Finite time-delay estimation for soft sensors modelling Hammerstein-Wiener structures

Finite time-delay estimation is a relevant aspect of soft sensor design for nonlinear processes. The authors previously proposed a procedure for the estimation of the time delay from experimental data. The procedure was validated for Wiener nonlinear models. Here, the analysis is extended to the case of Wiener- Hammerstein structures. Three case studies, characterized by different nonlinearities have been designed. The effect of the nonlinearity nature on the procedure behavior was investigated. Data for the cases studies have been extracted from two industrial processes.