Browsing by Author "Al Seyab, Rihab Khalid Shakir"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Differential recurrent neural network based predictive control.
    (Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam., 2008-07-24T00:00:00Z) Al Seyab, Rihab Khalid Shakir; Cao, Yi
    In this paper an efficient algorithm to train general differential recurrent neural network (DRNN) is developed. The trained network can be directly used in the nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC) context. The neural network is represented in a general nonlinear state-space form and used to predict the future dynamic behavior of the nonlinear process in real time. In the new training algorithms, the ODEs of the model and the dynamic sensitivity are solved simultaneously using Taylor series expansion and automatic differentiation (AD) techniques. The same approach is also used to solve the online optimization problem in the predictive controller. The efficiency and effectiveness of the DRNN training algorithm and the NMPC approach are demonstrated through a two-CSTR case study. A good model fitting for the nonlinear plant at different sampling rates is obtained using the new method. A comparison with other approaches shows that the new algorithm can considerably reduce network training time and improve solution accuracy. The DRNN based NMPC approach results in good control performance under different operating conditions.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Nonlinear model predictive control for the ALSTOM gasifier.
    (Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam., 2006-09-01T00:00:00Z) Al Seyab, Rihab Khalid Shakir; Cao, Yi
    In this work a nonlinear model predictive control based on Wiener model has been developed and used to control the ALSTOM gasifier. The 0% load condition was identified as the most difficult case to control among three operating conditions. A linear model of the plant at 0% load is adopted as a base model for prediction. A nonlinear static gain represented by a feedforward neural network was identified for a particular output channel—namely, fuel gas pressure, to compensate its strong nonlinear behaviour observed in open-loop simulations. By linearising the neural network at each sampling time, the static nonlinear model provides certain adaptation to the linear base model at all other load conditions. The resulting controller showed noticeable performance improvement when compared with pure linear model based predictive contro
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Nonlinear model predictive control using automatic differentiation
    (Cranfield University, 2006) Al Seyab, Rihab Khalid Shakir; Cao, Yi
    Although nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC) might be the best choice for a nonlinear plant, it is still not widely used. This is mainly due to the computational burden associated with solving online a set of nonlinear differential equations and a nonlinear dynamic optimization problem in real time. This thesis is concerned with strategies aimed at reducing the computational burden involved in different stages of the NMPC such as optimization problem, state estimation, and nonlinear model identification. A major part of the computational burden comes from function and derivative evaluations required in different parts of the NMPC algorithm. In this work, the problem is tackled using a recently introduced efficient tool, the automatic differentiation (AD). Using the AD tool, a function is evaluated together with all its partial derivative from the code defining the function with machine accuracy. A new NMPC algorithm based on nonlinear least square optimization is proposed. In a first–order method, the sensitivity equations are integrated using a linear formula while the AD tool is applied to get their values accurately. For higher order approximations, more terms of the Taylor expansion are used in the integration for which the AD is effectively used. As a result, the gradient of the cost function against control moves is accurately obtained so that the online nonlinear optimization can be efficiently solved. In many real control cases, the states are not measured and have to be estimated for each instance when a solution of the model equations is needed. A nonlinear extended version of the Kalman filter (EKF) is added to the NMPC algorithm for this purpose. The AD tool is used to calculate the required derivatives in the local linearization step of the filter automatically and accurately. Offset is another problem faced in NMPC. A new nonlinear integration is devised for this case to eliminate the offset from the output response. In this method, an integrated disturbance model is added to the process model input or output to correct the plant/model mismatch. The time response of the controller is also improved as a by–product. The proposed NMPC algorithm has been applied to an evaporation process and a two continuous stirred tank reactor (two–CSTR) process with satisfactory results to cope with large setpoint changes, unmeasured severe disturbances, and process/model mismatches. When the process equations are not known (black–box) or when these are too complicated to be used in the controller, modelling is needed to create an internal model for the controller. In this thesis, a continuous time recurrent neural network (CTRNN) in a state–space form is developed to be used in NMPC context. An efficient training algorithm for the proposed network is developed using AD tool. By automatically generating Taylor coefficients, the algorithm not only solves the differentiation equations of the network but also produces the sensitivity for the training problem. The same approach is also used to solve online the optimization problem of the NMPC. The proposed CTRNN and the predictive controller were tested on an evaporator and two–CSTR case studies. A comparison with other approaches shows that the new algorithm can considerably reduce network training time and improve solution accuracy. For a third case study, the ALSTOM gasifier, a NMPC via linearization algorithm is implemented to control the system. In this work a nonlinear state–space class Wiener model is used to identify the black–box model of the gasifier. A linear model of the plant at zero–load is adopted as a base model for prediction. Then, a feedforward neural network is created as the static gain for a particular output channel, fuel gas pressure, to compensate its strong nonlinear behavior observed in open–loop simulations. By linearizing the neural network at each sampling time, the static nonlinear gain provides certain adaptation to the linear base model. The AD tool is used here to linearize the neural network efficiently. Noticeable performance improvement is observed when compared with pure linear MPC. The controller was able to pass all tests specified in the benchmark problem at all load conditions.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Nonlinear system identification for predictive control using continuous time recurrent neural networks and automatic differentiation.
    (Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam., 2008-07-01T00:00:00Z) Al Seyab, Rihab Khalid Shakir; Cao, Yi
    In this paper, a continuous time recurrent neural network (CTRNN) is developed to be used in nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC) context. The neural network represented in a general nonlinear state-space form is used to predict the future dynamic behavior of the nonlinear process in real time. An efficient training algorithm for the proposed network is developed using automatic differentiation (AD) techniques. By automatically generating Taylor coefficients, the algorithm not only solves the differentiation equations of the network but also produces the sensitivity for the training problem. The same approach is also used to solve the online optimization problem in the predictive controller. The proposed neural network and the nonlinear predictive controller were tested on an evaporation case study. A good model fitting for the nonlinear plant is obtained using the new method. A comparison with other approaches shows that the new algorithm can considerably reduce network training time and improve solution accuracy. The CTRNN trained is used as an internal model in a predictive controller and results in good performance under different operating conditions.