Optimal control application to block-ice production process using dynamic programming

Abstract

To present an application of optimal controller design to a block-ice production process using dynamic programming. First, we develop mathematical models for such a process by employing system identification techniques. In particular, we build two parametric models, namely, linear model and neural network model. Linear models are built with Auto-Regressive model with exogenous inputs (linear ARX model). Feedforward neural networks (NNARX model) are constructed using the information provided by the linear ARX models. In addition, the Optimal Brain Surgeon (OBS) method is employed to prune the neural network models. Comparing the experimental results obtained from these models, it indicates that linear ARX models yield reasonably good performance in terms of the model fit. Then, using the obtained models, we investigate the energy consumption and operation cost of an ice factory when using time of use (TOU) tariff and time of day (TOD) tariff. Specifically, we develop an optimal control design for block-ice production process. The optimal strategy aims to minimize the electricity cost over a finite-time horizon and is subjected to constraints involving the control input of compressors, the brine temperature, and the number of block-ices ready for sales. Moreover, various factors in the design criteria have been analyzed with respect to the energy consumption and the operation cost. We compare the performance of the optimal controllers and the conventional control strategy. The simulation reveals that the proposed optimal control design has better performance than that of the conventional control. Furthermore, the optimal control using TOU tariff can reduce the operation cost when comparing to the one using TOD tariff.