Model-Predictive Control of Continuous Processes

When thermodynamics or physics relates secondary measurements to product quality, it is easy to use secondary measurements to infer the effects of process disturbances upon product quality. When such a relation does not exist, however, one needs a solid knowledge of process operation to infer product quality from secondary measurements. This knowledge can be codified as a process model relating secondary to primary measurements. These strategies are within the domain of model-based control Dynamic Matrix Control (DMC), Model Algorithmic Control (MAC), Internal Model Control (IMC), and Model Predictive Control (MPC—perhaps the broadest of model-based control strategies). 

DMC has its origins in industry. Cutler and Ramaker [35] outlined the DMC strategy Prett and Gillette [36] showed its application to a fluid catalytic cracking unit. The most popular version of DMC is now Quadratic Dynamic Matrix Control (QDMC) [37,38] which 

The MPC strategy can be summarized as follows. A dynamic process model (usually linear) is used to predict the expected behavior of the controlled output variable over a finite horizon into the future. On-line measurement of the output is used to make corrections to this predicted output trajectory, and hence provide a feedback correction. The moves of the manipulated variable required in the near future are computed to bring the predicted output as close to the desired target as possible without violating the constraints. The procedure is repeated each time a new output measurement becomes available. 

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