A globally convergent multivariable adaptive decoupling controller and application to a binary distillation column

The authors describe a multivariable adaptive decoupling controller combining a decoupling compensator with a generalized minimum variance technique. The controller can completely decouple the closed-loop systems both dynamically and at steady state. It can control an open-loop unstable and/or nonminimum phase system. It can control a process with general time delay structure. The proof of global convergence for the algorithm is also given. Successful experimental results on the adaptive decoupling control for a pilot-scale binary distillation column demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed adaptive decoupling algorithm