LAPSE:2025.0353
Published Article
LAPSE:2025.0353
Optimal Control of PSA Units Based on Extremum Seeking
June 27, 2025
Abstract
The application of Real-time Optimization (RTO) to dynamic operations is challenging due to the complexity of the nonlinear problems involved, making it difficult to achieve robust solutions. The literature on RTO in Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) units relies on Model Predictive Control (MPC) and Economic Model Predictive Control (EMPC), which rely heavily on an accurate model representation of the industrial plant. Given the importance of PSA systems on multiple separation operations, establishing alternatives for control and optimization in real-time is in order. With that in mind, this work aimed to explore alternative model-free RTO techniques that depend on simple control elements, as is the case of Extremum Seeking Control (ESC).The chosen case study was Syngas Upgrading. Extremum Seeking Control successfully optimized the CO2 productivity in PSA units for syngas upgrading/H2 purification. The results demonstrate that ESC can be a valuable tool in optimizing and controlling PSA processes and does not require the unit to reach a Cyclic Steady State to adjust the operation.
The application of Real-time Optimization (RTO) to dynamic operations is challenging due to the complexity of the nonlinear problems involved, making it difficult to achieve robust solutions. The literature on RTO in Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) units relies on Model Predictive Control (MPC) and Economic Model Predictive Control (EMPC), which rely heavily on an accurate model representation of the industrial plant. Given the importance of PSA systems on multiple separation operations, establishing alternatives for control and optimization in real-time is in order. With that in mind, this work aimed to explore alternative model-free RTO techniques that depend on simple control elements, as is the case of Extremum Seeking Control (ESC).The chosen case study was Syngas Upgrading. Extremum Seeking Control successfully optimized the CO2 productivity in PSA units for syngas upgrading/H2 purification. The results demonstrate that ESC can be a valuable tool in optimizing and controlling PSA processes and does not require the unit to reach a Cyclic Steady State to adjust the operation.
Record ID
Keywords
Extremum Seeking Control, Pressure Swing Adsorption, Real-time Optimization, Simple Control Strategies
Subject
Suggested Citation
Silva BCD, Ribeiro AM, Ferreira AF, Rodrigues D, Nogueira IB. Optimal Control of PSA Units Based on Extremum Seeking. Systems and Control Transactions 4:1257-1262 (2025) https://doi.org/10.69997/sct.195447
Author Affiliations
Silva BCD: LSRE-LCM Laboratory of Separation and Reaction Engineering - Laboratory of Catalysis and Materials, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal; ALiCE Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Fac
Ribeiro AM: LSRE-LCM Laboratory of Separation and Reaction Engineering - Laboratory of Catalysis and Materials, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal; ALiCE Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Fac
Ferreira AF: LSRE-LCM Laboratory of Separation and Reaction Engineering - Laboratory of Catalysis and Materials, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal; ALiCE Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Fac
Rodrigues D: LSRE-LCM Laboratory of Separation and Reaction Engineering - Laboratory of Catalysis and Materials, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal; ALiCE Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Fac
Nogueira IB: Chemical Engineering Department, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Sem Sælandsvei 4, Kjemiblokk 5, Trondheim 7491, Norway
Ribeiro AM: LSRE-LCM Laboratory of Separation and Reaction Engineering - Laboratory of Catalysis and Materials, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal; ALiCE Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Fac
Ferreira AF: LSRE-LCM Laboratory of Separation and Reaction Engineering - Laboratory of Catalysis and Materials, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal; ALiCE Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Fac
Rodrigues D: LSRE-LCM Laboratory of Separation and Reaction Engineering - Laboratory of Catalysis and Materials, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal; ALiCE Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Fac
Nogueira IB: Chemical Engineering Department, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Sem Sælandsvei 4, Kjemiblokk 5, Trondheim 7491, Norway
Journal Name
Systems and Control Transactions
Volume
4
First Page
1257
Last Page
1262
Year
2025
Publication Date
2025-07-01
Version Comments
Original Submission
Other Meta
PII: 1257-1262-1730-SCT-4-2025, Publication Type: Journal Article
Record Map
Published Article
LAPSE:2025.0353
This Record
External Link
https://doi.org/10.69997/sct.195447
Article DOI
Download
Meta
Record Statistics
Record Views
802
Version History
[v1] (Original Submission)
Jun 27, 2025
Verified by curator on
