A Mathematical Framework for Spatio-Temporal Control in Industrial Drying

TL;DR

This paper develops and validates mathematical models and numerical methods for optimizing temperature control in industrial drying processes, specifically targeting disk driers, with potential applications demonstrated through simulations.

Contribution

It introduces a simplified and a detailed PDE-based model for industrial drying, along with a validated numerical method for optimal temperature control.

Findings

Validated numerical method for PDE-constrained control

Simulation results demonstrate effective temperature regulation

Models applicable to real industrial drying scenarios

Abstract

We introduce two models of industrial drying - a simplified one-equation model, and a detailed three-equation model. The purpose of the simplified model is rigorous validation of numerical methods for PDE-constrained optimal control. The purpose of the detailed model is to be able to predict and control the behaviour of an industrial disk drier. For both models, we introduce a fully validated numerical method to compute the optimal source term to maintain the outlet temperature as close as possible to the set-point temperature. By performing simulations using realistic parameters for industrial driers, we illustrate potential applications of the method.