Numerical Computation for a Kind of Time Optimal Control Problem for the Tubular Reactor System.

This paper is devoted to the study of numerical computation for a kind of time optimal control problem for the tubular reactor system. This kind of time optimal control problem is aimed at delaying the initiation time τ of the active control as late as possible, such that the state governed by this controlled system can reach the target set at a given ending time T. To compute the time optimal control problem, we firstly approximate the original problem by finite element method and get a new approximation time optimal control problem governed by ordinary differential equations. Then, through the control parameterization method and time-scaling transformation, the approximation problem becomes an optimal parameter selection problem. Finally, we use Sequential Quadratic Program algorithm to solve the optimal parameter selection problem. A numerical simulation is given for illustration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]