Control of higher-level dynamic layers

Abstract

The higher-level layer of the hierarchical control structure deals with the relations between those process variables that constitute the core of the process, i.e., the relations that define how the features of the final product are determined according to the raw product characteristics f and the values of the set-points of the low-level process variables rl. In a sense, the knowledge and experience in dealing with these relations are the key features that define an expert operator of a process, so the task of this layer is to somewhat assist these experts and easen their job by making educated decisions that assure that the final product features yh will effectively reach the target values especified by rh if the values of f make it possible, or suggest and achieve the best reachable value of yh if the current objective is not feasible.