A GPC-based sliding mode controller for nonlinear chemical processes

This article presents an application of a control strategy developed by the authors to a nonlinear model. The control strategy is based on a sliding mode controller that uses a generalized predictive controller for the reaching mode part. The proposed Predictive Sliding Mode Controller is developed for a First-Order-Plus-Deadtime model that represents a good approximation to many processes. The Predictive Sliding Mode Controller has five tuning parameters and the tuning rules are given in the paper. It is applied to a nonlinear chemical process to show its desirable features, which overcome some of the disadvantages of the sliding mode control and the generalized predictive control strategies. A study of its stability and robustness properties is also provided.