Nonlinear model predictive control of a swelling constrained industrial batch reactor

This paper presents an on-line model based level control of a batch reactor with reaction rate uncertainties. The analyzed chemical batch process is catalyzed by a catalyst which decomposes in the reactor; therefore it is fed several times during the batch. The chemical reaction produces a vapour phase by-product which causes level change in the system. The on-line control method is based on the shrinking horizon optimal control methodology based on the detailed model of the process. The results demonstrate that the on-line optimization based control strategy provides good control performance despite the disturbances.