Model-based control of a simulated moving bed chromatographic process for the separation of fructose and glucose

Chromatographic separations are an expanding technology for the separation of high value products, particularly in the area of pharmaceutics, food, and fine chemicals. The simulated moving bed (SMB) process as a continuous chromatographic separation process is an interesting alternative to conventional batch chromatography, and gained more and more impact recently. The SMB process is realized by connecting several single chromatographic columns in series. A countercurrent movement of the bed is approximated by a cyclic switching of the inlet and outlet ports in the direction of the fluid stream. Because of its complex dynamics, the optimal operation and automatic control of SMB processes is a challenging task. This paper presents the design of a model-based optimization and control scheme for SMB chromatographic separation processes and its application to the separation of fructose and glucose. We propose a two-layer control architecture where the optimal operating trajectory is calculated off-line by dynamic optimization based on a rigorous process model. The parameters of the model are adapted based on online measurements. The low-level control task is to keep the process on the optimal trajectory despite disturbances and plant/model mismatch. Here identification models based on simulation data of the rigorous process model along the optimal trajectory are combined with a suitable local controller. The efficiency of the trajectory control algorithm is shown in a simulation study for the separation of fructose and glucose on an 8-column SMB plant.     

Real‐time nonlinear moving horizon observer with pre‐estimation for aircraft sensor fault detection and estimation

This paper presents a real‐time nonlinear moving horizon observer (MHO) with pre‐estimation and its application to aircraft sensor fault detection and estimation. An MHO determines the state estimates by minimizing the output estimation errors online, considering a finite sequence of current and past measured data and the available system model. To achieve the real‐time implementability of such an online optimization–based observer, 2 particular strategies are adopted. First, a pre‐estimating observer is embedded to compensate for model uncertainties so that the calculation of disturbance estimates in a standard MHO can be avoided without losing much estimation performance. This strategy significantly reduces the online computational complexity. Second, a real‐time iteration scheme is proposed by performing only 1 iteration of sequential quadratic programming with local Gauss‐Newton approximation to the nonlinear optimization problem. Since existing stability analyses of real‐time moving horizon observers cannot address the incorporation of the pre‐estimating observer, a new stability analysis is performed in the presence of bounded disturbances and noises. Using a nonlinear passenger aircraft benchmark simulator, the simulation results show that the proposed approach achieves a good compromise between estimation performance and computational complexity compared with the extended Kalman filtering and 2 other moving horizon observers.     

Constrained state estimation for nonlinear discrete-time systems: stability and moving horizon approximations

State estimator design for a nonlinear discrete-time system is a challenging problem, further complicated when additional physical insight is available in the form of inequality constraints on the state variables and disturbances. One strategy for constrained state estimation is to employ online optimization using a moving horizon approximation. We propose a general theory for constrained moving horizon estimation. Sufficient conditions for asymptotic and bounded stability are established. We apply these results to develop a practical algorithm for constrained linear and nonlinear state estimation. Examples are used to illustrate the benefits of constrained state estimation. Our framework is deterministic.     

Online moving horizon estimation of fluxes in metabolic reaction networks

Using online state and parameter estimation, concentrations and fluxes in bioprocesses can be estimated for use in monitoring, optimization and control applications. Existing methodologies, however, either ignore the dynamic nature of the problem, or focus on the extracellular concentration states and pay less attention to accurate flux estimates. These estimates are useful for online monitoring of the flux state of an organism, or for developing novel flux-based strategies for online control of bioreactors.In this contribution, the dynamic metabolic flux analysis model structure is combined with two kinetic flux models: a linear flux model and a nonlinear, more mechanistic flux model. The parameters of these models are estimated online through a moving horizon estimation strategy. The resulting algorithm is illustrated on two simulated case studies: a small-scale network, to assess the influence of important algorithm parameters on the final estimates, and a medium-scale network for Escherichia coli, to empirically test the performance of the methodology in a more realistic situation.An important parameter in this estimation strategy is the chosen noise level on the estimated parameters. This choice is not trivial, but is observed to have a significant influence on the resulting estimates. Furthermore, also the effect of the choice of the null space basis for the stoichiometric matrix of the metabolic reaction network was assessed. In the small-scale case study, it was found that a linear flux model with a specific parameter noise level was performing well for both state and flux estimation. The influence of the choice of the null space basis matrix on the estimation performance was much lower. The resulting scenario was evaluated in the medium-scale case study and found to be performing very well also in that case.     

