Optimal Control of the Carbon Isotopes Cryogenic Separation Process

C. I. Pop, C. Festila and E. H. Dulf

Abstract
The most important demand in an efficient carbon isotope separation is to keep the cryogenic distillation column parameters at their required set points, despite disturbances or uncertainties. One of the key parameters is the column temperature that has a direct influence on the carbon separation coefficient. The nonlinear model of the separation process considers the top and bottom column temperature evolution and their influence on the isotope separation rate. The optimal controller designed in this paper effectively maintains the column temperature at constant levels, rejecting disturbances, for a significant range of model uncertainties.

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Keywords
Cryogenic isotope separation, linear quadratic regulator, nonlinear model, uncertainties