Design and real-time evaluation of a novel observer-based predefined-time controller for the industrial processes.

A suitable controller for the Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR) plays a crucial role in the reactor's performance. This paper presents a novel observer-based sliding mode controller designed to control the CSTR with high accuracy and a fast response. The stability of the proposed method is analyzed using Lyapunov theory. Five other methods, with fixed-time, finite-time (terminal), and asymptotic stability, are used for comparison. Two scenarios are defined: one with bounded control signals and one with unbounded control signals. A real-time simulator is employed to evaluate the control methods. Four different indices are used to compare the methods. In all indices, the proposed control method demonstrates the best performance, with fast response, accurate tracking and estimation, chatter-free operation, and robust features.