Design of Networked Control Systems for Chemical Processes

Augmenting dedicated control systems with
 real-time sensor 
and actuator networks poses a number of new challenges in control system design that cannot be addressed with traditional process 
control methods, including: a) the handling of additional, potentially
 asynchronous and/or delayed
 measurements in the overall networked control system, and b) the
 substantial increase in the number of process state variables, manipulated inputs, and measurements which may impede the ability of
 centralized control systems to carry out real-time calculations within the limits set by 
process dynamics and operating condiions. To address these key challenges, we have focused on the development of 
rigorous, yet practical methods for the design of
 networked and distributed model predictive control systems 
for chemical processes described by nonlinear dynamic models.