Multi-parametric Model Predictive Control Strategies for Evaporation Processes in Pharmaceutical Industries

In this paper we develop an advanced multi-parametric model predictive control approach for the control of an evaporation process in the pharmaceutical industry. The proposed strategies set the foundation for the development of controllers that aim to work with different molecules and different thermodynamic scenarios without repeating the process design and process control design steps. First, a comprehensive mathematical model of the process for one molecule type is developed and implemented within gPROMS. The model, along with its experimental set-up validation, is then used for the development of the advanced control strategies. Finally, the performances of the control strategies are validated against the original high-fidelity model, thus closing the loop. The simulations show good performances and satisfactory behavior.