Hybrid control of gas compressors

In this paper a problem of industrial interest is presented: the control of an industrial gas compressor. The main feature of the problem is that the throughput of a gas compressor is limited both above and below. When the compressor should supply a lower flow rate, an additional valve must be opened. Thus the controller has a natural two-mode structure, making it particularly suited for hybrid control. A model of the gas compressor system and a hybrid controller are presented. Some simulations results are presented, showing that the proposed controller performs well, even under rapid changes in the boundary conditions.