Uncertainty and disturbance estimator-based model predictive control for wet flue gas desulphurization system

Wet flue gas desulphurization technology is widely used in the industrial process for its capability of efficient pollution removal.The desulphurization control system,however,is subjected to complex reaction mechanisms and severe disturbances,which make for it difficult to achieve certain practically relevant control goals including emission and economic performances as well as system robustness.To address these challenges,a new robust control scheme based on uncertainty and disturbance estimator(UDE)and model predictive control(MPC)is proposed in this paper.The UDE is used to estimate and dynamically compensate acting disturbances,whereas MPC is deployed for optimal feedback regulation of the resultant dynamics.By viewing the system nonlinearities and unknown dynamics as disturbances,the proposed control framework allows to locally treat the considered nonlinear plant as a linear one.The obtained simulation results confirm that the utilization of UDE makes the tracking error negligibly small,even in the presence of unmodeled dynamics.In the conducted comparison study,the introduced control scheme outperforms both the standard MPC and PID(proportional-integral-derivative)control strategies in terms of transient performance and robustness.Furthermore,the results reveal that a lowpass-filter time constant has a significant effect on the robustness and the convergence range of the tracking error.

Path Tracking Controller Design of Automated Parking Systems via NMPC with an Instructible Solution

Parking difficulties have become a social issue that people have to solve.Automated parking system is practicable for quick par operations without a driver which can also greatly reduces the probability of parking accidents.The paper proposes a Lyapunov-based nonlinear model predictive controller embedding an instructable solution which is generated by the modified rear-wheel feedback method(RF-LNMPC)in order to improve the overall path tracking accuracy in parking conditions.Firstly,A discrete-time RF-LNMPC considering the position and attitude of the parking vehicle is proposed to increase the success rate of automated parking effectively.Secondly,the RF-LNMPC problem with a multi-objective cost function is solved by the Interior-Point Optimization,of which the iterative initial values are described as the instructable solutions calculated by combining modified rear-wheel feedback to improve the performance of local optimal solution.Thirdly,the details on the computation of the terminal constraint and terminal cost for the linear time-varying case is presented.The closed-loop stability is verified via Lyapunov techniques by considering the terminal constraint and terminal cost theoretically.Finally,the proposed RF-LNMPC is implemented on a selfdriving Lincoln MKZ platform and the experiment results have shown improved performance in parallel and vertical parking conditions.The Monte Carlo analysis also demonstrates good stability and repeatability of the proposed method which can be applied in practical use in the near future.

Pre-compensation of Friction for CNC Machine Tools through Constructing a Nonlinear Model Predictive Scheme

Nonlinear friction is a dominant factor afecting the control accuracy of CNC machine tools.This paper proposes a friction pre-compensation method for CNC machine tools through constructing a nonlinear model predictive scheme.The nonlinear friction-induced tracking error is frstly modeled and then utilized to establish the nonlinear model predictive scheme,which is subsequently used to optimize the compensation signal by treating the friction-induced tracking error as the optimization objective.During the optimization procedure,the derivative of compensation signal is constrained to avoid vibration of machine tools.In contrast to other existing approaches,the proposed method only needs the parameters of Stribeck friction model and an additional tuning parameter,while fnely identifying the parameters related to the pre-sliding phenomenon is not required.As a result,it greatly facilitates the practical applicability.Both air cutting and real cutting experiments conducted on an in-house developed open-architecture CNC machine tool prove that the proposed method can reduce the tracking errors by more than 56%,and reduce the contour errors by more than 50%.

Nonlinear Model Predictive Control Based on Support Vector Machine with Multi-kernel

Multi-kernel-based support vector machine （SVM） model structure of nonlinear systems and its specific identification method is proposed, which is composed of a SVM with linear kernel function followed in series by a SVM with spline kernel function. With the help of this model, nonlinear model predictive control can be transformed to linear model predictive control, and consequently a unified analytical solution of optimal input of multi-step-ahead predictive control is possible to derive. This algorithm does not require online iterative optimization in order to be suitable for real-time control with less calculation. The simulation results of pH neutralization process and CSTR reactor show the effectiveness and advantages of the presented algorithm.

