An identification-based robust H∞ control of fouling in chemical reactor

Abstract

In this article, a robust control algorithm is proposed for a nonlinear and time-varying continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) with sediment formation in the cooling jacket. The existing control schemes may fail, as deposition measurement or estimation is a challenge in such a process. As a main contribution, the deposition phenomenon is modeled here as the system uncertainty. Then, an identification-based robust integral controller is constructed for the underlying CSTR. Applying the loop-shaping procedure here is also a novelty to satisfy the performance objectives in the frequency domain. In a comprehensive scenario, which includes the set-point tracking in the presence of system uncertainties and external disturbance, the performance of the proposed robust control system is evaluated and discussed from a comparison viewpoint. The numerical study shows that fouling control and robust performance are ensured by the developed H∞-based technique. © 2025 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.