Setpoint Tracking Predictive Control in Chemical Processes Based on System Identification

A Kraft recovery boiler in a pulp-paper mill provides a means for recovery of the heat energy in spent liquor and recovery of inorganic chemicals while controlling emissions. These processes are carried out in a combined chemical recovery unit and steam boiler that is fired with concentrated black liquor and which produces molten smelt. Since the recovery boiler is considered to be an essential part of the pulp-paper mill in terms of energy resources, the performance of the recovery boiler has to be controlled to achieve the highest efficiency under unexpected disturbances. This dissertation presents a new approach for combining system identification technique with predictive control strategy. System identification is the process of building mathematical models of dynamical systems based on the available input and output data from the system. Predictive control is a strategy where the current control action is based upon a prediction of the system response at some number of time steps into the future. A new algorithm uses an i-step-ahead predictor integrated with the least-square technique to build the new control law. Based on the receding horizon predictive control approach, the tracking predictive control law is achieved and performs successfully on the recovery boiler of the pulp-paper mill. This predictive controller is designed from ARX coefficients that are computed directly from input and output data. The character of this controller is governed by two parameters. One parameter is the prediction horizon as in traditional predictive control and the other parameter is the order of the ARX model. A recursive version of the developed algorithm can be evolved for real-time implementation. It includes adaptive tuning of these two design parameters for optimal performance. The new predictive control is proven to be a significant improvement compared to a conventional PID controller, especially when the system is subjected to noise and disturbances

Weiner Model Drop Test Identification of a Light Amphibious Airplane

The new approach of the Weiner model for identifying drop test dynamics of a light amphibious airplane is presented in this paper. Unlike the traditional identification method of the Hammerstein model using LS-SVM with Gaussian radial basis serving as the kernel function, the small-signal excitation input is used to estimate the linear block of the Weiner model. Then, the static nonlinearity function of the model is identified through LS-SVM. The RMSE of the proposed Weiner model is 0.48805 and 0.38246 for the strut and wheel of the landing gear. The proposed Weiner model has better identification performance than the Hammerstein model and the traditional governing equation of the landing gear. The drop experiment of the light amphibious airplane is carried out not only to prove standard airworthiness compliance but also to verify the identifiability, accuracy, and performance of system identification