Batch process reactors are often
used for products where quality
is of paramount importance. To this end, this work addresses the problem
of direct, data-driven, quality control for batch processes. Specifically,
previous results using subspace identification for modeling dynamic
evolution and making quality predictions are extended with two key
novel contributions: first, a method is proposed to account for midbatch
ingredient additions in both the modeling and control stages. Second,
a novel model predictive control scheme is proposed that includes
batch duration as a decision variable. The efficacy of the proposed
modeling and control approaches are demonstrated using a simulation
study of a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) reactor. Closed loop simulation
results show that the proposed controller is able to reject disturbances
in feed stock and drive the number-average molecular weight, weight-average
molecular weight, and conversion to their respective set-points. Specifically,
mean absolute percentage errors (MAPE) in these variables are reduced
from 8.66%, 7.87%, and 6.13% under traditional PI control to 1.61%,
1.90%, and 1.67%, respectively.