Process Control: Modeling, Design, and Simulation

Module 13. Distillation Control

Distillation remains the most common method of separating chemical components from a mixture. In this module, we provide a simple example of a binary distillation column that has behavior illustrative of more complex columns. The goal is to better understand the dynamic behavior of multivariable, interacting systems. After studying this module the reader should be able to do the following:

• Understand the different control loops associated with distillation operation

• Understand the importance of input “direction” when making step input changes

• Understand how an input “direction” affects the magnitude and “direction” of the resulting output change

• Interpret SVD results in terms of these sensitive directions

• Consider ...