Robust Adaptive Gain Higher Order Sliding Mode Observer Based Control-constrained Nonlinear Model Predictive Control for Spacecraft Formation Flying

This work deals with the development of a decentralized optimal control algorithm, along with a robust observer,for the relative motion control of spacecraft in leader-follower based formation. An adaptive gain higher order sliding mode observer has been proposed to estimate the velocity as well as unmeasured disturbances from the noisy position measurements.A differentiator structure containing the Lipschitz constant and Lebesgue measurable control input, is utilized for obtaining the estimates. Adaptive tuning algorithms are derived based on Lyapunov stability theory, for updating the observer gains,which will give enough flexibility in the choice of initial estimates.Moreover, it may help to cope with unexpected state jerks. The trajectory tracking problem is formulated as a finite horizon optimal control problem, which is solved online. The control constraints are incorporated by using a nonquadratic performance functional. An adaptive update law has been derived for tuning the step size in the optimization algorithm, which may help to improve the convergence speed. Moreover, it is an attractive alternative to the heuristic choice of step size for diverse operating conditions. The disturbance as well as state estimates from the higher order sliding mode observer are utilized by the plant output prediction model, which will improve the overall performance of the controller. The nonlinear dynamics defined in leader fixed Euler-Hill frame has been considered for the present work and the reference trajectories are generated using Hill-Clohessy-Wiltshire equations of unperturbed motion. The simulation results based on rigorous perturbation analysis are presented to confirm the robustness of the proposed approach.

SVM with Quadratic Polynomial Kernel Function Based Nonlinear Model One-step-ahead Predictive Control

A support vector machine (SVM) with quadratic polynomial kernel function based nonlinear model one-step-ahead predictive controller is presented. The SVM based predictive model is established with black-box identification method. By solving a cubic equation in the feature space, an explicit predictive control law is obtained through the predictive control mechanism. The effect of controller is demonstrated on a recognized benchmark problem and on the control of continuous-stirred tank reactor (CSTR). Simulation results show that SVM with quadratic polynomial kernel function based predictive controller can be well applied to nonlinear systems, with good performance in following reference trajectory as well as in disturbance-rejection.

Constrained predictive control based on T-S fuzzy model for nonlinear systems

A constrained generalized predictive control （GPC） algorithm based on the T-S fuzzy model is presented for the nonlinear system. First, a Takagi-Sugeno （T-S） fuzzy model based on the fuzzy cluster algorithm and the orthogonalleast square method is constructed to approach the nonlinear system. Since its consequence is linear, it can divide the nonlinear system into a number of linear or nearly linear subsystems. For this T-S fuzzy model, a GPC algorithm with input constraints is presented. This strategy takes into account all the constraints of the control signal and its increment, and does not require the calculation of the Diophantine equations. So it needs only a small computer memory and the computational speed is high. The simulation results show a good performance for the nonlinear systems.

Dynamic optimization oriented modeling and nonlinear model predictive control of the wet limestone FGD system

Nonlinear model predictive control(NMPC)scheme is an effective method of multi-objective optimization control in complex industrial systems.In this paper,a NMPC scheme for the wet limestone flue gas desulphurization(WFGD)system is proposed which provides a more flexible framework of optimal control and decision-making compared with PID scheme.At first,a mathematical model of the FGD process is deduced which is suitable for NMPC structure.To equipoise the model’s accuracy and conciseness,the wet limestone FGD system is separated into several modules.Based on the conservation laws,a model with reasonable simplification is developed to describe dynamics of different modules for the purpose of controller design.Then,by addressing economic objectives directly into the NMPC scheme,the NMPC controller can minimize economic cost and track the set-point simultaneously.The accuracy of model is validated by the field data of a 1000 MW thermal power plant in Henan Province,China.The simulation results show that the NMPC strategy improves the economic performance and ensures the emission requirement at the same time.In the meantime,the control scheme satisfies the multiobjective control requirements under complex operation conditions(e.g.,boiler load fluctuation and set point variation).The mathematical model and NMPC structure provides the basic work for the future development of advanced optimized control algorithms in the wet limestone FGD systems.

