Model Predictive Control (MPC) of a Countercurrent Flow Plate Heat Exchanger in a Virtual Environment.

This research proposes advanced model-based control strategies for a countercurrent flow plate heat exchanger in a virtual environment. A virtual environment with visual and auditory effects is designed, which requires a mathematical model describing the real dynamics of the process; this allows parallel fluid movement in different directions with hot and cold temperatures at the outlet, incorporating control monitoring interfaces as communication links between the virtual heat exchanger and control applications. A multivariable and non-linear process like the plate and countercurrent flow heat exchanger requires analysis in the controller design; therefore, this work proposes and compares two control strategies to identify the best-performing one.