On the use of non-linear receding-horizon observers in batch terpolymerisation processes

Abstract

In this paper, a non-linear receding-horizon observer is proposed for state reconstruction in batch terpolymerisation reactors. The related investigations show that the state reconstruction problem may be quite ill conditioned in the sense that different states may exist that lead to roughly the same output. It seems however that when constrained receding-horizon estimation is used together with a dedicated crossing singularity heuristic, state reconstruction is possible even in presence of measurement noise and up to 10% error on the r.h.s of the ODE's describing the system's dynamics. The efficiency and the real-time implementability of the overall scheme is shown through illustrative scenarios including both simulation and experimental validation.