COMPLEX PROCESS NETWORKS: PASSIVITY AND OPTIMALITY

Abstract: We introduce a novel modelling framework for studying dynamics, distributed control, and optimization of complex networks made up of chemical processes. We are interested in developing self-organizing structures so that stability and optimality follows as a consequence of how the networks are put together and how they are connected with boundary conditions or other networks. By considering only the topology of the system and basic conservation principles, a result analogous to Tellegen’s Theorem of electrical circuit theory is produced. Using this result and passivity theory, a network is shown to converge to a stationary point when the flow relationships are positive. Also, under similar conditions, it is shown that the network is self-optimizing in that the entropy production is minimized. Copyright c©2005 IFAC 1