An integrated control of strip casting process by decentralization and optimal supervision

The modeling and control of a twin roll strip caster is investigated. Mathematical models for the strip casting process are obtained by analyzing five critical areas such as the molten steel level of the pool, solidification process, roll separating force and torque, roll dynamics including hydraulic actuators, and roll drive system. Two-level control is proposed. At low level, three local subsystems are independently feedback-controlled by suitable local controllers which perform well for each subsystem. At high level, all reference signals to the low level subsystems are generated by an optimal controller from the perspective of regulating the strip thickness and roll separating force. Simulations are provided