Chemical Non-Isothermal Processes-Stability study and Optimal Control

The non-isothermal processes are typical for many important chemical industrial installations. These processes are preserved at very high conversion rates, in a safe environment, in order to attain optimal productivity. The aim of our work addresses the stability of the stationary operating regime for this type of process, represented by the Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor CSTR, the heart of many chemical and petrochemical installation. Starting by developing the mathematical model, the geometrical conditions of stability for non-isothermal CSTR are evaluated. These conditions offer stable operating requirements for the CSTR, obtained for small variations around a stationary point. Further, for the linearized mathematical model, the stability of CSTR is confirmed using the Lyapunov stability analysis, and the stability region is estimated. In the end, an optimal control system is proposed and this solution is proven to ensure the wanted performances for the exothermal reactor. Also, the efficiency of the theoretical approach is confirmed by numerical study cases and simulations.