Hierarchical optimal control of nonlinear systems; An application to a benchmark CSTR problem

In this paper, a novel computational algorithm is proposed for hierarchical optimal control of nonlinear systems. The hierarchical control uses a new coordination strategy based on the gradient of the coordination errors. This type of coordination extremely reduces the number of iterations required for obtaining the overall optimal solution. The performance and the convergence rate of the proposed approach, in compare to the classical gradient-type interaction prediction approach, is shown through simulations of a benchmark continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) problem.