Control of Plug-Flow Tubular Reactors by Variation of Flow Rate

The control of isothermal and adiabatic plug-flow tubular reactors by variation of flow rate was studied. Proportional feedback, feedforward, and optimal control responses were compared for the regulation of reactor conversion in the presence of inlet disturbances. The optimal control, consisting of a singular solution in each case, produces a considerably improved response over both feedforward and proportional feedback control.