Rigorous dynamics and feedforward control design for distillation processes

Feedforward control has the theoretical potential for perfect control; therefore, research to simplify and improve the use of such a control strategy for possible industrial applications has potential value. A general model for simulation of controlled distillation columns is used to reproduce operating trends of some monitored variables for an industrial column. Comparisons between simulated and operating data show a general good agreement. When a rigorous model is available and can be proved reliable for practical purposes, the design of feedforward control schemes becomes viable and can be incorporated in the more conventional approach. A specific industrial example shows the practical implementation problems and the real economic value of a feedforward control strategy to optimize the process behavior. In particular, the feedforward control action can reduce the inherent error from changes in feed composition when a basic feedback control structure is used to infer composition.