Real-Time Optimization (RTO)

Real-Time Optimization is a type of closed-loop process control that attempts to optimize process performance (usually measured in terms of profit) on-line, in real-time. These closed-loop control systems are distinct from traditional process controllers, in that they are built upon large-scale, model-based optimization systems. As a research area, RTO is relatively new and is currenly enjoying considerable industrial interest. Specifically, my RTO research effort includes:

• continuous disturbance tracking,
• RTO design for plants described by differential-algebraic equations,
• convergence of closed-loop RTO systems,

with a particular emphasis on process modelling issues. This work is supported by NSERC and a number of industrial companies.