Flatness-based Feedforward and Feedback Control for Heat and Mass Transfer Processes

This paper deals with the control of heat and mass transfer processes. The mathematical model of these processes is presented by a distributed parameter system with a so called distributed control and described by an inhomogeneous parabolic partial differential equation in one space dimension. The actuators in these processes are located above the channel, through that the medium to be heated flows. The distributed control corresponding to the actuators in the one-dimensional mathematical model is presented by the right part of the equation, i.e. the source function. The approaches for design of the feedforward and feedback control for the purpose of exact output tracking are presented. The design of the feedforward control is based on the flatness approach and examination of an inverse system dynamics. The proposed technique utilizes the method of the solution representation by power series in the time domain. The design of the feedback control is based on the utilization of generalized PI-control providing robustness. Some numerical simulations are included and demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed approaches