Supervisory control of mode-switch processes

Abstract

Abstract. Many processes operate only arounda limitednumber of operation points.In order to have adequatecontrol around each operation point, an adaptive controller couldbe used.Then,if the operationpoint changesoften, a largenumberof parameters wouldhavetobe adapted overand over again. This prohibits application of conventional adaptive control, whichis more suited for processes with slowly changing parameters. Furthermore, continuous adaptation is not always needed or desired. An extensionof adaptive controlis presented, in whichforeachoperation point the processbehaviourcan be storedin a memory, retrieved from it andevaluated. Thesefunctions are coordinatedby a "supervisor". This conceptis referred to as supervisory control. It leadsto an adaptivecontrol structure which, after a learningphase,quicklyadjusts thecontroller parameters basedon retrievalof old information, withouttheneedto fully relearneachtime. Thisapproach has been tested on an experimental set-upof a flexiblebeam,but it is directly applicable to processes in e.g, the (petro)chemical industryas well.