Integration of process design and control: A review

There is a large variety of methods in literature for process design and control, which can be classified into two main categories. The methods in the first category have a sequential approach in which, the control system is designed, only after the details of process design are decided. However, when process design is fixed, there is little room left for improving the control performance. Recognizing the interactions between process design and control, the methods in the second category integrate some control aspects into process design. With the aim of providing an exploration map and identifying the potential areas of further contributions, this paper presents a thematic review of the methods for integration of process design and control. The evolution paths of these methods are described and the advantages and disadvantages of each method are explained. The paper concludes with suggestions for future research activities. (C) 2013 The Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.