Work

A nonlinear approach for input signal design with persistent excitation applied to pH modelling in microalgae raceway reactors

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The fast pace of urbanization, population growth, and fossil fuel dependency have brought environmental challenges such as global warming and water contamination, pressing for solutions in greenhouse gas reduction and wastewater treatment. Microalgae cultivation offers promising results by assimilating CO 2 and purifying wastewater. This study focuses on the identification of pH models in microalgae raceway reactors, essential for accurate control and optimization of growth conditions. A novel multisine-based persistent excitation approach combined with a range controller is proposed to enhance data quality and coverage across varying operating points, without violating output constraints. This method demonstrates improved operational stability and enriched dataset acquisition for model identification. Experimental results, conducted at the University of Almeria and IFAPA research center, confirm the method’s effectiveness in generating reliable excitation data, supporting accurate pH model identification for industrial-scale applications.

Source: IFAC-PapersOnLine

DOI: 10.1016/j.ifacol.2025.07.129

Authors: F. Campregher, M. Caparroz, J.L. Guzmán, A. Visioli

Institutions: Polytechnic University of Bari, University of Brescia, University of Almería

Language: English

Topic: Control Systems and Identification

Subfield: Control and Systems Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Clean water and sanitation, Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: diamond

Funders: European Commission, Ministero dell’Istruzione, dell’Università e della Ricerca, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación