Comparison between different control approaches of the UOP fluid catalytic cracking unit

Different traditional and advanced control strategies have been tested and their performance investigated. The considered control approaches are: conventional decentralized PID control, Model Predictive Control (MPC) based on analytical model, MPC based on Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) model and Fuzzy Logic Control (FLC). Comparative control results are shown for multivariable control structures, aimed to control the main variables of the unit in the presence of typical disturbances. The results reveal incentives of the model based control approaches (with analytical or ANN models) over the classical decentralized PID control scheme, but also the benefits of the Fuzzy Logic Control.