Artificial intelligence and the supervision of bioprocesses (real-time knowledge-based systems and neural networks)

The ability to supervise and control a highly non-linear and time variant bioprocess is of considerable importance to the biotechnological industries which are continually striving to obtain higher yields and improved uniformity of production. Two AI methodologies aimed at contributing to the overall intelligent monitoring and control of bioprocess operations are discussed. The development and application of a real-time knowledge-based system to provide supervisory control of fed-batch bioprocesses is reviewed. The system performs sensor validation, fault detection and diagnosis and incorporates relevant expertise and experience drawn from both bioprocess engineering and control engineering domains. A complementary approach, that of artificial neural networks is also addressed. The development of neural network modelling tools for use in bioprocess state estimation and inferential control are reviewed. An attractive characteristic of neural networks is that with the appropriate topology any non-linear functional relationship can be modelled, hence significantly reducing model-process mismatch. Results from industrial applications are presented.