A Hybrid Predictive Control Scheme for Hygrothermal Process

Abstract

This work is focused on developing control algorithms for hygrothermal process represented by mixed logical and dynamical models. An example is the closed newborn incubator. Such kind of system promotes a controlled micro-climate, with small heat transfer between the premature and the environment, leading to comfortable and healthful environment. This device can be represented by a piece-wise linear model having discrete values for the input signal range. A hybrid predictive control scheme is proposed for such a process. The algorithm can also be applied to different dynamic systems having the same characteristics and it is easy to be implemented in real-time environments. System identification results based on orthonormal basis functions for finding the set of linear transfer functions are discussed. Closed-loop control experiments, by using an actual laboratory pilot plant (full scale), are performed and presented to validate the proposed method.