Optimal and Model Predictive Control of Single Phase Natural Circulation in a Rectangular Closed Loop

Aitazaz Hassan (), Guilherme Ozorio Cassol, Syed Abuzar Bacha and Stevan Dubljevic
Additional contact information
Aitazaz Hassan: Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB T6G 2V4, Canada
Guilherme Ozorio Cassol: Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB T6G 2V4, Canada
Syed Abuzar Bacha: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB T6G 2V4, Canada
Stevan Dubljevic: Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB T6G 2V4, Canada

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 19, 1-20

Abstract: Pipeline systems are essential across various industries for transporting fluids over various ranges of distances. A notable application is natural circulation through thermo-syphoning, driven by temperature-induced density variations that generate fluid flow in closed loops. This passive mechanism is widely employed in sectors such as process engineering, oil and gas, geothermal energy, solar water heaters, fertilizers, etc. Natural Circulation Loops eliminate the need for mechanical pumps. While this passive mechanism reduces energy consumption and maintenance costs, maintaining stability and efficiency under varying operating conditions remains a challenge. This study investigates thermo-syphoning in a rectangular closed-loop system and develops optimal control strategies like using a Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) and Model Predictive Control (MPC) to ensure stable and efficient heat removal while explicitly addressing physical constraints. The results demonstrate that MPC improves system stability and reduces energy usage through optimized control actions by nearly one-third in the initial energy requirement. Compared to the LQR and unconstrained MPC, MPC with active constraints effectively manages input limitations, ensuring safer and more practical operation. With its predictive capability and adaptability, the proposed MPC framework offers a robust, scalable solution for real-time industrial applications, supporting the development of sustainable and adaptive natural circulation pipeline systems.

Keywords: Model Predictive Control; Linear Quadratic Regulator; natural circulation; thermo-syphoning; pipeline systems (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/19/8807/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/19/8807/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:19:p:8807-:d:1762577

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().