Multivariable Control with Adjustment by Decoupling using a Distributed Action Approach in a Distillation Column

Cintia Marangoni,  Joel Gustavo Teleken,  Leandro Osmar Werle,  Ricardo Antonio Francisco Machado,  Ariovaldo Bolzan
UFSC


Abstract

This paper presents an approach which uses a multivariable control strategy with distributed action in order to minimize operation transients in distillation columns when a disturbance in the temperature feed is introduced. Experiments were carried out adjusting multivariable PID controllers by static decoupling of the temperature loops of the bottom and distillate trays, characterizing a 2 x 2 system. The dynamics was compared to the distributed approach (same controllers on the bottom and top and an additional control loop on a tray). The controllers adjustment of this new system (3 x 3) was carried out considering the temperature control loop stage in two different ways: decentralized and coupled with the bottom and top temperature control loops. The minimization of transients was verified in both distributed approaches.