Deep Learning Framework for Collaborative Variable Time Delay Estimation and Uncertainty Quantification in Industrial Quality Prediction

Deep learning offers promising solutions for quality prediction in industrial processes, improving decision-making and performance monitoring. In this article, we propose a novel deep learning framework that incorporates variable time delay (VTD) estimation and uncertainty quantification into quality prediction. The framework employs a collaborative method that integrates deep Q-network with random forest to estimate VTD values. It then utilizes a hybrid BMCR model, consisting of parallel bidirectional minimal gated unit and 1-D convolutional layers, along with a residual connection, specifically designed to capture both long-term and short-term features in industrial data. The framework produces prediction intervals directly to quantify the uncertainty in the prediction results. This combined method offers high-precision point predictions alongside uncertainty quantification, providing valuable insights for industrial decision-making. The effectiveness of the proposed method is validated through two numerical examples, a benchmark, and a real-world industrial case from the alumina digestion process.