Robust moving horizon estimation based output feedback economic model predictive control

In this work, we develop an economic model predictive control scheme for a class of nonlinear systems with bounded process and measurement noise. In order to achieve fast convergence of the state estimates to the actual system state as well as the robustness of the observer to measurement and process noise, a deterministic (high-gain) observer is first applied for a small time period with continuous output measurements to drive the estimation error to a small value; after this initial small time period, a robust moving horizon estimation scheme is used on-line to provide more accurate and smoother state estimates. In the design of the robust moving horizon estimation scheme, the deterministic observer is used to calculate reference estimates and confidence regions that contain the actual system state. Within the confidence regions, the moving horizon estimation scheme is allowed to optimize its estimates. The output feedback economic model predictive controller is designed via Lyapunov techniques based on state estimates provided by the deterministic observer and the moving horizon estimation scheme. The stability of the closed-loop system is analyzed rigorously and conditions that ensure the closed-loop stability are derived. Extensive simulations based on a chemical process example illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.     

Use of multiple models and qualitative knowledge for on-line moving horizon disturbance estimation and fault diagnosis

An integrated fault detection, fault isolation, and parameter estimation technique is presented in this paper. Process model parameters are treated as disturbances that dynamically affect the process outputs. A moving horizon estimation technique minimizes the error between process and model measurements over a finite horizon by calculating model parameter values across the estimation horizon. To implement qualitative process knowledge, this minimization is constrained such that only a limited number of different faults (parameters) may change during a specific horizon window. Multiple linear models are used to capture nonlinear process characteristics such as asymmetric response, variable dynamics, and changing gains. Problems of solution multiplicity and computational time are addressed. Results from a nonlinear chemical reactor simulation are presented.     

Multi-rate optimizing control of simulated moving beds

This paper presents an optimizing control scheme for simulated moving beds (SMB) that enables to incorporate multi-rate (MR) sampled measurements into the control and estimation problem in a clear and transparent manner. This is particularly relevant for chiral separations where online monitoring requires the combination of various analytical techniques that may operate on widely varying time scales. An MR periodic linear time-varying (PLTV) model is derived for the SMB process. The cyclic nature of the process is exploited by formulating the MR-PLTV model within a repetitive model predictive control framework. Simulation results for the chiral separation of the guaifenesin enantiomers are presented. The proposed multi-rate controller is able to deliver increased productivity while respecting the process and product specifications.     

基于Vericol工艺的模拟移动床的动态仿真

针对传统模拟移动床(SMB)的工艺是各个进出料口切换周期固定且同步的问题,采用了模拟移动床零附加成本的Varicol工艺设计改造。因为SMB运行方式中各个进出料口在每个固定周期末是同步切换,而Varicol运行方式通过将每个切换周期细化,在细化后的小周期内实现进出料口的异步切换,使得模拟移动床各功能区的柱数配置可随时间变化而进行周期性的变换。本文设计了多种Vericol模式,并对不同模式下的模型进行仿真获得了其对应分离指标。仿真结果表明,Varicol工艺比传统SMB工艺具有更高自由度和更好的表现性。     

Adaptive model predictive control for a class of constrained linear systems based on the comparison model

This paper proposes an adaptive model predictive control (MPC) algorithm for a class of constrained linear systems, which estimates system parameters on-line and produces the control input satisfying input/state constraints for possible parameter estimation errors. The key idea is to combine the robust MPC method based on the comparison model with an adaptive parameter estimation method suitable for MPC. To this end, first, a new parameter update method based on the moving horizon estimation is proposed, which allows to predict an estimation error bound over the prediction horizon. Second, an adaptive MPC algorithm is developed by combining the on-line parameter estimation with an MPC method based on the comparison model, suitably modified to cope with the time-varying case. This method guarantees feasibility and stability of the closed-loop system in the presence of state/input constraints. A numerical example is given to demonstrate its effectiveness.     

Distributed moving horizon state estimation for nonlinear systems with bounded uncertainties

In this work, we propose a distributed moving horizon state estimation (DMHE) design for a class of nonlinear systems with bounded output measurement noise and process disturbances. Specifically, we consider a class of nonlinear systems that are composed of several subsystems and the subsystems interact with each other via their subsystem states. First, a distributed estimation algorithm is designed which specifies the information exchange protocol between the subsystems and the implementation strategy of the DMHE. Subsequently, a local moving horizon estimation (MHE) scheme is designed for each subsystem. In the design of each subsystem MHE, an auxiliary nonlinear deterministic observer that can asymptotically track the corresponding nominal subsystem state when the subsystem interactions are absent is taken advantage of. For each subsystem, the nonlinear deterministic observer together with an error correction term is used to calculate a confidence region for the subsystem state every sampling time. Within the confidence region, the subsystem MHE is allowed to optimize its estimate. The proposed DMHE scheme is proved to give bounded estimation errors. It is also possible to tune the convergence rate of the state estimate given by the DMHE to the actual system state. The performance of the proposed DMHE is illustrated via the application to a reactor-separator process example.     

