Predictive control of a nonlinear distributed parameter system : real time control of a painting film drying process

This paper deals with the model predictive control of processes. The new step is the use of a distributed parameter system instead of a lumped parameter system. The internal model control structure is also used to solve the trajectory tracking problem. The internal model is obtained from the linearization of the initial set of nonlinear partial differential equations about the desired trajectory. Finally, the control problem stated as a constrained optimization problem is solved by a control algorithm. Experimental results presented here show the efficiency of this control strategy.