Dynamics and Control of Process Networks

This paper discusses theoretical foundations for the modeling, analysis and control of chemical process networks that are tightly integrated through complex material, energy and information flows. The physical behavior of process networks is described using fundamental concepts from classical thermodynamics, while time-scale decomposition and singular perturbation theory provide the basis for exploring the network-level dynamic behavior that emerges as a result of tight inventory integration, and developing appropriate reduced-order models and a hierarchy of control systems for managing inventories and inventory flows. Finally, ideas from model-based networked control and Lyapunov theory are leveraged to develop an integrated control and communication strategy that manages the information flows between the network components and explicitly accounts for communication constraints.