Advanced Control Foundation : Batch and Continuous Processes — Interactive Source for Process Control

Advanced Control Foundation

Tools, Techniques and Applications

Simple MPC

This workshop provides several exercises that are used to explore simple MPC. A batch reactor process will be used to demonstrate how feed rate may be maximized within pressure constraints and the capacity of the cooling system for temperature control.

Step 1: Increase the feed flow rate setpoint in small steps until the temperature constraint is reached.

Step 2: Introduce a disturbance that reduces the cooling capacity and observe how MPC automatically reduces the feed rate to keep the temperature from exceeding setpoint.

Step 3: Increase the cooling capacity and observe how the feed rate is automatically increased and returns to the original setpoint.

Step 4: Introduce a 20% increase in the feed rate and observe how the feed rate is limited to avoid exceeding the reactor pressure setpoint.

Step 5: Reduce the cooling capacity and observe how the feed rate is automatically reduced to keep the temperature from exceeding setpoint.