EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS IN MODEL-REFERENCE ADAPTIVE ESTIMATION AND CONTROL OF A FERMENTATION PROCESS

The aim of this research is to investigate the experimental implementa tion of a control technique, based on the model reference adaptive est imation and control (MRAEC), on a continuous flow fermentation process . This method is derived from the nonlinear structure of the process m odel. The control problem of the substrate concentration is considered . The objective of this paper is to show the advantages and drawbacks of this algorithm in terms of tracking, regulation and overshoot. The adaptive estimation and control theory is then explained, with an appl ication on a pilot-plant fermenter. The experimental results are prese nted and show the control performances. Note that the proposed control algorithm is not limited to a fermentation process but can be applied to other biotechnological processes.