A Graphical User Interface (GUI) is developed in MATLAB as a tutorial for understanding the PCA-based MSPC strategy. It uses a nonlinear model of a binary distillation column implemented in Simulink. The nonlinear model has four manipulated variables, four controlled variables and three input measured disturbances, plus 41 molar fractions corresponding to every column stage. The methodology for PCA-based MSPC is implemented in two phases. During Phase I, the user can simulate the distillation column under normal operating conditions at three different operating points. When the simulation is finished, the GUI obtains the corresponding PCA model automatically. In Phase II, the user can simulate several scenarios with different combinations of disturbances and failures and monitorize them through Squared Prediction Error (SPE) and T2 control charts. Contribution plots are used in conjunction with these control charts to check the original variables responsible of such abnormal situations.
The application allows starting a new benchmark from scratch or opening a previously saved one. User can save its progress at any time as well as export simulation results to an Excel file. Each sheet in this Excel file corresponds to a test in the benchmark. If Excel is not present, the software will attempt to write file in CSV format.
This work is part of a Master Thesis available at http://mseg.webs.upv.es/App%20Data/VillalbaT.pdf. It includes a tutorial for this software.
To start the GUI run "MSPC_main.m".
Note that, the first time the software is run, the simulation may take some time to run.