Comparisons among new algorithms of parameter estimation for microbial biodegradation kinetics

To effectively estimate parameters varying within wide range for microbial biodegradation kinetics, a genetic algorithm with Instantaneous Elitist Protection Strategy (IEPGA) and an improved genetic algorithm (IGA) were developed and compared with the method of repetitious lsqnonlin procedure (Matlab software) initialized by stochastically-generated values. These algorithms were used to estimate parameters of the integrated-form Monod model based on synthetic data and published data, respectively. The results show that the three proposed algorithms are all capable of dealing with this problem. However, in view of operation scale, runtime and final results precision, the method of repetitious (>20 times) lsqnonlin function initialized by stochastic values is more feasible than GAs to estimate microbial biodegradation kinetics parameters.