Distillation Column Hierarchical Control

This paper treats the problem of hierarchical control of a butylene-butane distillation column (BBDC). A hierarchical control system with three levels is proposed for BBDC. First hierarchical level, which is represented by the column with its conventional automation, is simulated and the results led to the idea of using a decoupler for the process crossed channels. Thus, it is proposed a nonlinear decoupler which determines automatically its parameters and type. At the second hierarchical level are implemented two internal model controllers for the top and bottom concentrations. Finally, the third hierarchical level consists of an optimal control system for the butylene-butane separation process.