Relative Gain Array and Singular Value Analysis to Improve the Control in a Biomass Pyrolysis Process

The pairing of actuators and controlled variables for process control is non-trivial due to couplings among process quantities and further disturbing effects. Here, we consider the product gas stage in a biomass pyrolysis process. Based on a dynamic model of the latter, several analyses, namely Relative Gain Array (RGA), Dynamic Relative Gain Array (DRGA) and Singular Value Analysis (SVA) are performed to solve the pairing problem. In particular, we emphasize the practical benefit from DRGA's results by showing that challenges, like non-measurable disturbances or time delays, can be mitigated by simple changes in an implemented control concept.