Control of a solution copolymerization reactor using multi-model predictive control

We study the control of a solution copolymerization reactor using a model predictive control algorithm based on multiple piecewise linear models. The control algorithm is a receding horizon scheme with a quasi-infinite horizon objective function which has finite and infinite horizon cost components and uses multiple linear models in its predictions. The finite horizon cost consists of free input variables that direct the system towards a terminal region which contains the desired operating point. The infinite horizon cost has an upper bound and takes the system to the final operating point. Simulation results on an industrial scale methyl methacrylate vinyl acetate solution copolymerization reactor model demonstrate the ability of the algorithm to rapidly transition the process between different operating points. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.