Model predictive control of a pilot-scale distillation column using a programmable automation controller

Following the evolution of growing computing power of industrial embedded devices, this paper investigates the use of an online Model Predictive Control (MPC) algorithm on an embedded Programmable Automation Controller (PAC). The controller is tested on a pilot-scale binary distillation column to track reference temperatures. A major task in each model predictive control algorithm is the solution of a quadratic problem. The Hildreth quadratic programming algorithm is used for this purpose. It turns out that this algorithm is able to control the set-up running on the PAC hardware.