Support vector machine based nonlinear model multi-step-ahead optimizing predictive control

A support vector machine with guadratic polynomial kernel function based nonlinear model multi-step-ahead optimizing predictive controller was presented. A support vector machine based predictive model was established by black-box identification. And a quadratic objective function with receding horizon was selected to obtain the controller output. By solving a nonlinear optimization problem with equality constraint of model output and boundary constraint of controller output using Nelder-Mead simplex direct search method, a sub-optimal control law was achieved in feature space. The effect of the controller was demonstrated on a recognized benchmark problem and a continuous-stirred tank reactor. The simulation results show that the multi-step-ahead predictive controller can be well applied to nonlinear system, with better performance in following reference trajectory and disturbance-rejection.

High-Order Volterra Model Predictive Control and Its Application to a Nonlinear Polymerisation Process

Model Predictive Control (MPC) has recently found wide acceptance in the process industry, but existing design and implementation methods are restricted to linear process models. A chemical process, however, involves severe nonlinearity which cannot be ignored in practice. This paper aims to solve this nonlinear control problem by extending MPC to accommodate nonlinear models. It develops an analytical framework for nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC). It also offers a third-order Volterra series based nonparametric nonlinear modelling technique for NMPC design, which relieves practising engineers from the need for deriving a physical-principles based model first. An on-line realisation technique for implementing NMPC is then developed and applied to a Mitsubishi Chemicals polymerisation reaction process. Results show that this nonlinear MPC technique is feasible and very effective. It considerably outperforms linear and low-order Volterra model based methods. The advantages of the developed approach lie not only in control performance superior to existing NMPC methods, but also in eliminating the need for converting an analytical model and then convert it to a Volterra model obtainable only up to the second order. Keywords Model predictive control - Volterra series - process control - nonlinear control Yun Li is a senior lecturer at University of Glasgow, UK, where has taught and researched in evolutionary computation and control engineering since 1991. He worked in the UK National Engineering Laboratory and Industrial Systems and Control Ltd, Glasgow in 1989 and 1990. In 1998, he established the IEEE CACSD Evolutionary Computation Working Group and the European Network of Excellence in Evolutionary Computing (EvoNet) Workgroup on Systems, Control, and Drives. In summer 2002, he served as a visiting professor to Kumamoto University, Japan. He is also a visiting professor at University of Electronic Science and Technology of China. His research interests are in parallel processing, design automation and discovery of engineering systems using evolutionary learning and intelligent search techniques. Applications include control, system modelling and prediction, circuit design, microwave engineering, and operations management. He has advised 12 Ph.D.s in evolutionary computation and has 140 publications.Hiroshi Kashiwagi received B.E, M.E. and Ph.D. degrees in measurement and control engineering from the University of Tokyo, Japan, in 1962, 1964 and 1967 respectively. In 1967 he became an Associate Professor and in 1976 a Professor at Kumamoto University. From 1973 to 1974, he served as a visiting Associate Professor at Purdue University, Indiana, USA. From 1990 to 1994, he was the Director at Computer Center of Kumamoto University. He has also served as a member of Board of Trustees of Society of Instrument and Control Engineers (SICE), Japan, Chairman of Kyushu Branch of SICE and General Chair of many international conferences held in Japan, Korea, Chin and India. In 1994, he was awarded SICE Fellow for his contributions to the field of measurement and control engineering through his various academic activities. He also received the Gold Medal Prize at ICAUTO’95 held in India. In 1997, he received the “Best Book Award” from SICE for his new book entitled “M-sequence and its application” written in Japanese and published in 1996 by Shoukoudou Publishing Co. in Japan. In 1999, he received the “Best Paper Award” from SICE for his paper “M-transform and its application to system identification”. His research interests include signal processing and applications, especially pseudorandom sequence and its applications to measurement and control engineering.

