A Heuristic Approach for optimization of Non Linear process using Firefly Algorithm and Bacterial Foraging Algorithm

A comparison study of Firefly Algorithm (FA) and Bacterial Foraging Algorithm (BFO) optimization is carried out by applying them to a Non Linear pH neutralization process. In process control engineering, the Proportional, Derivative, Integral controller tuning parameters are deciding the performance of the controller to ensure the good performance of the plant. The FA and BFO algorithms are applied to obtain the optimum values of controller parameters. The performance indicators such as servo response and regulatory response tests are carried out to evaluate the efficiency of the heuristic algorithm based controllers. The error minimization criterion such as Integral Absolute Error (IAE), Integral Square Error (ISE), Integral Time Square Error (ITSE), Integral Time Absolute Error (ITAE) and Time domain specifications – rise time, Peak Overshoot and settling time are considered for the study of the performance of the controllers. The study indicates that, FA tuned PID controller provides marginally better set point tracking, load disturbance rejection, time domain specifications and error minimization for the Non Linear pH neutralization process compared to BFO tuned PID controller.