Operator-Based Fractional-Order Nonlinear Robust Control for the Spiral Heat Exchanger Identified by Particle Swarm Optimization

Abstract

Fractional-order calculus and derivative is extended from integral-order calculus and derivative. This paper investigates a nonlinear robust control problem using fractional order and operator theory. In order to improve the tracking performance and antidisturbance ability, operator- and fractional-order-based nonlinear robust control for the spiral counter-flow heat exchanger described by the parallel fractional-order model (PFOM) is proposed. The parallel fractional-order model for the spiral counter-flow heat exchanger was identified by particle swarm optimization (PSO) and the parameters of a fractional-order PID (FOPID) controller were optimized by the PSO. First, the parallel fractional-order mathematical model for a spiral counter-flow heat exchanger plant was identified by PSO. Second, a fractional-order PID controller and operator controller for the spiral heat exchanger were designed under the identified parallel fractional-order mathematical model. Third, the parameters of the operator and fractional-order PID were optimized by PSO. Then, tracking and antidisturbance performance of the control system were analyzed. Finally, comparisons of two control schemes were performed, and the effectiveness illustrated.