The synthesis of optimal control of distributed parameter processes governed by a system of simultaneous partial differential equations of the first-order in two independent and n dependent variables is considered. The theory on necessary conditions for optimal control, the computational algorithm based on the first-order variations, and the method of characteristics are applied to the optimal control of a plug-flow tubular reactor with non-linear chemical kinetics. Optimal response to oscillatory feed disturbances is also investigated. In some cases it may be desirable to operate under intentionally oscillatory input conditions. Extensive numerical computations are presented. (Author).
This book is devoted to the mathematical optimization theory and modeling techniques that recently have been applied to the problem of controlling the shape and intensity of the power density distribution in the core of large nuclear reactors. The book has been prepared with the following purposes in mind: 1. To provide, in a condensed manner, the background preparation on reactor kinetics required for a comprehensive description of the main problems encountered in designing spatial control systems for nuclear reactor cores. 2. To present the work that has already been done on this subject and provide the basic mathematical tools required for a full understand ing of the different methods proposed in the literature. 3. To stimulate further work in this challenging area by weighting the advantages and disadvantages of the existing techniques and evaluating their effectiveness and applicability. In addition to coverage of the standard topics on the subject of optimal control for distributed parametersystems, the book includes, at amathemati cal level suitable for graduate students in engineering, discussions of con ceptsoffunctional analysis, the representation theory ofgroups, and integral equations. Although these topics constitute a requisite for a full understanding of the new developments in the area of reactor modeling and control, they are seidom treated together in a single book and, when they are, their presenta tion isoften directed to the mathematician.They are thus relatively unknown to the engineering community.
Control Theory of Systems Governed by Partial Differential Equations covers the proceedings of the 1976 Conference by the same title, held at the Naval Surface Weapons Center, Silver Spring, Maryland. The purpose of this conference is to examine the control theory of partial differential equations and its application. This text is divided into five chapters that primarily focus on tutorial lecture series on the theory of optimal control of distributed systems. It describes the many manifestations of the theory and its applications appearing in the other chapters. This work also presents the principles of the duality and asymptotic methods in control theory, including the variational principle for the heat equation. A chapter highlights systems that are not of the linear quadratic type. This chapter also explores the control of free surfaces and the geometrical control variables. The last chapter provides a summary of the features and applications of the numerical approximation of problems of optimal control. This book will prove useful to mathematicians, engineers, and researchers.
Distributed Parameter Control Systems: Theory and Application is a two-part book consisting of 10 theoretical and five application-oriented chapters contributed by well-known workers in the distributed-parameter systems. The book covers topics of distributed parameter control systems in the areas of simulation, identification, state estimation, stability, control (optimal, stochastic, and coordinated), numerical approximation methods, optimal sensor, and actuator positioning. Five applications works include chemical reactors, heat exchangers, petroleum reservoirs/aquifers, and nuclear reactors. The text will be a useful reference for both graduate students and professional researchers working in the field.
The optimal feed forward control of a chemical process governed by a system of simultaneous partial differential equations was considered. The maximum principle for distributed parameter systems was used to determine the feed forward control that would maximize the cumulative yield of product. This is a highly complex conputational procedure ill suited to practical implementation. In order to investigate a more implementable procedure, the analytical frequency response of the system was used to determine an approximate transfer function. The theory of optimal control of lumped parameter systems was applied to the system described by the approximate transfer function to calculate a sub-optimal control agreed favorably with that obtained using the theoretical optimal control determined previously. This yield was higher than could be obtained by applying the optimal 'steady state' control under the same conditions. (Author).
Research in control and estimation of distributed parameter systems encompasses a wide range of applications including both fundamental science and emerging technologies. The latter include smart materials (piezoceramics, shape memory alloys, magnetostrictives, electrorheological fluids) fabrication and testing, design of high-pressure chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reactors for production of microelectronic surfaces (e.g., semiconductors), while the former include groundwater contamination cleanup and other environmental modeling questions, climatology, flow control, and fluid-structure interactions as well as more traditional topics in biology, mechanics, and acoustics. These expository papers provide substantial stimulus to both young researchers and experienced investigators in control theory. Includes a comprehensive and lucid presentation that relates frequency domain techniques to state-space or time domain approaches for infinite-dimensional systems including design of robust stabilizing and finite-dimensional controllers for infinite-dimensional systems. It focuses on these two approaches to control design in an integrated system theoretic framework. This is excellent reading for researchers in both the frequency domain and time domain control communities. In other articles, topics considered include pointwise control of distributed parameter systems, bounded and unbounded sensors and actuators, stabilization issues for large flexible structures, and an overview discussion of damping models for flexible structures.
