B-BAC: The robust approach to the nonlinear adaptive control of industrial processes

In this paper the generalised and robust approach to the nonlinear adaptive control of industrial processes (so called: B-BAC-Balance-Based Adaptive Control) is presented. It is shown how to apply the generalised dynamic equation, describing a controlled variable, for the B-BAController design. The adaptability of the control law results from the fact that all the process nonlinearities (e.g. due to kinetics) are replaced by the only one time varying term, which is then estimated as one parameter. The possibility of the B-BAC application is illustrated on two different industrial examples: The continuous fermentation process and the heat exchanger. The simulation results prove very good control performance and the robustness of the B-BAC in comparison with the conventional PI controller.