A Dual-mode Nonlinear Model Predictive Control with the Enlarged Terminal Constraint Sets

Aiming at a class of nonlinear systems with multiple equilibrium points, we present a dual-mode model predictive control algorithm with extended terminal constraint set combined with control invariant set and gain schedule. Local LQR control laws and the corresponding maximum control invariant sets can be designed for finite equilibrium points. It is guaranteed that control invariant sets are overlapped each other. The union of the control invariant sets is treated as the terminal constraint set of predictive control. The feasibility and stability of the novel dual-mode model predictive control are investigated with both variable and fixed horizon. Because of the introduction of extended terminal constrained set, the feasibility of optimization can be guaranteed with short prediction horizon. In this way, the size of the optimization problem is reduced so it is computationally efficient. Finally, a simulation example illustrating the algorithm is presented.

Model predictive control synthesis algorithm based on polytopic terminal region for Hammerstein-Wiener nonlinear systems

An improved model predictive control algorithm is proposed for Hammerstein-Wiener nonlinear systems.The proposed synthesis algorithm contains two parts:offline design the polytopic invariant sets,and online solve the min-max optimization problem.The polytopic invariant set is adopted to replace the traditional ellipsoid invariant set.And the parameter-correlation nonlinear control law is designed to replace the traditional linear control law.Consequently,the terminal region is enlarged and the control effect is improved.Simulation and experiment are used to verify the validity of the wind tunnel flow field control algorithm.

Multi-objective nonlinear model predictive control through switching cost functions and its applications to chemical processes

This paper proposes a switching multi-objective model predictive control(MOMPC) algorithm for constrained nonlinear continuous-time process systems.Different cost functions to be minimized in MPC are switched to satisfy different performance criteria imposed at different sampling times.In order to ensure recursive feasibility of the switching MOMPC and stability of the resulted closed-loop system,the dual-mode control method is used to design the switching MOMPC controller.In this method,a local control law with some free-parameters is constructed using the control Lyapunov function technique to enlarge the terminal state set of MOMPC.The correction term is computed if the states are out of the terminal set and the free-parameters of the local control law are computed if the states are in the terminal set.The recursive feasibility of the MOMPC and stability of the resulted closed-loop system are established in the presence of constraints and arbitrary switches between cost functions.Finally,implementation of the switching MOMPC controller is demonstrated with a chemical process example for the continuous stirred tank reactor.

Nonlinear model predictive control based on support vector machine and genetic algorithm

This paper presents a nonlinear model predictive control(NMPC) approach based on support vector machine(SVM) and genetic algorithm(GA) for multiple-input multiple-output(MIMO) nonlinear systems.Individual SVM is used to approximate each output of the controlled plant Then the model is used in MPC control scheme to predict the outputs of the controlled plant.The optimal control sequence is calculated using GA with elite preserve strategy.Simulation results of a typical MIMO nonlinear system show that this method has a good ability of set points tracking and disturbance rejection.

An improved constrained model predictive control approach for Hammerstein-Wiener nonlinear systems

Many industry processes can be described as Hammerstein-Wiener nonlinear systems. In this work, an improved constrained model predictive control algorithm is presented for Hammerstein-Wiener systems. In the new approach, the maximum and minimum of partial derivative for input and output nonlinearities are solved in the neighbourhood of the equilibrium. And several parameter-dependent Lyapunov functions, each one corresponding to a different vertex of polytopic descriptions models, are introduced to analyze the stability of Hammerstein-Wiener systems, but only one Lyapunov function is utilized to analyze system stability like the traditional method. Consequently, the conservation of the traditional quadratic stability is removed, and the terminal regions are enlarged. Simulation and field trial results show that the proposed algorithm is valid. It has higher control precision and shorter blowing time than the traditional approach.

