Simultaneous Process Design and Control of the Williams–Otto Reactor Using Infinite Horizon Model Predictive Control
Romero Florentino de Carvalho, Luz A. Alvarez
Abstract
In this work, we study a simultaneous process design and control methodology using infinite horizon model predictive control (IHMPC). The methodology is based on the change in market conditions caused by the difference in the raw material and product prices. The economic and dynamic objectives are integrated into a single structure in the formulation of the optimization problem. The presented solution divides the problem into three stages and the final problem is solved using two strategies: goal attainment and quadratic cost. In the first two stages, utopian designs are calculated by the isolated solution of economic and dynamic problems. Finally, an integrated problem is solved to achieve the utopian values calculated in the previous stages, in order to produce simultaneously the plant with the best economic and dynamic performance. The results demonstrate the advantages of the methodology for process design, compared with the traditional sequential methodology.