A methodology to control direct-fired furnaces (Q2573699)

In this ample and very written paper the authors consider heating of a metal square prism in a furnace (i.e. the place in which heat may be generated). The problem they want to solve is that the deviation of the prescribed temperature field and the energy input in terms of the fuel consumption should be minimized, which is not an easy task since the system is subject to many unpredictable influences. In order to accomplish this goal, the authors employ an almost optimal (suboptimal) control technique based upon Bellman's open loop method. The criterium of optimality (the performance index) is given in the Bolza form. The paper is written in a computer ready application form. A concrete example is analyzed in detail.