Control of a Train of High Purity Distillation Columns for Efficient Production of 13C Isotopes

Abstract

Abstract-It is well-known that high-purity distillation columns are difficult to control due to their ill-conditioned and strongly nonlinear behaviour. The fact that these processes are operated over a wide range of feed compositions and flow rates makes the control design even more challenging. This paper proposes the most suitable control strategies applicable to a series of cascaded distillation column processes. The conditions for control and input-output relations are discusssed in view of the global control strategy. The increase in complexity with increased number of series cascaded distillation column processes is tackled. Uncertainty in the model parameters is discussed with respect to the dynamics of the global train distillation process. The main outcome of this work is insight into the possible control methodologies for this particular class of distillation processes.

Advantage of Low‐Cost Predictive Control: Study Case on a Train of Distillation Columns

“…Simple, as well as some fractional order control strategies, have been researched so far [2,5,9]. In [2], three control strategies are designed.…”

“…The closed-loop simulations show acceptable performance, however, there is significant interaction between each individual column and control loops. The same control strategy is analyzed in [9] offering some preliminary results and insights that lead to further more complex control strategies.…”