Linear Model Predictive Control of a Debutanizer Column (Simulation Work)

This dissertation has been prepared in order to fulfill the partial requirement of a final year chemical engineering student in Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP). It is submitted to the university as a requirement of the Final Year Project II.
Linear model predictive control studies have been an interesting field of research in the scope of chemical engineering. This research has been done in order to benefit the operations of PETRONAS Penapisan Terengganu Sdn. Bhd., PP(T)SB. The C-110 Debutanizer column at the plant is not achieving its desired output which is 30% propane and 70% butane. Therefore this study is conducted in order to obtain the optimum tuning parameters for Model Predictive Control, MPC controllers that can help achieve the desired output at the plant operation.
The C-110 Debutanizer column has been simulated using HYSYSTM software according to real plant data. By conducting an open loop step test, relevant data were collected in order to proceed to MATLAB programming. By using the IDENT System Identification tool available in MATLAB, simple programming and coding were done to obtain necessary input information for the MPC controllers. MPC controllers with different tuning settings were tested in the HYSYSTM environment and the best tuning method is suggested to PP(T)SB to enhance their plant operation.
Chapter 1 provides a short introduction on the background of the project. The problem statements of this project will be well discussed in accordance to its objectives. Chapter 2 gives a detailed literature review on the mentioned topic of research. In this chapter, the concept and basic understanding of the project is shown.
In Chapter 3, the research methodology and project activities are mentioned. The milestones of this project are also presented. Chapter 4 shows the results gained in this project. The relevancy of this project to its objectives and its probable future works are also discussed. Chapter 5 discusses the conclusion and recommendations for this project.
The findings of this project will help the operations at PETRONAS Penapisan Terengganu Sdn. Bhd., PP(T)SB in order to achieve the desired output of the C-110 Debutanizer column.