Model reference adaptive control system of a catalytic fluidized bed reactor

This paper presents a study of the control of a fluidized bed catalytic reactor using the model reference adaptive control algorithm with independent tracking and regulation objectives as presented by Landau and Lozano (1981). The purpose of the control is to maintain the temperature of the reactor as near as possible to a desired set value (490°C). Some of the heat produced by the exothermal reaction taking place between propylene, ammonia and oxygen is carried away by a ventilator. The control action is based on a low order mathematical model with time varying parameters. This method of control results in a significantly improved control for both servo and regulatory control.