Antiwindup Input-Output Linearization Strategy for the Control of a Multistage Continuous Fermenter With Input Constraints

The present paper deals with the control of a Multi-Stage Continuous Fermenter (MSCF) used for the study of wine fermentation. The control design is facing three main difficulties: (1) system nonlinearity; (2) lack of on-line measurement of the controlled variable (sugar concentration); (3) positive constraints on the control inputs (inlet flow rates of each tank) coming from the cascade structure of the system. A control strategy has been proposed that accounts for these specificities. It is based on an input-output linearization control law coupled with an anti-windup technique and a state observer (Kalman filter). The strategy has been tested and validated first on numerical simulations and has then been applied to the real process. The experiments gave satisfactory results that open up new perspectives on the use of the MSCF

Applications of Mathematical Models in Engineering

The most influential research topic in the twenty-first century seems to be mathematics, as it generates innovation in a wide range of research fields. It supports all engineering fields, but also areas such as medicine, healthcare, business, etc. Therefore, the intention of this Special Issue is to deal with mathematical works related to engineering and multidisciplinary problems. Modern developments in theoretical and applied science have widely depended our knowledge of the derivatives and integrals of the fractional order appearing in engineering practices. Therefore, one goal of this Special Issue is to focus on recent achievements and future challenges in the theory and applications of fractional calculus in engineering sciences. The special issue included some original research articles that address significant issues and contribute towards the development of new concepts, methodologies, applications, trends and knowledge in mathematics. Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the following: Fractional mathematical models; Computational methods for the fractional PDEs in engineering; New mathematical approaches, innovations and challenges in biotechnologies and biomedicine; Applied mathematics; Engineering research based on advanced mathematical tools