Nonlinear model predictive control based on hyper chaotic diagonal recurrent neural network

Nonlinear model predictive controllers(NMPC)can predict the future behavior of the under-controlled system using a nonlinear predictive model.Here,an array of hyper chaotic diagonal recurrent neural network(HCDRNN)was proposed for modeling and predicting the behavior of the under-controller nonlinear system in a moving forward window.In order to improve the convergence of the parameters of the HCDRNN to improve system’s modeling,the extent of chaos is adjusted using a logistic map in the hidden layer.A novel NMPC based on the HCDRNN array(HCDRNN-NMPC)was proposed that the control signal with the help of an improved gradient descent method was obtained.The controller was used to control a continuous stirred tank reactor(CSTR)with hard-nonlinearities and input constraints,in the presence of uncertainties including external disturbance.The results of the simulations show the superior performance of the proposed method in trajectory tracking and disturbance rejection.Parameter convergence and neglectable prediction error of the neural network(NN),guaranteed stability and high tracking performance are the most significant advantages of the proposed scheme.

Nonlinear Multiple Model Predictive Control of Solution Polymerization of Methyl Methacrylate

A sequential linearized model based predictive controller is designed using the DMC algorithm to control the temperature of a batch MMA polymerization process. Using the mechanistic model of the polymerization, a parametric transfer function is derived to relate the reactor temperature to the power of the heaters. Then, a multiple model predictive control approach is taken in to track a desired temperature trajectory.The coefficients of the multiple transfer functions are calculated along the selected temperature trajectory by sequential linearization and the model is validated experimentally. The controller performance is studied on a small scale batch reactor.

Boiler-turbine control system design using continuous-time nonlinear model predictive control

A continuous-time nonlinear model predictive controller(NMPC) was designed for a boiler-turbine unit.The controller was designed by optimizing a receding-horizon performance index,with the nonlinear system approximated by its Taylor series expansion with a certain order,the magnitude saturation constraints on the inputs satisfied by increasing the predictive time,and the rate saturation conditions on the actuators satisfied by tuning the time constant of the reference trajectories in a reference governor.Simulation results showed that the controller can drive the drum pressure and output power of the nonlinear boiler-turbine unit to follow their respective reference trajectories throughout a varying operation range and keep the water level deviation within tolerances.Comparison of the NMPC scheme with the generic model control(GMC) scheme indicated that the responses are slower and there are more oscillations in the responses of the water level,fuel flow input and feed water flow input in the GMC scheme when the boiler-turbine unit is operating over a wide range.

The Design of Output Feedback Distributed Model Predictive Controller for a Class of Nonlinear Systems

For a class of nonlinear systems whose states are immeasurable, when the outputs of the system are sampled asynchronously, by introducing a state observer, an output feedback distributed model predictive control algorithm is proposed. It is proved that the errors of estimated states and the actual system's states are bounded. And it is guaranteed that the estimated states of the closed-loop system are ultimately bounded in a region containing the origin. As a result, the states of the actual system are ultimately bounded. A simulation example verifies the effectiveness of the proposed distributed control method.

Application of Nonlinear Predictive Control Based on RBF Network Predictive Model in MCFC Plant

This paper described a nonlinear model predictive controller for regulating a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC). A detailed mechanism model of output voltage of a MCFC was presented at first. However, this model was too complicated to be used in a control system. Consequently, an off line radial basis function (RBF) network was introduced to build a nonlinear predictive model. And then, the optimal control sequences were obtained by applying golden mean method. The models and controller have been realized in the MATLAB environment. Simulation results indicate the proposed algorithm exhibits satisfying control effect even when the current densities vary largely.