Kinetic-based modeling and feedback control studies of an integrated bio-reactor system

This work investigates the issues associated with designing a robust feedback control strategy for a pair of coupled bio-reactors that is being evaluated for wastewater treatment as part of NASA´s advanced life support system for long duration human space missions. A kinetic-based distributed parameter model is developed and validated using the data collected from an experimental system that is 1/20th the size of the actual reactor system developed by NASA. System-theoretic analysis shows that the coupled reactors are not fully state controllable. To address this issue, new actuators are added and placed at more advantageous locations to be responsive to the control objectives. The re-instrumented experimental system is tested for regulatory performance using the distributed parameter model before commissioning the control strategy on the experimental system. Additionally, more advanced control strategies such as model predictive control are being tested. Performance results are presented