Fast Explicit Machine Learning-Based Model Predictive Control of Nonlinear Processes Using Input Convex Neural Networks

Abstract: Explicit machine learning-based model predictive control (explicit ML-MPC) has been developed to reduce the real-time computational demands of traditional ML-MPC. However, the evaluation of candidate control actions in explicit ML-MPC can be time-consuming due to the non-convex nature of machine learning models. To address this issue, we leverage Input Convex Neural Networks (ICNN) to develop explicit ICNN-MPC, which is formulated as a convex optimization problem. Specifically, ICNN is employed to capture nonlinear system dynamics and incorporated into MPC, with sufficient conditions provided to ensure the convexity of ICNN-based MPC. We then formulate mixed-integer quadratic programming (MIQP) problems based on the candidate control actions derived from the solutions of multi-parametric quadratic programming (mpQP) problems within the explicit ML-MPC framework. Optimal control actions are obtained by solving real-time convex MIQP problems. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated through two case studies, including a chemical reactor example, and a chemical process network simulated by Aspen Plus Dynamics, where explicit ML-MPC written in Python is integrated with Aspen dynamic simulation through a programmable interface.