Infinite-dimensional LQ optimal control of a dimethyl ether (DME) catalytic distillation column

► Infinite-dimensional system representation of a catalytic distillation model is treated for LQ optimal control design using an operator Riccati equation (ORE) approach. ► The existence and uniqueness of the non-negative solution to the ORE is explored. ► The solution to the ORE is found by converting it to an equivalent matrix Riccati differential equation. ► The result is then extended to design an optimal proportional plus integral controller which can reject the effect of load losses. ► The controller is implemented on the column model through a simulation study.