Application of multivariable model predictive control to overcome the intervariable interaction in CO₂ removal process

Sustainable Energy Research Group, Chemical Engineering Department, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, Indonesia

^* Coresponding author: wahid@che.ui.ac.id

Abstract

Multivariable model predictive control (MMPC) was applied in CO2 removal process in a natural gas treatment from an industry located in Subang field, which used chemical absorption. MMPC is a variation of model predictive control (MPC) which can account for more than one control variable at once and is classified in advanced control category. MMPC is expected to give a better performance in handling the process as well as being able to overcome intervariable interaction that is prone to happen in multiple input multiple output (MIMO) system. MMPC was applied in the process to get a better process control performance compared to the one using PI controller and to make any intervariable interaction in the process more manageable. The indicator for each goal was integral square error (ISE). The result showed that identified intervariable interaction was between the pressure of gas feed in and the flow of make-up water to absorber. By using MMPC, the ISE of controller’s performance was improved from the PI-controller that was used in the plant. The improvement for ISE was 32.62% (PIC-1101) and 72.67% (FIC-1102) in the SP tracking, and 52.54% (PIC-1101) and 57.41% (FIC-1102) in the disturbance rejection. MMPC implementation also showed a better response in handling intervariable interaction in the process.