Testing a Constrained MPC Controller in a Process Control Laboratory

Authors

  • Luis A. Ricardez-Sandoval University of Waterloo
  • Wesley Blankespoor University of Waterloo
  • Hector M. Budman University of Waterloo

Abstract

This paper describes an experiment performed by the fourth year chemical engineering students in the process control laboratory at the University of Waterloo. The objective of this experiment is to test the capabilities of a constrained Model Predictive Controller (MPC) to control the operation of a Double Pipe Heat Exchanger (DPHE) in real time. The process unit, the software/hardware interface, the experimental procedure and the outcome of the experiments are presented in this work. Conclusions are also presented regarding the learning objectives to be pursued as well as the receptivity of the student to the experiment.

Author Biographies

Luis A. Ricardez-Sandoval, University of Waterloo

Luis A. Ricardez-Sandoval is an assistant professor in the Chemical Engineering Department at the University of Waterloo. He received his B.Sc. degree from the Instituto Tecnologico de Orizaba in Orizaba, Mexico. He obtained his M.Sc. degree from the Instituto Tecnologico de Celaya in Celaya, Mexico, and his Ph.D. degree from the University of Waterloo. His current research interests include multiscale modeling of chemical processes, design and control of dynamic systems, systems identification, and robust control.

Wesley Blankespoor, University of Waterloo

Wesley Blankespoor is an automation engineer in training at Brock Solutions in Kitchener, Ontario. He received a B.S. in environmental science at Calvin College in 1996, and his B.A.Sc. in chemical engineering at the University of Waterloo in 2008. His interest in the chemical industry began with his work as a master electrician in Ontario prior to 2004. His current work focuses on projects in the agricultural feed industry.

Hector M. Budman, University of Waterloo

Hector M. Budman is a professor of chemical engineering at the University of Waterloo Ontario, Canada. He received his B.Sc, M.A.Sc., and Ph.D. degrees in mechanical engineering at the Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel. His main areas of research are modeling, control, and optimization of chemical processes. He has conducted both theoretical and experimental work in a number of chemical engineering application areas such as chemical and biochemical reactors and manufacturing processes in the pulp and paper, mineral processing, and pharmaceutical industries.

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Published

2010-04-01

Issue

Vol. 44 No. 2 (2010): Spring 2010

Section

Manuscripts