Development of a Fuzzy Logic Controller for a Distillation Column using Rockwell Software

In this thesis, an alternative control method based on Fuzzy Inference System (FIS) is proposed to keep the product composition of a distillation column constant. This study compares a proposed FIS to traditional PID (proportional, integral, derivative) control technique and analyzes the results. The FIS is applied to the control of the tray temperature of the distillation column by using indirect feed split control structure to modulate the steam flow with management of the tray temperature. In turn, this modulation maintains the composition of product at specified levels. Rockwell fuzzy designer is used to develop the fuzzy logic controller. Both a fuzzy logic controller and a PID controller are downloaded in the Rockwell ControlLogix L62 process controller. Chemstations Chemcad simulation software is used to run the distillation column simulations. Simulation results are programmed into L62 process controller to behave as a dynamic distillation column. Results show that the proposed fuzzy logic controller is more tolerant to disturbances in the feed flow and feed composition of the distillation column than the PID controller.