Binary Distillation Column Control Techniques: a Comparative Study

The purpose of this study is to propose the best control strategy for the binary distillation column. Woods & Berry model is used to represent the distillation column process. The control process is simulated on Matlab Simulink. Traditional controller settings including P, PI and PID are put to comparison. PI is found to result in a control superior to P and PID. PI is then tuned using different tuning method including Ziegler Nichols, Cohen Coon, ITAE, IMC and Symmetric Optimum. The study finds that IMC tuning parameters relatively improves the PI controller response and robustness. It is suggested to compare IMC-tuned PI controller with an advance Model Predicative Controller to ultimately conclude a superior control technique for the binary distillation column.