On the theory of dynamic plug‐flow processes: Inlet control and distributed trajectory control

Topological methods are applied in a study of the periodic operation of plug‐flow processes. Attention is focused on periodic processes, but the results are shown to apply to other important situations. Three combinations of control options are considered and compared. Attainable sets for each case are characterized. The theory describes comparisons between steady state and time‐varying controls and the à priori structure of optimal control.