Model predictive control of nonlinear singularly perturbed systems: Application to a large-scale process network

This work focuses on model predictive control of nonlinear singularly perturbed systems. A composite control system using multirate sampling (i.e., fast sampling of the fast state variables and slow sampling of the slow state variables) and consisting of a “fast” feedback controller that stabilizes the fast dynamics and a model predictive controller that stabilizes the slow dynamics and enforces desired performance objectives in the slow subsystem is designed. Using stability results for nonlinear singularly perturbed systems, the closed-loop system is analyzed and sufficient conditions for stability are derived. A large-scale nonlinear reactor-separator process network which exhibits two-time-scale behavior is used to demonstrate the controller design including a distributed implementation of the predictive controller.

► Novel model predictive control method for nonlinear singularly perturbed systems.
► Rigorous closed-loop system stability result.
► Application to a large-scale nonlinear reactor-separator process network which exhibits two-time-scale behavior.