Run-to-run control of membrane filtration processes

Abstract:
Membrane filtration processes are often operated cyclically, where one cycle comprises a filtration and a backwashing phase. Due to the complex mechanisms involved, these filtration processes are mostly operated with fixed values of the manipulated variables. In this paper, a model-based process control approach is introduced, which is based upon run-to-run control theory. To evaluate the controller, a suitable model of submerged membrane filtration in wastewater applications is developed, which describes the main process phenomena while being computationally inexpensive. The model-based controller is then tested in a simulation environment employing a validated reference model. Excellent results with respect to prediction quality and optimality are obtained.

Keywords:
run-to-run control, self-adaptive control, online control, online optimization, filtration, membrane filtration

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