A Review on AI Control of Reactive Distillation for Various Applications

In this chapter, previous studies on reactive distillation process control including control using conventional as well as soft sensor control, membrane assisted reactive distillation design and simulation, estimation and control are discussed. The review of literature in different dimensions is carried out to explore the opportunities in the field of research work. The chapter is focused on dynamics and control of Reactive distillation, its control using Conventional Techniques, Model Predictive Control MPC), Reactive Distillation using Soft Sensors/Soft Controllers, Membrane assisted reactive distillation, Biodiesel in Reactive Divided Wall Column: Design and Control and Membrane reactive divided wall column. These control techniques are proposed and analyzed by many researchers. These techniques have potential use in process industries to have better soft sensor control of nonlinear processes

Modelling and simulation of biomass fast pyrolysis process: Kinetics, reactor, and condenser systems

The research focuses on understanding implementation of multi-scale modeling and simulation of biomass fast pyrolysis process. Lumped and detailed pyrolysis kinetic models are proposed based on experimental and literature data validation. The detailed kinetics is coupled with an engineering model of bubbling fluidized bed reactor to predict pyrolysis gas and bio-oil composition. A simulation strategy to fractionally condense major pyrolysis components into distinct chemical families is proposed using ASPENPlus

Modifier adaptation for process optimization with uncertainty

La gestión óptima de procesos suele realizarse en la capa de control RTO, que basándose en modelos del proceso y métodos de optimización proporciona las directrices óptimas. Sin embargo, los modelos nunca reflejan fielmente la realidad por lo que el óptimo calculado puede no corresponder al óptimo del proceso. La metodología adaptación de modificadores utiliza medidas para estimar gradientes y calcular modificadores del problema de optimización para conducir el proceso a su punto óptimo de operación. Sin embargo, presenta limitaciones como la dimensión del problema con respecto al número de variables de decisión y restricciones que aumentan los modificadores necesarios ralentizando la convergencia. La tesis presenta una formulación para que el número de modificadores dependa únicamente del número de entradas del proceso. Otra es la necesidad de esperar al estacionario para actualizar los modificadores. La tesis propone el uso de medidas transitorias para estimar los gradientes sin esperar al estacionario.Departamento de Ingeniería de Sistemas y AutomáticaDoctorado en Ingeniería Industria

Equation-oriented modeling, simulation, and optimization of integrated and intensified process and energy systems

Process intensification, defined as unconventional design and/or operation of processes that results in substantial performance improvements, represents a promising route toward reducing capital and operating expenses in the chemical/petrochemical process industry, while simultaneously achieving improved safety and environmental performance. In this dissertation, intensification is approached from three different angles: reactor design and control, process flowsheet design and optimization, and production scheduling and control. In the first part of the dissertation, three novel concepts for improving the controllability of intensified microchannel reactors are introduced. The first concept is a latent energy storage-based temperature controller, where a phase change material is confined within the walls of an autothermal reactor to improve local temperature control. The second concept is a segmented catalyst layer which modulates the rate of heat generation and consumption along the length of an autothermal reactor. Finally, the third concept is a thermally actuated valve, which uses small-scale bimetallic strips to modulate flow in a microchannel reactor in response to temperature changes. The second part of the dissertation introduces a novel framework for equation-oriented flowsheet modeling, simulation and optimization. The framework consists of a pseudo-transient reformulation of the steady-state material and energy balance equations of process unit operations as differential-algebraic equation (DAE) systems that are statically equivalent to the original model. I show that these pseudo-transient models improve the convergence properties of equation-oriented process flowsheet simulations by expanding the convergence basin in comparison to conventional steady state equation-oriented simulators. A library of pseudo-transient unit operation models is developed, and several case studies are presented. Models for more complex unit operations such as a pseudo-transient multistream heat exchanger and a dividing-wall distillation column are later introduced, and can easily be included in the flowsheet optimization framework. In the final part of the dissertation, a paradigm for calculating the optimal production schedule in a fast changing market situation is introduced. This is accomplished by including a model of the dynamics of a process and its control system into production scheduling calculations. The scheduling-relevant dynamic models are constructed to be of lower order than a detailed dynamic process model, while capturing the closed-loop behavior of a set of scheduling-relevant variables. Additionally, a method is given for carrying out these production scheduling calculations online and in "closed scheduling loop,"' i.e., recalculating scheduling decisions upon the advent of scheduling-relevant process or market events. An air separation unit operating in a demand response scenario is used as a representative case study.Chemical Engineerin

Integrated Chemical Processes in Liquid Multiphase Systems

The essential principles of green chemistry are the use of renewable raw materials, highly efficient catalysts and green solvents linked with energy efficiency and process optimization in real-time. Experts from different fields show, how to examine all levels from the molecular elementary steps up to the design and operation of an entire plant for developing novel and efficient production processes