Feedforward process control of a distillation column based on evolutionary techniques

Obtaining increased performance of complex process control systems is highly dependent of the kind of controller chosen. An example of such process is the distillation process found in chemical and petrochemical industries for which the product quality and energy efficiency are the main objectives. Maintaining the process parameters close to specifications is a condition for efficiency. These objectives can be fulfilled in spite of disturbances effects by using advanced process controllers. The present article addresses these problems in the case of a binary distillation column (for propane-propylene mixture) for which a special process model based on evolutionary techniques is used as part of the process controller.