Hierarchized distributed control system for a gas processing unit

Abstract

The paper presents a study regarding the complex problems associated with the hierarchical and distributed control of a gas processing unit. This unit consists of three separation columns, and for this train of distillation columns a hierarchized distributed control system with three levels is proposed. First hierarchical level is dedicated to conventional control, second level is associated with advanced control and third level is the optimal control level. The levels of the hierarchical control systems for each column are characterized and the proposed solutions are studied through simulation.