Closed-loop Implementation of Optimal Trajectories in Batch Distillation

JOSÉ ESPINOSA; JACINTO MARCHETTI

Bucarest, Rumania

Simposio; 17th European Symposium on Computer Aided Process Engineering (ESCAPE-17); 2007

In order to implement a quasi-optimal trajectory derived from pinch theory [1,2], a temperature tracking control system composed by an open-loop reflux ratio control plus a closed-loop correction for disturbance rejection is proposed. To adjust the closed-loop controller we use the referential dynamic reaction of the process and tuning rules [3] that, though they were originally developed for dynamics valid in the neighborhood of stationary operating points, under this strategy they are useful in the neighborhood of a reference transient evolution like those occurring in batch distillation columns. Previous successful experiences in tracking a desired temperature evolution of a bioreactor [4] motivate the present application. Here, the separation of the light component from its ternary mixture of alcohols is selected as case study.