Model predictive control of nonlinear processes using transfer learning-based recurrent neural networks

Abstract

Artificial neural networks (ANNs), one of the deep learning techniques that has sparked a lot of attention recently for its exceptional modelling capabilities of nonlinear systems, are an essential candidate for model-based control systems. In particular, recurrent neural networks (RNN) have shown remarkable capacity to forecast the dynamic behaviour of nonlinear processes using time-series data. In order to regulate the rate at which chemical species are produced in intricate processes, RNNs have successfully served as the predictive model in model-based controllers. However, the necessity for massive amounts of data to capture complex processes is a drawback of typical RNN models. With the goal of efficient utilisation of the available data, a different, transfer learning-based training approach for RNNs is presented in this work. The transfer learning strategy is taken into consideration to overcome the challenges stemming from lack of data for the construction of RNN models. In particular, weight-sharing RNNs are developed using a priori physical knowledge. Next, a comprehensive analysis of a complex chemical process on a large scale is conducted to showcase the benefits of the suggested approach across various data sizes and its effectiveness when combined with MPC in contrast to conventional RNNs.