Optimal control of induction heating processes using FEM software

This contribution presents the optimal control of an induction heating process. The formal Lagrangian technique is applied to the optimal control problem to derive the first-order optimality conditions in terms of a first optimize then discretize approach. It is shown how a gradient algorithm in combination with FEM software can be used to numerically solve the optimality conditions consisting of partial differential algebraic equations of several coupled physical domains in a straightforward manner.