Dynamic Mathematical Modelling and Advanced Control Strategies for Complex Hydrogenation Process

Over the last past decades, the number of control system applications in the chemical and petrochemical domains has increased considerably. However, due to the diversity and particularity of chemical processes, there are still many challenges that have to be addressed like: system identification, performance enhancement, monitoring, diagnosis and more importantly closed-loop stability, robustness. Taking into account that most chemical processes are complex, nonlinear MIMO (multi-input multi-output) systems, the challenge is even greater. This book chapter is directed towards the development and the implementation of modern control algorithms for complex and high-risk petro-chemical processes, the considered case study being the production of 2 ethyl-hexanol through the 2 ethyl-hexenal hydrogenation process. 2 ethyl-hexanol is mainly used in the production of plasticizers for polyvinyl chloride (PVC) manufacture. In the second part, is described the mathematical modelling of the 2 ethyl-hexenal hydrogenation process including also the simulation and validation of the developed mathematical models. The third part will focus on the design and implementation of conventional control strategy. Section four is dedicated to the design and implementation of several advanced control strategies like Internal Model Control and robust control. The conclusions section represents the last part of the chapter

Fractional order control for the temperature loop in a chemical reactor

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HIL real-time simulation of a digital fractional order PI controller for time delay processes

Fractional order control has been used extensively in the last decade for controlling various types of processes. Several design approaches have been proposed so far, the closed loop performance results obtained being tested using different simulation conditions. The hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) real-time simulation offers a more reliable method for evaluating the closed loop performance of such controllers prior to their actual implementation on the real processes, such HIL simulation being highly suitable especially for complex, hazardous processes in which human and equipment errors should be avoided. The present paper proposes a hardware-in-the-loop real-time simulation setting for a digital fractional order PI controller in a Smith Predictor structure. The designed control strategy and fractional order controller is then tested under nominal and uncertain conditions, considering a time delay process

Robust autotuning MPC for a class of process control applications

This paper introduces a robust methodology for autotuning design parameters in the EPSAC (Extended Prediction Self-Adaptive Control) approach to MPC (Model based Predictive Control). The method requires from the user solely a well-chosen sampling period of the process and, in case of process with time delay, the amount of delayed samples. The main design parameter, the prediction horizon, is related to the open loop dynamics of the system and set to a relatively large value for a robust control performance. Process model is obtained apriori from step response in presence of 20% noise and later updated during closed loop simulations. The results indicate in both simulation and experimental study that the methodology is suitable for some classes of chemical processes or other processes with similar dynamic profiles

Heme Oxygenase-1 protects astroglia against manganese-induced oxidative injury by regulating mitochondrial quality control

Heme Oxygenase-1 (HO-1), a stress- responsive enzyme which catalyzes heme degradation into iron, carbon monoxide, and biliverdin, exerts a neuroprotective role involving many different signaling pathways. In Parkinson disease patients, elevated HO-1 expression levels in astrocytes are involved in antioxidant defense. In the present work, employing an in vitro model of Mn2+-induced Parkinsonism in astroglial C6 cells, we investigated the role of HO-1 in both apoptosis and mitochondrial quality control (MQC). HO-1 exerted a protective effect against Mn2+ injury. In fact, HO-1 decreased both intracellular and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species as well as the appearance of apoptotic features. Considering that Mn2+ induces mitochondrial damage and a defective MQC has been implicated in neurodegenerative diseases, we hypothesized that HO-1 could mediate cytoprotection by regulating the MQC processes. Results obtained provide the first evidence that the beneficial effects of HO-1 in astroglial cells are mediated by the maintenance of both mitochondrial fusion/fission and biogenesis/mitophagy balances. Altogether, our data demonstrate a pro-survival function for HO-1 in Mn2+-induced apoptosis that involves the preservation of a proper MQC. These findings point to HO-1 as a new therapeutic target linked to mitochondrial pathophysiology in Manganism and probably Parkinson´s disease.Fil: Gorojod, Roxana Mayra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Alaimo, Agustina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Porte Alcon, Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Martinez, Jimena Hebe. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Cortina, María Eugenia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Vazquez, Elba Susana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Kotler ML (*) BOTH AUTHORS CONTRIBUTED EQUALLY TO THIS WORK. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentin