PID Control of MIMO Process Based on Rank Niching Genetic Algorithm


Abstract

Non-linear multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) processes which are common in industrial plants are characterized by significant interactions and non-linearities among their variables. Thus, tuning several controllers in complex industrial plants is a challenge for process engineers and operators. An approach for adjusting the parameters of n proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controllers based on multiobjective optimization and genetic algorithms (GA) is presented in this paper. A modified genetic algorithm with elitist model and niching method is developed to guarantee a set of solutions (set of PID parameters) with different tradeoffs regarding the multiple requirements of the control performance. Experiments considering a fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) unit, under PI and dynamic matrix control (DMC) are carried out in order to evaluate the proposed method. The results show that the proposed approach is an alternative to classical techniques as Ziegler-Nichols rules and others.