Open loop testing for optimizing the closed loop operation of chemical systems

Abstract One way to optimize the operation of chemical systems consists on using closed loop controls while the system is operated. This way, it is possible to optimize the operating point in the plant, process or chemical system so that certain quantities are maximized/minimized or time responses are reduced. In the design of the closed loop controls, though, one of the problems is the large number of configuration parameters involved and the uncertainties in the system. The objective of this paper is to present how recently proposed controls, exploiting time-scale separation, allow to configure their closed loop configuration parameters from open-loop measurements. These controls have been proposed to accelerate the time response of metal-oxide gas sensors by operating at constant surface potential. The main result of the paper explains the link between the open loop measurements and closed loop operation. Experiments are provided using a commercial off-the-shelf Microelectromechanical gas sensor.