Integration of artificial intelligence techniques and extremum-seeking algorithms for pH neutralization process control

• Grant number: 19/12491-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: November 01, 2019
• End date: May 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Industrial Operations and Equipment for Chemical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Flávio Vasconcelos da Silva
• Grantee: Bruno Armenio Moreira Ferreira
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia Química (FEQ). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Neutralization processes are commonly found as part of chemical plants, which makes pH control a relevant industrial problem. Even though pH is among the most common process variables in industry, pH control still represents a great engineering challenge due to its nonlinear and time-variant behavior. Nonlinear adaptive controllers have been applied successfully to some cases but no definitive solution was suggested until now. This project proposes the development of monovariable and multivariable controllers that integrate two different approaches for handling nonlinear systems: artificial intelligence techniques and extremum-seeking algorithms, which are adaptive algorithms that perform real-time optimization. For performance evaluation, the designed controllers will be tested using a pH neutralization pilot plant. (AU)