Predictive Control for Continuous Stirred Tank Reactors

Abstract

The paper focuses on the implementation of a model based predictive control (MBPC) method, for Continuous Stirred Tank Reactors. First, the modelling problem of a single irreversible exothermic reaction, taking place in a perfectly mixed continuously stirred tank reactor (CSTR) is presented. The dynamic model consists of differential material and energy balance equations. The control strategy is investigated and evaluated by performing simulations and analyzing the results. The disturbance rejection capacity of the control system (regulatory control performances) have been tested and compared with those obtained using a classical Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) based controller. The results show that this control strategy has good performances and can be efficiently used to control the CSTR.