Adaptive Model Predictive Controller for Web Transport Systems

Abstract

In web transport systems (WTS), parameter variations in transported material affects the product quality and integrity of the processed material.This investigation presents an adaptive model predictive controller for WTS in process industries considering the variations of the web radius with respect to time.The proposed controller uses a radius approximation algorithm for estimating the changes in web radius.The controller then updates the WTS model with the estimated changes in web radius that enters as the disturbance in the system.Then, the controller uses the model with disturbance estimation algorithm and an optimization routine to compute the future control moves that guarantee product quality, while simultaneously satisfying the physical and operating constraints of WTS.Furthermore, it assures product quality with web radius variations.The main advantage of the proposed controller is, it combines the predictive and optimality features of MPC with adaptation provided by an adaptive controller.Simulations on WTS used in paper industries illustrates the performance and advantages derived by employing the adaptive MPC against conventional MPC.Our results show a reduction in the peak overshoot, integral absolute error, and integral time square error by using the adaptive MPC.