Nonlinear control of a polymerization CSTR with singular characteristic matrix

Abstract

This experimental work concerns the multivariable nonlinear control of a pilotsize continuous polymerization reactor with generically singular characteristic matrix. The control problem is to control conversion and temperature in a continuous stirred tank reactor by manipulating two coordinated flow rates (reactor residence time) and two coordinated heat inputs. A nonlinear controller is synthesized within the framework of the globally linearizing control (GLC) method and is implemented on a microcomputer. Conversion is inferred from on-line measurements of density and temperature. A key feature of the control problem is that its characteristic matrix is generically singular. Singularity of the characteristic matrix is handled by using a dynamic input/output linearizing state feedback rather than a static feedback. A reduced-order observer is used to calculate the monomer, initiator, and solvent concentration estimates, which are needed for the calculation of controller action. In the presence of active state and input constraints, the reactor-startup and setpointtracking performance of the controller is evaluated through experimental runs.