Optimizing model predictive control of an industrial distillation column

The main scope of this work is the implementation of an MPC that integrates the control and the economic optimization of the system. The two problems are solved simultaneously through the modification of the control cost function that includes an additional term related to the economic objective. The optimizing MPC is based on a quadratic program (QP) as the conventional MPC and can be solved with the available QP solvers. The method was implemented in an industrial distillation system, and the results show that the approach is efficient and can be used, in several practical cases.

► The paper proposes a simplified form to integrate MPC and real-time optimization. ► MPC and RTO are integrated in a QP problem that can be easily solved. ► The proposed economic MPC is implemented in an industrial toluene distillation column. ► The implemented economic MPC resulted in benefits that exceed U$100 thousand/year.