Experimental nonlinear model based predictive control for a class of semi-batch chemical reactors

This paper investigates experimentally the application of a nonlinear model based predictive control (NLMBPC) to a class of semi-batch chemical reactors equipped with a mono-fluid heating/cooling system. We present the experimental results dealing with a strongly exothermic reaction carried out in a small pilot plant according to a procedure commonly used in industry. The application of the NLMBPC is based on a constrained optimisation problem solved repeatedly on-line. The control objective is to keep the reactor temperature within safe operating specifications by manipulating the heating power. Experimental results demonstrate that this control strategy works well in the presence of hard constraints and load disturbances.