Adaptive non-linear soft sensor for quality monitoring in refineries using Just-in-Time Learning—Generalized regression neural network approach

Real time estimation of target quality variables using soft sensor relevant to time varying process conditions will be a significant step forward in effective implementation of Industry 4.0. Generalized Regression neural network (GRNN) has been used as a steady state quality monitoring soft sensor with reasonable estimation accuracy. However, the accurate prediction capability of GRNN has rarely been explored in a time varying environment. This article reports design of adaptive soft sensor using GRNN as a local model in Just-in-Time learning (JITL-GRNN) framework. The JITL-GRNN adaptive soft sensing technique is further investigated in various dimensions such as, the effect of different similarity index criteria and relevant dataset size on model prediction accuracy and model computation time. Performance of the proposed JITL-GRNN soft sensor is investigated by assessing its prediction accuracy on two benchmark industrial datasets. In addition, dynamic Non-linear autoregressive with exogenous inputs (NARX) neural network model is also developed and the performance of NARX model was compared with the proposed JITL-GRNN model. Results show that the JITL-GRNN adaptive soft sensor has at par or better prediction capability than the NARX model and many other models reported in literature.