OPTIMIZATION OF A NON-LINEAR DISTRIBUTED PARAMETER SYSTEM USING PERIODIC BOUNDARY CONTROL

Conditions for loeal optimality are worked out using simple calculus of variations. To find the optimum control, a two-point boundary value problem in space and time has to be solved, which involves the solution of the adjoint differential equation together with the prooess equation. The method is applied to the optimization of a periodic process, consisting of a tubular reactor where a second-order homogeneous reaction takes place and a periodicity oondition of the state is satisfied everywhere along the reactor. Tho plug flow and the diffusion model are assumed. In the first case an exact solution is carried out. The improvements in yield compared with steady-state conditions are obtained and shown in graphs. © 1969, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved.