can be changed instantaneously between zero and some maximum rate. These systems are of low order, usually second, so elegant variational mathematics can be employed to compute optimal time-temperature trajectories.This paper reports results of studies of more realistic systems in which the dynamics of the cooling and heating systems are not neglected, giving systems of much higher order (7th–10th). Reversible and consecutive exothermic reactions are considered. A variety of practical heat removal systems are studied. Reactor performance is found to be reasonably insensitive to some of the practical departures from ideality, but quite sensitive to others.