Flatness-based feedback tracking control of a distributed parameter tubular reactor model

A novel approach for the design of feedback boundary tracking control for parabolic infinite-dimensional systems is illustrated for two coupled nonlinear partial differential equations modelling a tubular reactor. The method is based on a re-interpretation of the flatness-based open-loop design approach using an infinite power series ansatz in the spatial coordinate. It is shown, that by truncating the power series solution, a finite-dimensional approximation of the PDEs can be derived, which is suitable for flatness-based design of feedback boundary control with observer.