A Hierarchical Control Approach To A Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit

Abstract

This paper represents an approach to the hierarchical control of the Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit, a complex plant that is determinative for a modern fuels refinery. To the authors' knowledge, there have not been published papers tackling the hierarchical control of this complex plant. The first part of the paper deals with the main hierarchical concepts for complex technical systems and also with the analysis of the four hierarchical control levels specific to the Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit. The paper lays stress on the process concept for each hierarchical control level and on the elements that determine the structure of the dynamic model corresponding to each hierarchical level. What is also brought into focus is the dependence of the complexity of the dynamic mathematical model on the corresponding hierarchical control level. The last part of the paper deals with problems related to physical support for the implementation of the hierarchical control structure of this plant. The paper insists on those problems that are likely to become a starting-point for the future research in the main aspects of the hierarchical control system for the Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit.