Application of fuzzy relational modelling to industrial product quality control

Abstract

Abstract Industrial product quality control is a typical mathematical programming and optimization problem. Unfortunately, complete and precise models are not always available for many industrial processes. A fuzzy relation modelling approach is proposed to describe approximate relationships among system variables and reconcile empirical equations. Symmetric fuzzy decision‐making is transformed into a non‐linear function maximization problem. The approach is applied to optimization of a wood chip refining process. It is used either to improve pulp quality within the refiner operation range, or to reduce operation costs while maintaining an acceptable pulp quality.