Energy- and process real-time optimization through hybrid modeling - a case from Viking Malt A/S

Peter Jul-Rasmussen, Adem R. N. Aouichaoui, Maciej Korzepa, Kurt Engelbrecht, Katrine Kongsgaard, Jakob K. Huusom*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingArticle in proceedingsResearchpeer-review

Abstract

The production of barley malt is an energy-intensive process due to the need for cooling, drying, and heating. This work introduces model-based real-time energy- and process optimization for an industrial malting process. A hybrid model is introduced for the germination stage in the malting process by combining population- and mass balances with probabilistic ML, providing accurate predictions with no indication of overfitting when applied to historical process data. Based on the model predictions, optimal setpoint trajectory for the temperature of process air passing through the grain bed and the water/gibberellic acid addition are recommended for operators of the malting plant. Both the model and optimization algorithm are deployed to servers at the malting plant, and the recommendations are presented in a user-friendly dashboard at a dedicated monitor in the control room, enabling the decision-making in the process to be objective-driven rather than human-driven. No previous work has been found in the literature on applying hybrid model-based real-time optimization to the germination stage in an industrial-scale malting process.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 34th European Symposium on Computer Aided Process Engineering
EditorsFlavio Manenti, Gintaras V. Reklaitis
Volume53
PublisherElsevier
Publication date2024
Pages1645-1650
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024
Event34th European Symposium on Computer Aided Process Engineering / 15th International Symposium on Process Systems Engineering - Florence, Italy
Duration: 2 Jun 20246 Jun 2024

Conference

Conference34th European Symposium on Computer Aided Process Engineering / 15th International Symposium on Process Systems Engineering
Country/TerritoryItaly
CityFlorence
Period02/06/202406/06/2024

Keywords

  • Malting process
  • Probabilistic hybrid modeling
  • Real-time energy optimization
  • Operator support tool

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Energy- and process real-time optimization through hybrid modeling - a case from Viking Malt A/S'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this