Abstract
This paper proposes an economic model predictive control (EMPC) design for a Direct Contact Membrane Distillation powered by a solar collector system which aims at enhancing its economical performances. A differential algebraic equations-based model is used for the design of the EMPC control. Moreover, a nonlinear observer is developed for the estimation of the unmeasured state. A neural network is proposed to predict the unknown solar irradiance for future horizon where a solar model provides temperature predictions. The proposed control design has been validated in simulation using data provided by a partial differential equation-based model mimicking the real plant. Copyright (C) 2022 The Authors. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)