Event‐based neural network predictive controller application for a distillation column

Abstract

Abstract In this work, the case study is a distillation column, which is a multi‐input multi‐output (MIMO) nonlinear process. An event‐based neural network predictive controller is utilized for the case study, considering control and energy policies. Computation and communication reduction are the main purposes of the event‐based strategy. The event‐based model predictive controller also copes successfully with the multi‐input multi‐output (MIMO) time‐delayed nonlinear processes. In order to achieve a suitable nonlinear data‐based model of the process, an event‐based neural network predictive controller is proposed. Moreover, new Cuckoo Optimization Algorithm (COA) is employed to improve the efficiency of the neural network. Evaluation of the proposed controller has illustrated a satisfactory performance in both setpoint tracking and disturbance rejection while computational load has been significantly decreased.