Nonlinear Model-Based Predictive Control Using a Generalised Hammerstein Model and its Application to a Semi-Batch Reactor

In recent years, much attention has been focused upon predictive control of nonlinear systems. The implementation of such a control strategy for real processes has greatly improved their performance. This paper deals with a model-based predictivecontrol (MBPC) strategy using a generalised Hammerstein model and its application to the temperature control of a semibatch reactor. Both unconstrained and constrained adaptive control problems are considered. A simple identification method based on the weighted recursive least squares method (WRLS) is used to estimate the model parameters on-line. An indirect adaptive nonlinear controller is designed by combining the predictive controller with an indirect parameter estimation algorithm. This adaptive scheme has been applied for the control of a semi-batch chemical reactor. Experimental results show that the performance of the generalised Hammerstein MBPC (NLMBPC) was significantly better than that of a linear model predictive controller (LMBPC). ID="A1"Correspondance and offprint requests to: Dr F. M'sahli, Department of Electrical Engineering, ISETKH, Avenue Hadj Ali Soua, 5070, Ksar Hellal, Monastir, Tunisia. E-mail: msahli-fn@iyahoo.fr