Robust multivariable control of a binary distillation column

Abstract

Davison's robust, multivariable, feedback-feedforward controller (DAVISON, E.J.: IEEE Trans., 1976, AC-21, pp. 35–47) is applied to the control of a pilot-scale binary distillation column, as a master loop in a cascaded configuration. The inner or slave loop consists of the original plant with multiloop proportional control. This cascaded configuration is shown to have a number of advantages for practical implementation. The performance of the controller is evaluated by experimental application to a computer-controlled distillation column. The robust controller gives improved control performance compared to that achieved using conventional multiloop proportional plus integral plus derivative (PID) control.