Adaptive control method for nonlinear time-delay processes

Two complex properties, varying time-delay and block-oriented nonlinearity, are very common in chemical engineering processes and not easy to be controlled by routine control methods. Aimed at these two complex properties, a novel adaptive control algorithm the basis of nonlinear OFS (orthonormal functional series) model is proposed. First, the hybrid model which combines OFS and Volterra series is introduced. Then, a stable state feedback strategy is used to construct a nonlinear adaptive control algorithm that can guarantee the closed-loop stability and can track the set point curve without steady-state errors. Finally, control simulations and experiments on a nonlinear process with varying time-delay are presented. A number of experimental results validate the efficiency and superiority of this algorithm. © 2007 The Second Academy of China Aerospace Science & Industry Cooperation.