Hierarchically controlled ecological life support systems. (January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ciurans, Carles; Bazmohammadi, Najmeh; Poughon, Laurent; Vasquez, Juan C.; Dussap, Claude G.; Gòdia, Francesc; Guerrero, Josep M.
• Is Part Of: Computers & chemical engineering. Volume 157(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-01
• Subjects: Hierarchical control structure -- Controlled ecological life support systems -- Model Predictive Control -- Optimization Problem -- MELiSSA Pilot Plant; Chemical engineering -- Data processing -- Periodicals; 660.0285
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compchemeng.2021.107625
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0098-1354

Abstract

Highlights: Designing a hierarchical control structure to control the long-term operation of life support systems. Efficient response to varying operating conditions by using hierarchically distributed control functions. Coordinating a network of biological compartments with a variety of generation, consumption, and storage capabilities. Control of O2 concentration in the crew compartment, as the main consumer of a life support system. Abstract: Life support systems (LSSs) are autonomous systems integrating various generation, recycling, and consumption subsystems with storage capability to maintain the balance of key system compounds. A novel hierarchical control is proposed in this paper to operate an exemplary controlled ecological LSS. The study focuses on the control of O2 concentration in the crew compartment, as the main consumer of a LSS, while coordinating a network of biological compartments with a variety of generation, consumption, and storage capabilities. A concentrated gas buffer tank is included in the system to demonstrate its capability to support the system operation flexibility and efficiency. Simulation analyses for changing O2 demand scenarios are carried to assess the proposed control architecture performance. Graphical abstract: Image, graphical abstract