Model-Predictive Control of a Compliant Hydraulic System

Automatic operation of hydraulic systems poses a challenging control problem. Factors contributing to this include nonlinear system dynamics along with highly nonlinear actuator dynamics. This altogether necessitates the control design to be carefully thought through to achieve a good behaviour and minimise the risk of damaging events, such as a rapid closure of a valve that could create a pressure wave travelling back and forth through the system known as the water hammer effect. A real-life example of a hydraulic system is an oilfield production system in which various pumps and valves are used for control. The aim of the actuation in an oil production system is to produce the oil mixture from the reservoir through the well to the surface subject to operational constraints.