Plant-wide control of the Tennessee Eastman problem

Abstract This study focuses on the development and performance of four plant-wide control structures for the Tennessee Eastman challenge problem. The control structures are developed in a tiered fashion and without the use of a quantitative steady state or dynamic model of the process. The throughput or production rate manipulator is selected first so that it is located on the major process path. The inventory controls are arranged in an outward direction from this throughput manipulator. The four structures are described and comments are given on their effective handling of the defined disturbances and setpoint changes. One structure provides effective control under all circumstances for 50 hours of process time. The effective dynamic performance of these structures supports the strength of the tiered plant-wide control design methodology used.