Real-time Efficient Operation of Decatizing Processes via a Geometric-based Extremum Seeking Control

Abstract

Finishing is one of the fundamental steps of textile production and still, nowadays, it largely depends on empirical knowledge. Aim of finishing processes is to impart the required functional properties to the fabric and, in particular, decatizing is the process that lends the fabrics dimensional stability, enhances the luster, and improves the so-called fabric hand, corresponding to the sense of touching a textile. In order to properly treat the textile while minimizing the process energy consumption, suitable decatizing operating conditions, such as air temperature and humidity in the steaming section, have to be set. In this paper, because of the limited knowledge of certain process parameters and the difficulty of developing, implementing, and using effective a-priori process models, the problem of determining the set-points for the main controlled process variables is formulated as a constrained optimization problem and this is faced by means of a model-free approach. More precisely, we consider a constrained Extremum Seeking Control (ESC) scheme, using a geometric approach. In this preliminary study, first, we develop a Matlab-based simulation environment for the textile decatizing process and then we exploit it to design and test the ESC scheme. The in silico results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed approach.