Distributed economic model predictive control with Safeness-Index based constraints for nonlinear systems

In this work, sequential and iterative distributed economic model predictive control (DEMPC) architectures are developed with constraints based on a metric (termed the Safeness Index) that is indicative of the safeness of operating a process at a given state in state-space. The DEMPC's may have lower computation times than a centralized economic model predictive control (EMPC) design with Safeness Index-based constraints, without significantly limiting closed-loop economic performance, which enhances their practicality and ability to improve process operational safety. Sufficient conditions are derived under which the implementation strategies for the DEMPC's guarantee closed-loop stability. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.