Semi-supervised Learning for Data-driven Soft-sensing of Biological and Chemical Processes

Abstract: Continuously operated (bio-)chemical processes increasingly suffer from external disturbances, such as feed fluctuations or changes in market conditions. Product quality often hinges on control of rarely measured concentrations, which are expensive to measure. Semi-supervised regression is a possible building block and method from machine learning to construct soft-sensors for such infrequently measured states. Using two case studies, i.e., the Williams-Otto process and a bioethanol production process, semi-supervised regression is compared against standard regression to evaluate its merits and its possible scope of application for process control in the (bio-)chemical industry.