Use Model-Predictive Control to Improve Distillation Operations

摘要

Imagine an equipment investment with a payback time of only 10 days.A major petroleum refiner experienced just that when it implemented linear multivariable model-predictive control (MPC) on its cat-cracker:Using a linear prograrnming optimizer,the MPC determined the unit's optimal constraints,and then moved the unit close to those limits over a few days.Although this is an extreme example,it is generally accepted that MPC can add significant value when coupled with an optimizer that drives the plant to maximum profitability,with typical paybacks of two years or less.