Neural network-based identification of SMB chromatographic processes

In this contribution, the identification problem for the control of nonlinear simulated moving bed (SMB) chromatographic processes is addressed. For process control the flow rates of extract, desorbent, and recycle of the SMB process, and the switching time are the manipulated variables. But these variables influence the process in a strongly coupled manner. Therefore, a new set of input variables is introduced by a nonlinear transformation of the physical inputs, such that the couplings are reduced considerably. The front positions of the axial concentration profile are taken as model outputs. Multilayer feedforward neural networks (NN) are utilized as approximating models of the nonlinear input–output behavior. The gradient distribution of the model outputs with respect to the inputs is used to determine their structural parameters and the network size is chosen by the SVD method. To illustrate the effectiveness of the identification method, a laboratory scale SMB process is used as an example. The simulation results of the identified model confirm a very good approximation of the first principles models and exhibit a satisfactory long-range prediction performance.     

Automatic control of the simulated moving bed process for C8 aromatics separation using asymptotically exact input/output-linearization

An approach to automatic control of the simulated moving bed process (SMB) applied to the separation of C₈ aromatics is presented. The principle of asymptotically exact input/output-linearization is used. The controller is based on a nonlinear state estimator using the true moving bed model (TMB). The estimator receives measurement data from four spectroscopic measurement cells. The problem of moving measurement positions with respect to the TMB model is addressed. An exactly linearizing feedback of the estimated states is designed using the nonlinear TMB model equations. The performance of the controller is shown in simulations using a detailed SMB model as a representative of the real process.     

Stochastic control of processes having moving boundaries—An experimental study

A general state estimator requiring only discrete time measurements has been developed for nonlinear distributed parameter systems having moving boundaries. The state estimator has been combined with an optimal linear-quadratic feedback controller to provide a stochastic feedback control scheme for this class of problem. Both the state estimation and control algorithms were implemented in real time for a laboratory casting process and were found to perform well. The state estimation scheme would seem to hold the most interest for industrial applications.     

传感器网络中的分布式滚动时域状态估计

利用分布式滚动时域方法对无线传感器网络的状态估计问题进行研究,给出了基于量化测量值的滚动时域估计算法。在无线传感器网络的环境下处理分布式状态估计问题时,减少通信的成本是非常重要的一个环节,需要将观测值量化后再传送。以往的滚动时域估计方法无法处理量化观测值的状态估计问题,而本文的方法考虑了最严格的观测值量化情况即传感器只发送一个比特至融合中心的状态估计问题。与其它传感器网络中的状态估计方法相比,该方法减少了每一步的计算量。仿真结果验证了该算法的有效性。     

Nonlinear Bayesian Estimation: From Kalman Filtering to a Broader Horizon

This article presents an up-to-date tutorial review of nonlinear Bayesian estimation. State estimation for nonlinear systems has been a challenge encountered in a wide range of engineering fields, attracting decades of research effort. To date, one of the most promising and popular approaches is to view and address the problem from a Bayesian probabilistic perspective, which enables estimation of the unknown state variables by tracking their probabilistic distribution or statistics (e.g., mean and covariance) conditioned on a system's measurement data. This article offers a systematic introduction to the Bayesian state estimation framework and reviews various Kalman filtering (KF) techniques, progressively from the standard KF for linear systems to extended KF, unscented KF and ensemble KF for nonlinear systems. It also overviews other prominent or emerging Bayesian estimation methods including Gaussian filtering, Gaussian-sum filtering, particle filtering and moving horizon estimation and extends the discussion of state estimation to more complicated problems such as simultaneous state and parameter/input estimation.      

