Feedback Linearizing Controller Design for Chemical Processes: Challenges and Recent Advances

Abstract

Many chemical processes are difficult to control due to their inherent nonlinear characteristics. Feedback linearization is a promising approach for controlling such highly nonlinear processes. In this paper, we discuss a few problems which are encountered when feedback linearization is applied to chemical processes and provide an overview of our attempts to address these problems. More specifically, we focus on several issues not adequately addressed by existing feedback linearization theory including: (i) unmeasured state variables; (ii) unmeasured disturbances; (iii) time delays; and (iv) process constaints. The concepts are illustrated using a simple chemical reactor model which exhibits many of the nonlinear characteristics observed in industrial processes.