Advanced multivariable control of a pilot‐plant distillation column

Abstract This paper reports an experimental study of the multivariable control of a pilot‐plant distillation column having a side stream as well as overhead and bottom products. A recently developed multivariable controller for systems having multiple time delays is implemented for the first time on an experimental process. The controller consists of a new multivariable time delay compensator coupled with traditional PI controllers. Realization is accomplished with a PDP 11 minicomputer. Improved system performance was observed with the delay compensator, especially in disturbance rejection.