OPTIMAL PROCESS-CONTROL THROUGH COMPUTER-SIMULATION

Process engineers are often confronted with optimal control problems, in which one or more control variables are to be found to minimize a g iven cost function. Since to begin with the mathematical models of ind ustrial processes are often very complex, solution of these continuous dynamic optimal control problems involves a prohibitively long mathem atical development, followed by huge and tedious programming work. A p rogram called COMMIN was recently developed to handle this situation. Its content has been published earlier. This article deals with its ap plication to the solution of practical control problems, using a compu ter model of the industrial process to be optimized. Examples are pres ented giving the fuel optimization for an aluminum sheet continuous an nealing furnace and an aluminum casting furnace. It is shown that COMM IN, while requiring from the user no special skills in programming or in optimization, can be a practical tool that opens the way to new app lications in optimal process control.