Robust model predictive control of nonlinear process systems: Handling rate constraints

This work considers the problem of stabilization of control affine nonlinear process systems subject to constraints on the rate of change and magnitude of control inputs in the presence of uncertainty. We first handle rate constraints within a soft constraints framework. A new robust predictive controller formulation that minimizes rate constraint violation while guaranteeing stabilization and input constraint satisfaction from an explicitly characterized stability region is designed. We then derive conditions that allow for guaranteed satisfaction of hard rate constraints. Subsequently, a predictive controller is designed that ensures rate constraints satisfaction when the required conditions are satisfied, relaxing them otherwise to preserve feasibility and robust stability. The implementation of the proposed predictive controllers is illustrated via a chemical reactor example. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.