Method for implementing indirect controller

A computer program product, residing on a computer readable medium, for use in implementing an indirect controller with a system model in a plant operable for performing a process, the plant having a plurality of inputs, the inputs being manipulable by a controller to operate the plant, a particular combination of inputs received by the plant defining an operating region, the computer program product comprising instructions for causing a computer to:

• select the indirect controller to operate the plant;
• detect that the performance of the system model is low;
• select a direct controller instead of the indirect controller to operate the plant by maintaining operation around a particular operating region corresponding to detecting that the performance of the system model is low;
• adapt the system model;
• detect that the performance of the system model is acceptable;
• and
• select the indirect controller to operate the plant.

A system for implementing indirect control in a plant operable for performing a process, the plant having a plurality of inputs subject to control to operate the plant, a particular combination of inputs received by the plant defining an operating region, comprising:

• means for modeling the operation of the plant;
• means for providing indirect control of the plant;
• means for providing direct control of the plant, including means for maintaining operation around a particular operating region;
• means for evaluating the performance of the means for modeling the operation of the plant;
• means for selecting indirect control or direct control to operate the plant based on the evaluated performance of the means for modeling the operation of the plant;
• and
• means for adapting the means for modeling the operation of the plant.