Fractional Order Controller for the 13C Isotope Separation Process

This paper presents a solution to control the
¹³
C isotope both at the output and inside of the separation column based on a fractional order controller; a comparison between the fractional order PID and PI controllers, a relay and the classical PID controller is approached. From the chemical exchange process between the carbon dioxide and carbamate, which is process of distributed parameters, results the
¹³
C isotope. The model of the separation column is simulated by determining an analytical solution of the process in the transitory regime; this solution depends on the position in the column height and on time. The desired concentration is to be reached by using an acceptable input flow of solution and it is highlighted by the simulation of the reference model. The fractional order PID controller is tuned based on the Ziegler-Nichols method, using the bi-positional relay method. The main advantage obtained is the possibility to control the concentration of the
¹³
C isotope at any point of the height of the separation column.