Application of Predictive Feedforward Compensator to Microalgae Production in a Raceway Reactor: A Simulation Study

Abstract

In this work, the evaluation of a predictive feedforward compensator is provided in order to highlight its most important advantages and drawbacks. The analyzed technique has been applied to microalgae production process in a raceway photobioreactor. The evaluation of the analyzed disturbance rejection schemes were performed through simulation, considering a nonlinear process model, whereas all controllers were designed using linear model approximations resulting in a realistic evaluation scenario. The predictive feedforward disturbance compensator was coupled with two feedback control techniques, PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) and MPC (Model Predictive Control) that are widely used in industrial practice. Moreover, the classical feedforward approach has been used for the purpose of comparison. The performance of the tested technique is evaluated with different indexes that include control performance measurements as well as biomass production performance. The application of the analyzed compensator to microalgae production process allows us to improve the average photosynthesis rate about 6% simultaneously reducing the energy usage about 4%.