Multivariable system is usually characterized with loop interactions which normally have deteriorating effect on closed loop performance. Thus, there is need to decouple the system for efficient performance of the multivariable feedback system. In this work, dynamic and static compensators were used to remove loop interactions. Inverse of the steady state gain was used as static compensator while dynamic compensator elements were obtained using feedforward design technique. These were applied to design feedback control system for Shell Heavy Oil Fractionator (SHOF) using Proportional integral (PI) control settings. PI controllers for the plant were tuned using Ziegler-Nichols, Tyreus-Luyben and PID modules built in MATLAB for different plant parameters. The closed loop system was implemented based on gain scheduling strategy. Good control performance was achieved using settling time, rise time and overshoot as performance metrics for the control strategy
Keywords: Compensators, PI controller, Shell heavy oil Fractionator (SHOF), gain scheduling, multivariable system
