MPC of a Four-Stage Grape Juice Evaporator Based on an Adaptive Neural Model

SUÁREZ, G.I; GUSTAVO SCAGLIA; PABLO M. ABALLAY; OSCAR ORTIZ

Simposio; 10th International Symposium on Process Systems Engineering - PSE2009; 2009

The four-stage evaporator is the core of the process in the manufacture of concentrated grape juice. The dynamic features of this process are very complex due to inputs/outputs constraints, time delays, loop interactions and the persistent unmeasured disturbances that affect it. This paper addresses the non-linear control of a multiple-effect evaporator by means of a model predictive control (MPC) based on a neural network model (NNM). This strategy allows it on one hand, overcome the classical control systems limitations and, by the other that the neural controller continue learning during the plant operation. The achieved results allow us to conclude that the developed neural model predictive control is adequate to control effectively a four-effect evaporator to concentrates grape juice with different characteristics.