Controller design issues and algorithms for a nonlinear distributed-parameter process

Controller design issues for distributed-parameter systems are discussed in relation to a nonlinear bioreactor model, which describes microbial growth and substrate consumption in a fixed-bed reactor. A methodology based on spatial discretisation and model-based control design is studied. Galerkin's finite element method is used in discretisation. For the resulting approximate ordinary differential equation model an input-output linearising control law is designed. Simulation studies described illustrate the feasibility of the approach used.