Model reduction and control of reactor-heat exchanger networks

This paper focuses on the dynamics and control of process networks consisting of a reactor connected with an external heat exchanger through a large material recycle stream that acts as an energy carrier. Using singular perturbation arguments, we show that such networks exhibit a dynamic behavior featuring two time scales: a fast one, in which the energy balance variables evolve, and a slow time scale that captures the evolution of the terms in the material balance equations. We present a procedure for deriving reduced-order, non-stiff models for the fast and slow dynamics, and a framework for rational control system design that accounts for the time scale separation exhibited by the system dynamics. The theoretical developments are illustrated with an example and numerical simulation results.