A Non-linear Model Predictive Control Based on Grey-Wolf Optimization Using Least-Square Support Vector Machine for Product Concentration Control in L-Lysine Fermentation.

L-Lysine is produced by a complex non-linear fermentation process. A non-linear model predictive control (NMPC) scheme is proposed to control product concentration in real time for enhancing production. However, product concentration cannot be directly measured in real time. Least-square support vector machine (LSSVM) is used to predict product concentration in real time. Grey-Wolf Optimization (GWO) algorithm is used to optimize the key model parameters (penalty factor and kernel width) of LSSVM for increasing its prediction accuracy (GWO-LSSVM). The proposed optimal prediction model is used as a process model in the non-linear model predictive control to predict product concentration. GWO is also used to solve the non-convex optimization problem in non-linear model predictive control (GWO-NMPC) for calculating optimal future inputs. The proposed GWO-based prediction model (GWO-LSSVM) and non-linear model predictive control (GWO-NMPC) are compared with the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO)-based prediction model (PSO-LSSVM) and non-linear model predictive control (PSO-NMPC) to validate their effectiveness. The comparative results show that the prediction accuracy, adaptability, real-time tracking ability, overall error and control precision of GWO-based predictive control is better compared to PSO-based predictive control.