基于滚动时域估计的非线性目标跟踪*

实际的雷达跟踪问题大多属于非线性问题,存在着各种物理约束,采用基于在线滚动优化原理的滚动时域估计方法可以有效地处理带约束非线性目标跟踪问题。滚动时域估计通过引入到达代价函数,将非线性跟踪滤波问题转换为带约束的有限时域优化问题,可以有效减少优化问题求解的计算量,能够显著提高状态估计的准确度。针对实际的雷达跟踪问题,仿真结果表明,滚动时域估计能有效地提高非线性目标跟踪的精度。     

Receding horizon filtering for a class of discrete time-varying nonlinear systems with multiple missing measurements

This paper is concerned with the receding horizon filtering problem for a class of discrete time-varying nonlinear systems with multiple missing measurements. The phenomenon of missing measurements occurs in a random way and the missing probability is governed by a set of stochastic variables obeying the given Bernoulli distribution. By exploiting the projection theory combined with stochastic analysis techniques, a Kalman-type receding horizon filter is put forward to facilitate the online applications. Furthermore, by utilizing the conditional expectation, a novel estimation scheme of state covariance matrices is proposed to guarantee the implementation of the filtering algorithm. Finally, a simulation example is provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the established filtering scheme.     

Computation of arrival cost for moving horizon estimation via unscented Kalman filtering

Moving horizon estimation alleviates the computational burden of solving a full information estimation problem by considering a finite horizon of the measurement data, however, it is non-trivial to determine the arrival cost. A commonly used approach for computing the arrival cost is to use a first-order Taylor series approximation of the nonlinear model and then apply an extended Kalman filter. In this paper, an approach to compute the arrival cost for moving horizon estimation based on an unscented Kalman filter is proposed. The performance of such a moving horizon estimator is compared with the one based on an extended Kalman filter and illustrated in a case study.     

Humanoid state estimation using a moving horizon estimator

In this research, a new state estimator based on moving horizon estimation theory is suggested for the humanoid robot state estimation. So far, there are almost no studies on the moving horizon estimator (MHE)-based humanoid state estimator. Instead, a large number of humanoid state estimators based on the Kalman filter (KF) have been proposed. However, such estimators cannot guarantee optimality when the system model is nonlinear or when there is a non-Gaussian modeling error. In addition, with KF, it is difficult to incorporate inequality constraints. Since a humanoid is a complex system, its mathematical model is normally nonlinear, and is limited in its ability to characterize the system accurately. Therefore, KF-based humanoid state estimation has unavoidable limitations. To overcome these limitations, we propose a new approach to humanoid state estimation by using a MHE. It can accommodate not only nonlinear systems and constraints, but also it can partially cope with non-Gaussian modeling error. The proposed estimator framework facilitates the use of a simple model, even in the presence of a large modeling error. In addition, it can estimate the humanoid state more accurately than a KF-based estimator. The performance of the proposed approach was verified experimentally.     

Intelligent state estimation for fault tolerant nonlinear predictive control

There is growing realization that on-line model maintenance is the key to realizing long term benefits of a predictive control scheme. In this work, a novel intelligent nonlinear state estimation strategy is proposed, which keeps diagnosing the root cause(s) of the plant model mismatch by isolating the subset of active faults (abrupt changes in parameters/disturbances, biases in sensors/actuators, actuator/sensor failures) and auto-corrects the model on-line so as to accommodate the isolated faults/failures. To carry out the task of fault diagnosis in multivariate nonlinear time varying systems, we propose a nonlinear version of the generalized likelihood ratio (GLR) based fault diagnosis and identification (FDI) scheme (NL-GLR). An active fault tolerant NMPC (FTNMPC) scheme is developed that makes use of the fault/failure location and magnitude estimates generated by NL-GLR to correct the state estimator and prediction model used in NMPC formulation. This facilitates application of the fault tolerant scheme to nonlinear and time varying processes including batch and semi-batch processes. The advantages of the proposed intelligent state estimation and FTNMPC schemes are demonstrated by conducting simulation studies on a benchmark CSTR system, which exhibits input multiplicity and change in the sign of steady state gain, and a fed batch bioreactor, which exhibits strongly nonlinear dynamics. By simulating a regulatory control problem associated with an unstable nonlinear system given by Chen and Allgower [H. Chen, F. Allgower, A quasi infinite horizon nonlinear model predictive control scheme with guaranteed stability, Automatica 34(10) (1998) 1205–1217], we also demonstrate that the proposed intelligent state estimation strategy can be used to maintain asymptotic closed loop stability in the face of abrupt changes in model parameters. Analysis of the simulation results reveals that the proposed approach provides a comprehensive method for treating both faults (biases/drifts in sensors/actuators/model parameters) and failures (sensor/ actuator failures) under the unified framework of fault tolerant nonlinear predictive control.