Nonlinear control of a hybrid batch reactor

Abstract

This paper introduces a new class of advanced control algorithms for batch-reactor temperature control where a nonlinear PI controller with a feed-forward part in a cascade combination with a P controller is used. The main goal of the algorithm is to optimize production by lowering the costs of the temperature control and increasing the quantity and quality of the chemical, biological, pharmaceutical, food and beverage products produced in these reactors. The algorithm is designed to cope with the constraints and the mixed discrete and continuous nature of the process by manipulating variables for heating and cooling. The stability and robustness of the control algorithm is proven through the Popov Stability Criterion. The simulation results of the proposed algorithm show much better performance compared to a conventional cascade PI control structure, which is most commonly used in industry. Furthermore, the study also shows real-time implementation on a bioreactor using the proposed algorithm. © 2013 Journal of Mechanical Engineering. All rights reserved.