Advanced temperature control in ethanol fermentation using a PSO-PID controller with split-range control strategy

Abstract

Global energy demand is experiencing a notable surge due to growing energy security. Renewable energy sources, like ethanol, are becoming more viable. In the present study, the application of a PSO-PID (Particle Swarm Optimization – Proportional Integral Derivative) controller with a split-range control strategy was suggested for the regulation of temperature within the fermentation system. To optimize performance, a POS-PID controller with a split-range arrangement utilizing two control valves for hot and cold utilities was constructed. The study began by examining the open-loop dynamic response of the system to inlet temperature and concentration disturbances during ethanol production fermentation. Subsequently, a transfer function model was developed through linearization at the steady-state operating point. The split-range controller structure, implemented by optimizing the PSO-PID controller parameters using PSO, effectively demonstrated temperature control in simulations of a nonlinear model. In this investigation, the ethanol fermentation system was modeled as a CSTR using a modified Monod equation for microbial growth kinetics. Various dynamic behavioral disturbances were explored and verified in the model with plant data in this study. The simulation model results were validated through plant data. The proposed method showed superior closed-loop performance with respect to errors, with the actuators proving to be effective than other reported methods for temperature control.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Keywords:

• Bioreactor fermentation
• nonlinear
• PID control
• particle swarm optimization
• split range control

Acknowledgements

I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the Department of Chemical Engineering at NIT Calicut for providing me with a work station.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors(s).

Data availability statement

Data availability is not applicable to this article as no new data were created or analyzed in this study.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.