Jun 27, 2025
This Version Number
v1
Citations
Most Recent
This Version
URL Here
https://psecommunity.org/LAPSE:2025.0353
Record Owner
PSE Press
Links to Related Works
References Cited
- Bonvin, D., Special Issue "Real-Time Optimization" of Processes. Processes, 2017. 5(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/pr5020027
- Pfaff, G., J. Fraser Forbes, and P. James McLellan, Generating information for real-time optimization. Asia-Pacific Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2006. 1(1-2): p. 32-43. https://doi.org/10.1002/apj.5
- Kameswaran, S. and L.T. Biegler, Simultaneous dynamic optimization strategies: Recent advances and challenges. Computers & Chemical Engineering, 2006. 30(10): p. 1560-1575. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compchemeng.2006.05.034
- Cruz, P., et al., Cyclic adsorption separation processes: analysis strategy and optimization procedure. Chemical Engineering Science, 2003. 58(14): p. 3143-3158. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0009-2509(03)00189-1
- Zhang, R., et al., A Review of Numerical Research on the Pressure Swing Adsorption Process. Processes, 2022. 10(5). https://doi.org/10.3390/pr10050812
- Khajuria, H. and E.N. Pistikopoulos, An Explicit/Multi-Parametric Controller Design for Pressure Swing Adsorption System. IFAC Proceedings Volumes, 2010. 43(5): p. 206-211. https://doi.org/10.3182/20100705-3-BE-2011.00034
- Khajuria, H. and E.N. Pistikopoulos, Optimization and Control of Pressure Swing Adsorption Processes Under Uncertainty. AIChE Journal, 2013. 59(1): p. 120-131. https://doi.org/10.1002/aic.13783
- Martins, M.A.F., et al., Artificial Intelligence-oriented economic non-linear model predictive control applied to a pressure swing adsorption unit: Syngas purification as a case study. Separation and Purification Technology, 2021. 276: p. 119333-119333. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2021.119333
- Martins, M.A.F., et al., Handling model uncertainty in control of a pressure swing adsorption unit for syngas purification: A multi-model zone control scheme-based robust model predictive control strategy. Separation and Purification Technology, 2023. 306: p. 122668-122668. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2022.122668
- Oliveira, P.H.M., et al., A Robust Model Predictive Controller applied to a Pressure Swing Adsorption Process: An Analysis Based on a Linear Model Mismatch. IFAC-PapersOnLine, 2021. 54(3): p. 219-224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ifacol.2021.08.245
- Skogestad, S., J. Jäschke, and D. Krishnamoorthy. Overview and Classification of online process optimization approaches. 2019 [Access 22/01/2024]; Available from: https://folk.ntnu.no/skoge/presentation/dycops2019-workshop-rto/DYCOPS_workshop_final0.pdf
- Scheinker, A., 100 years of extremum seeking: A survey. Automatica, 2024. 161: p. 111481-111481. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.automatica.2023.111481
- Tan, Y., et al. Extremum seeking from 1922 to 2010. in Proceedings of the 29th Chinese Control Conference. 2010
- Luxat, J.C. and L.H. Lees, Stability of Peak-Holding Control Systems. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics and Control Instrumentation, 1971. IECI-18(1): p. 11-15. https://doi.org/10.1109/TIECI.1971.230455
- Krstic, M. and H.-H. Wang, Stability of extremum seeking feedback for general nonlinear dynamic systems. Automatica, 2000. 36(4): p. 595-601. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0005-1098(99)00183-1
- Drakunov, S., et al., ABS control using optimum search via sliding modes. IEEE Transactions on Control Systems Technology, 1995. 3(1): p. 79-85. https://doi.org/10.1109/87.370698
- Wu, Z., et al., Closed-loop enhancement of jet mixing with extremum-seeking and physics-based strategies. Experiments in Fluids, 2016. 57(6): p. 107-107. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-016-2194-9
- Martínez, E., Extremum-seeking control of redox processes in wastewater chemical treatment plants, in Computer Aided Chemical Engineering, V. Plesu and P.S. Agachi, Editors. 2007, Elsevier. p. 865-870. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1570-7946(07)80167-2
- de Klerk, A., Fischer-Tropsch Process, in Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. p. 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1002/0471238961.fiscdekl.a01
- Khosravani, H., et al., Chapter 1 - Introduction to syngas products and applications, in Advances in Synthesis Gas : Methods, Technologies and Applications, M.R. Rahimpour, M.A. Makarem, and M. Meshksar, Editors. 2023, Elsevier. p. 3-25. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-91878-7.00014-9
- Regufe, M.J., et al., Syngas Purification by Porous Amino-Functionalized Titanium Terephthalate MIL-125. Energy & Fuels, 2015. 29(7): p. 4654-4664. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.energyfuels.5b00975
- Kumar, S. and N. Gans. Extremum Seeking Control for multi-objective optimization problems. in 2016 IEEE 55th Conference on Decision and Control (CDC). 2016. https://doi.org/10.1109/CDC.2016.7798416
[0.25 s]