Limitations of the Extended Kalman Filter for Batch Reactors

Abstract

On-line estimation of concentration from thermal balance is considered for batch reactors. In face of unknown kinetic rate constant, the widely-used Extended Kaiman Filter (EKF) is studied for simultaneous state-parameter estimation. Simulation results expose serious limitations that have remained largely unrecognized in the numerous successful applications of EKF to chemical processes reported previously. The analysis also recommends guidelines for reducing the effects of these limitations, including a strategy of estimating states and parameters separately.