Use of Simulink's Non-Linear S-function to Simulate Feedback Temperature Control of a Heterogeneous Batch Reactor

摘要

This work has taken a heterogeneous batch reactor model from literature and converted it to Matlab and Simulink environments so that it can be used to develop new control techniques or test existing methods. Compartmentalised within a single S-function block of Simulink, it has been harnessed in this research to select a feedback controller for the task of raising the temperature of the reactor to a certain level as rapidly as possible, with minimum overshoot, and maintaining it there for the remainder of the reaction. The study has involved a thorough study of the original model and simulator, adaptation of the model to Matlab environments with suitable modification, development of a mini package in Matlab, open-loop verification by comparison with the original, construction of a Simulink diagram including the single S-function block housing both the reactor and the newly added temperature control loop, open-loop verification again, and finally interactive simulation runs to tune (optimize) the controller settings.