Nonlinear output feedback control of a class of polymerization reactors

Presents an approach to the problem of nonlinear output feedback control. A nonlinear output feedback control law is derived within the framework of input-output linearization. It includes an input-output linearizing state feedback, a linear system describing the linear input-output closed-loop response under the state feedback, and a reduced order nonlinear state observer. The nonlinear output feedback control law is applied to a class of free-radical polymerization reactors that usually exhibit multiple steady states. For this class of processes, the global asymptotic stability of the closed-loop system is proven. The performance of the controller is shown by numerical simulation of a styrene polymerization reactor.