Feedforward output-feedback control for continuous exothermic reactors with isotonic kinetics

The robust feedforward (FF) output-feedback (OF) control problem of (possibly open-loop unstable) continuous exothermic jacketed reactors with isotonic kinetics with respect to reactant concentration is considered. The volume, temperature, and concentration must be regulated by manipulating the feed, exit and coolant flowrates on the basis of volume and temperature measurements. The problem is addressed as an interlaced controller-observer design within a constructive control framework. The result is a quasi linear-decentralized (qLD) FF-OF dynamic controller which: (i) recovers (up to observer convergence) the behavior of a robust nonlinear FF-SF controller, (ii) has closed-loop stability conditions coupled with conventional-like tuning guidelines, and (iii) constitutes an add-on to the PI control scheme commonly employed in industrial reactors. The approach is tested with an open-loop unstable reactor example through simulations.

► The feedforward-feedback stabilizing control problem for a class of continuous exothermic reactors is regarded.
► The problem is addressed as an interlaced controller-observer design in constructive nonlinear control.
► The result is an upgraded version of the PI control scheme commonly employed in industrial reactors.