rejection of the feed-flow disturbances in a multi-component distillation column using a multiple neural network model-predictive controller

this article deals with the issues associated with developing a new design methodology for the nonlinear model-predictive control (mpc) of a chemical plant. a combination of multiple neural networks is selected and used to model a nonlinear multi-input multi-output (mimo) process with time delays.  an optimization procedure for a neural mpc algorithm based on this model is then developed. the proposed scheme has been tested on a model of an 18-plate multi-component distillation column. the algorithm provides excellent disturbance rejection for this process.