Kalman filter applied to setpoint control in continuous titrations

A state-space model is described for continuous titrations based on first-order dynamics. The Kalman filter allows on-line monitoring of an empirically established setpoint in the titration curve. The algorithm advocated is examined for potentiometric titrations of ca. 10^?3 M solutins of acids, silver(I) and copper(II). Only gross indications of the essential parameters such as the time constant and noise covariances are required. The computer-controlled titration system is compared with a conventional setpoint titrator. Especially in cases of slow response times and steep inflections, there are advantages in both accuracy and speed when the Kalman filter is applied.