Abstract
This paper tackles the control problem of nonlinear disturbed polynomial systems using the formalism of output feedback linearization and a subsequent sliding mode control design. This aims to ensure the asymptotic stability of an unstable equilibrium point. The class of systems under investigation has an equivalent Byrnes-Isidori normal form, which reveals stable zero dynamics. For the case of modeling uncertainties and/or process dynamic disturbances, conventional feedback linearizing control strategies may fail to be efficient. To design a robust control strategy, meta-heuristic techniques are synthesized with feedback linearization and sliding mode control. The resulting control design guarantees the decoupling of the system output from disturbances and achieves the desired output trajectory tracking with asymptotically stable dynamic behavior. The effectiveness and efficiency of the designed technique were assessed based on a benchmark model of a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) through numerical simulation analysis.