Optimal Energy Consumption of the Distillation Process and Its Product Purity Analysis Using Ultraviolet Spectroscopy

This paper addresses the energy consumption of distillation process via an actuator, which is a challenging problem in process industries. Precise control action would enhance energy consumption and improve the productivity. This paper is an experimental validation of EPC-PI control algorithm and analysis of distillate purity of a lab-scale distillation column. The PI control scheme uses closed-loop data of extended predictive controller (EPC) that has been performed through off-line simulation. The performance of control method is compared with different schemes such as Hägglund's one-third rule and Skogestad's overshoot method. The issue of integral windup in the multivariable process is addressed in the aspect of optimal energy consumption. The energy consumption calculations are made with respect to power utility of actuators throughout the process. The distillate product of post-controller implementation is processed to qualitative analysis using UV spectroscopy. Performance index is carried out via integral time absolute error (ITAE) by perturbing plant parameters up to 30% uncertainty.