SLIDING MODE CONTROL OF NONLINEAR DISTRIBUTED-PARAMETER CHEMICAL PROCESSES

Sliding mode control theory is applied to distributed chemical processes modeled by nonlinear partial differential equations. The method of characteristics is used to transform exactly the distributed parameter system into a finite set of ordinary differential equations. Geometric methods are then used to extend sliding mode concepts for application to a class of partial differential equations. Through simulations, the method is shown to be effective in controlling typical chemical process units.