Optimal design of stable processes

Open loop dynamic stability is a major feature of operability. An optimization approach for open loop stable process design is presented. It is based on Lyapunov's stability theory and formulated as an eigenvalue optimization problem. The resultant non-linear semi-definite programming problem is reformulated into an interior-point / logarithmic-barrier- transformation programming problem. The proposed methodology is applied to the design of a three states stirred tank reactor.