Base control for the Tennessee Eastman problem

Abstract This paper presents an approach to configure a basic PID control system for the recently published Tennessee Eastman testbed process control problem. A multiloop single-input-single-output control architecture is used. The control design approach involves using a combination of steady-state screening tools, followed by dynamic simulation of the most promising candidates. The steady-state tools employed are the relative gain, Niederlinski index, and disturbance analysis. The resulting control system satisfies all of the specifications required for the design. The final PID system is appropriate for adding on top of it an advanced strategy for online optimization and it can be used as a basis for assessing the benefits of advanced control.