Tzafestas S.G. (ed.) Distributed Parameter Control Systems: Theory and Application

Oxford: Pergamon Press, 2013. — 502 p.Distributed parameter control systems (i.e. systems the state equation of which is a partial differential equation) are encountered in an everincreasing variety of areas. More and more situations in Physics, in Chemistry, in Biomedicine, in Econometrics, etc.. are recognized to be adequately modelled by a distributed system.
These models are often non linear - and even in the classical "linearquadratic" case, one meets very interesting theoretical questions, the solution of which is of practical importance. Presently the theory of these systems has reached a well advanced state and many important results are available.
It is really with great pleasure that I write the prologue of this volume which is offering a distinguished service towards the end of documenting some of the most recent results in the field. The book covers in a well balanced way such areas as simulation, identification, state estimation, stability, control (optimal, stochastic, coordinated), numerical approximation methods, optimal sensor and actuator positioning, and five applications works which include chemical reactors, heat exchangers, petroleum reservoirs/aquifers, and nuclear reactors.
Of course, it is not possible to include in one volume all available results or to cover all fields of application, but the results and applications involved in this book are representative and cover some of the most important aspects of the distributed parameter systems area.
To give an idea of the vitality of this field, let us mention some important topics not covered in this book in a systematic manner: control of free surfaces, optimum design, control of systems with instabilities, multi-states and bifurcations. Several books are now in preparation on these topics; this volume - which will be complemented by the publication of the Encyclopedia of Systems and Control, edited by Professor M.G. Singh - provides a very significant addition to the current literature on distributed parameter systems and will no doubt stimulate further research and further applications.