Real-time experimental generalized minimum variance control of operating parameters in an electrocoagulation process

The aim of this study was to keep electrical conductivity, pH and temperature constant during electrocoagulation (EC) treatment of pulp and paper industry wastewater (PPIW) via real time generalized minimum variance (GMV) and adaptive generalized minimum variance (AGMV) controllers and to determine the effect of control action on pollutant removal and energy consumption. Uncontrolled treatment was carried out at the initial conditions of 2 mS/cm electrical conductivity, pH 8 and 20 degrees C temperature with chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency of 34.58% and energy consumption of 128.25 kWh/kg COD. Results revealed that treatment under constant electrical conductivity, pH and temperature conditions showed an increase of 9.96% and 8.28% in COD removal and a reduction by 37.49% and 27.25% in energy consumption for multi input-multi output (MIMO) GMV and AGMV controllers respectively compared with uncontrolled treatment. Comparison of MIMO GMV and AGMV control studies implied that GMV controller gave better results than AGMV controller when controller performances, pollutant removal efficiencies and energy consumption values were evaluated together.