STABILITY AND CONTROLLABILITY OF BATCH PROCESSES

Improving the performance ***ofbatch processes requires tools that are tailored to the specificities of batch operations. These include a mathematical representation that explicitly shows the two independent time variables (the run timet and the run index k) as well as the two types of outputs (the run-time and run-end outputs). Furthermore, corrective action can be taken via both on-line and run-to-run control. This paper investigates the important notions of stability and controllability for batch processes, where it is shown that a value rather than a yes-no answer needs to be considered. The tools required for evaluating these properties are readily adapted from the literature. Finally, the various control strategies are illustrated via the simulation of a sem i-batch reactor, and references are made to the appropriate tools for evaluating stability and controllability.