Designing control systems with distributed parameters

This paper proposes a numerical control strategy for controlling a system with distributed parameters (SDP). Such systems are usually difficult to control, mainly because of their non-standard structure. The model of the process, a heat-exchanger, is obtained using energy-balance equations. The solution that is proposed is to design a polynomial R-S-T controller, to analyze its nominal performances in closed loop configuration, and to improve it using a robust control solution. The results in simulation ensure the tolerance of the system to structure and the non-linearity of the process.