Model predictive control of operation efficiency of belt conveyor

Variable speed control is proposed in literature to improve the operation efficiency of a belt conveyor. However, the current implementations mostly focus on lower level control loops without considerations at the system level. This paper intends to introduce optimisation approach to improve the operation efficiency of the belt conveyor under various constraints. An open loop optimal control is firstly proposed and followed by a closed-loop model predictive control (MPC). A typical belt conveyor is taken as a case study where the open loop and closed-loop control strategies are simulated, respectively. The simulation results are presented to show the advantages of the optimisation of operation efficiency of belt conveyors. Further, the rustiness of the MPC approach under certain disturbance is also convinced by the case study.