Intelligent adaptive control of bioreactors

Supervised model-based self-tuning control of fermentation processes is addressed. The diversity, nonlinearity and time-varying nature of these processes make their control a challenging task. Conventional linear (PID) controllers with fixed parameters cannot meet the increasing performance requirements over the whole operating range. In the approach pursued in this research, a local linear model is identified at the current working point by using a limited amount input–output data obtained through an identification experiment. A linear controller is then tuned on the basis of this model. To minimize the intervention into the process operation, this tuning procedure is only initiated if the performance of the current controller deteriorates. To this end, a supervisory expert system is designed whose tasks are to monitor the process performance, design an appropriate identification experiment, validate the obtained model and tune the controller. The supervisory system is based on a combination of a state automaton with a rule-based fuzzy inference system. Experimental results have demonstrated the feasibility of this approach.

Authors and Affiliations

1. Faculty of Information Technology and Systems, Control Engineering Laboratory, Mekelweg 4, Delft University of Technology, P.O. Box 5031, 2600 GA, Delft, The Netherlands

   R. Babuška & M. R. Damen

2. Halotec Delft B.V., Delftechpark 19, 2628 XJ, Delft, The Netherlands

   C. Hellinga

3. Applikon Dependable Instruments B.V., P.O. Box 149, 3100 AC, Schiedam, The Netherlands

   H. Maarleveld

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