Application of Modern Control Theory to a Continuous Anne

This paper presents the development of a state variable/ Kalman filter/ LQG control system design. This design approach has been applied to control strip temperature in a continuous anneal process producing a variety of high strength low alloy steels for the automotive market. In this process, a steel strip passes continuously through five consecutive heat treating operations to achieve desired metallurgical properties. Each operation is controlled by an individual control system designed to maintain the tight strip temperature aims required for the product mix. To achieve this goal LQG control techniques were used to develop the control system.