Multiobjective Nonlinear Model Predictive Control Of The MMA Polymerization Process Problem

Lakshmi N. Sridhar

Chemical Engineering Dept., University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez, PR 00681, (USA)

PAGE NO: 056-065

ABSTRACT – DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.47204/EMSR.4.1.2022.056-065

This article deals with the use of a rigorous multiobjective nonlinear model predictive control strategy for the MMA (Methyl Methacrylate) polymerization process. In the MMA model there exists a considerable difference in the orders of magnitude in the values of the parameters and variables and a scaled version of the models was used to facilitate rapid convergence. The scaled model however produces less realistic results than the uncalled model which unfortunately converge very slowly, requiring many control implementations. To circumvent this non-rapid convergence a strategy that takes advantage of the existence of turning points in the control profile was developed. It is demonstrated that this strategy considerably accelerated the convergence of the MNLMPC algorithm, for the unscaled MMA polymerization problem