Use of Hammerstein Models in Identification of Nonlinear Systems

The utility of the Hammerstein model, which is composed of a static nonlinear element in series with a linear dynamic part, was investigated to represent the dynamics of nonlinear chemical processes. Different methods to identify the parameters of Hammerstein models were tested. The methods were applied to the identification of simulated distillation columns and to an experimental heat exchanger process. The results show that the dynamics of such processes can be better represented by Hammerstein-type models than by linear models.