University of Texas-Austin
University of Texas-Austin

About Dr. Edgar

The George T. and Gladys H. Abell Chair in Engineering

Dr. Thomas F. Edgar awarded the 2015 Richard E. Bellman Award. Click for details

Photo of Thomas F. Edgar

Research Presentation for Prospective Graduate Students 

Educational Qualifications (Biosketch)

Research

Research Summary Slides in PDF Format
  • Control system monitoring and diagnosis are important to ensure that plant performance is close to optimal and that process variable data used in control algorithms is accurate. We are researching performance monitoring of feedback control algorithms for linear processes, and have developed methods that can handle single loop PID, model predictive control and multiloop control with or without constraints.We are also investigating the monitoring of process and sensor faults when variations in duration of batch steps occur. Both data-driven and physical models are being employed. Applications to semiconductor manufacturing and bioreactors are being studied.
  • Microelectronics manufacturing is an area where process modeling and control are receiving increased attention. We are carrying out a number of projects in cooperation with semiconductor companies. In semiconductor fabs run-to-run behavior can be influenced by reactor aging, first wafer effects, and other non-uniform processing conditions. In one project we are modeling the run-to-run behavior of these processes and utilize that information for improved control. To deal with multiple product/multiple tool control, sequential parameter estimation techniques are used to update the models and perform model-based control, with application to "high-mix" fabs with more than 20 products. Optimal sampling strategies are also being investigated.
  • With the recent increase in the demand for oil and the predicted decline in available supply, the ability to obtain oil efficiently and economically has become increasingly important. There is interest in automating decisions regarding secondary recovery techniques, particularly water injection schemes, to yield so-called "Smart reservoirs". Reservoir simulators have traditionally been too large and run times too long to allow for rigorous solution in an optimization algorithm. It has also proven very difficult to marry an optimizer with the large set of nonlinear differential equations required for reservoir simulation. We have used a recently developed inter-well connectivity model that concentrates on the relationship between injection and production wells. Then we can balance and optimize the effects of injections wells to maximize the net present value of oil production from a given reservoir.
  • Maximizing energy efficiency is receiving increased attention as a way to reduce the use of fossil fuels and the resulting production of greenhouse gases, thus providing an avenue to address possible future legislation of cap and trade or a carbon tax.  Automation, process control, and optimization are critical technologies to operate plants in the most efficient way and to pursue the smart manufacturing paradigm.  The increased use of renewable energy such as solar or wind power reduces carbon usage but adds a dynamic element to power production in process plants, which may involve interfacing with smart grids.  Time of day pricing of power and use of demand response techniques to flatten load profiles will be important ingredients of smart grids.  Increased usage of thermal and other energy storage systems will also give industrial energy users some additional degrees of freedom to deal with the dynamic power conditions.
  • For more details on Dr. Edgar’s research projects visit the Texas-Wisconsin-California Control Consortium (TWCCC) website.  View Dr. Edgar’s CHE360 Process Control course website or CHE359 Energy, Technology, and Policy website for curriculum material.

Awards & Honors

Richard E. Bellman Control Heritage Award (2015)
National Academy of Engineering (2014)
AIChE Research Excellence in Sustainable Engineering Award (2013)
AIChE Van Antwerpen Award (2010)
Council for Chemical Research Pruitt Award (2009)
IFAC Fellow (2008)
Process Automation Hall of Fame (Control Magazine) (2007)
AIChE Warren K. Lewis Award in Chemical Engineering Education (2006)
IFAC Control Engineering Prize (2005)
ASEE: Meriam-Wiley Distinguished Author Award (1990), Fellow (2005)
Computing in Chemical Engineering Award (1995), President (1997)
George Westinghouse Award (1988), Chemical Engineering Division Lecturer (1996)
AIChE: Colburn Award (1980), Director (1989-92), Fellow (1995)
ISA Eckman Education Award (1993)
Chair, Council for Chemical Research (1992-93)
AACC Education Award (1992)
President, American Automatic Control Council (AACC) (1990-91)

Books by Dr. Edgar

Optimiztion Book Cover

Table of Contents

Power Point Slides

Table of Contents

Power Point Slides

Selected Publications

  • J. Davis, and T.F. Edgar.  Smart Process Manufacturing, A Vision of the Future Design for Energy and the Environment (Proc. 7th Int. Conf. FOCAPD 2009), pp. 149-165, Breckenridge, CO, June 2009, Taylor and Francis, Boca Raton, FL, 2009.
  • S. Ziaii, S. Cohen, G.T. Rochelle, T.F. Edgar, M.E. Webber.  "Dynamic Operation of Amine Scrubbing in Response to Electricity Demand and Pricing,Energy Procedia I, pp. 4047-4053, 2009.
  • J.S. Kim, J. Byeon, D. Chun, S.W. Sung, J.T. Lee and T.F. Edgar, Relay Feedback Method for Processes Under Noisy Environments", AIChE Journal, Vol. 56, No. 2, pp. 560-562, 2010.
  • S. Abrol, T.F. Edgar, "Fast and Versatile Technique for Constrained State Estimation",J. Process Control 21 (2010) 343-350.
  • S. Abrol, M. Lu, D. Hill, A. Herrick, and T.F. Edgar, "Faster Dynamic Process Simulation using In Situ Adaptive Tabulation",Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 2010, 49 (17) pp. 7814-7823.
  • J. Lee, S.W. Sung, T.F. Edgar, "Area Methods for Relay Feedback Tests",Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 2010, 49 (17), pp.7807-7813.
  • B. Spivey, J.D. Hedengren, T.F. Edgar, "Constrained Nonlinear Estimation for Industrial Process Fouling", Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 2010, 49 (17), pp. 7824-7831.
  • J. Lee, S.W. Sung, T.F. Edgar, "Area method for a Biased Relay Feedback System",Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 2010, 49 (17), pp. 8016-8020.
  • B. Gill, T.F. Edgar, J.D. Stuber, "A Novel Approach to Virtual Metrology Using Kalman Filtering",Future Fab International, 2010, Issue 35.


Pictures and Group Updates

Abby Ondeck and Krystian Perez Win the 2015 Energy Bowl


Image credit: ExxonMobil
(10/22/2015) Abigail Ondeck and Krystian Perez were members of the first place team at the Net Impact and ExxonMobil Energy Bowl held at UT Austin. The Energy Bowl, a trivia based competition, tested students' knowledge of energy issues using a series of questions around energy sources, efficiency, and projected trends in energy use. The competition was diverse, including other engineering, natural science, and MBA students. The winning team also included Sean Wood (Chemical Engineering) and Jonathan Major (Geology).

Edgar Ranch Fish Fry 2015

Group alumni win CAST awards at AICHE 2014

Award winner John Hedegren and Wesley Cole at AICHE 2014 annual meeting, CAST division
(12/01/2014) John Hedengren and Wesley Cole are PhD graduates of the group; they received CAST division awards at AICHE 2014 Annual Meeting in Atlanta for their outstanding contribution to the application of computing and systems technology to Chemical Engineering.


Professor Edgar Ranch BBQ 2012

BBQ collage at Edgar Ranch 2012
Ranch Pictures on min.us, the complete gallery