Optimal process control through computer simulation

Process engineers are often confronted with optimal control problems, in which one or more control variables are to be found to minimize a given cost function. Since to begin with, the mathematical models of industrial processes are often very complex, solution of these continuous dynamic optimal control problems involves a prohibitively long mathematical development, following by huge and tedious programming work. A program called COMMIN was recently developed to handle this situation. Its content has been published earlier. This article deals with its application to the solution of practical control problems, using a computer model of the industrial process to be optimized. Examples are presented giving the fuel optimization for an aluminum sheet continuous annealing furnace and an aluminum casting furnace. It is shown that COMMIN, while requiring from the user no special skills in programming or in optimization, can be a practical tool that opens the way to new applications in optimal process control.