Furnace temperature control by self-tuning control theory

The rapid progress of microprocessing techniques enables us to simulate the complex system by using the microcomputer. In this paper, the adaptive temperature control of a furnace is considered based on the multivariable self-tuning control (STC) theory. The main reason to adopt the multivariable STC algorithm is that the measurement data looks like random signal and the control system can be modelled as minimum-phase. The control input has been determined by using the multivariable STC method in the microcomputer. According to the control input, solid state relays (SSRs) are controlled such that the desired power can be supplied. The experimental results are illustrated to show the effectiveness of the present algorithm compared with the results using PID control methods by Ziegler-Nichols and conventional PID controller