Bilinear versus Linear Mpc: Application to a Polymerization Process

In this paper a comparison between a linear-model-based and a bilinear-modelbased identification and predictive control methodology is presented. Input-output data from a nonlinear first-principles simulation model of the free-radical polymerization of methylmethacrylate are used for black-box identification of a linear and a bilinear model. These black-box models are used within a model-based predictive controller that controls the nonlinear white-box simulation model. The results demonstrate a better performance of the bilinear-model-based methodology compared to the linear-model-based methodology.