Improving continuous–discrete interval observers with application to microalgae-based bioprocesses

Based on intervals bounding the uncertain initial conditions, inputs, model parameters and measurements, interval observers provide guaranteed intervals for the state trajectory. However, most of the published studies focus on methods relying on continuous-time on-line measurements, or at least, relatively fast sampling. In this study, interval state estimation methods are proposed in the situation, quite common in biological systems, where measurements are only available at discrete, and possibly rare, times. The attention is focused on defining predictors preserving the boundedness of the state variables between two measurement times assuming bounded uncertainties. The methods are tested with simulated data from continuous cultures of green algae.