Rotary kilns (or rotary dryers) are used extensively in industry
for drying solids. They consist basically of a large metal tube
which is rotated while hot air and wet solids are fed into it.
Both co-current and counter-current configurations are used.
Below is a schematic of a typical dryer used to dry polymer powders:
Often final product quality and profitablilty is heavily dependent
on the drying operation. On one hand, if the dryer is run too
cool, residual liquid may be left in the product and ultimately
effect the polymer's performance when it is extruded (melted).
On the other hand, running the kiln too hot may cause the polymer
to burn or melt prematurely, changing the polymer's properties
and again effecting its performance when it is molded. Finally,
lest we forget we are ultimately trying to make money, suppose
our customer allows a certain amount or moisture in your product.
Why spend the extra energy (i.e. $$) over-drying your product?
Rotary kilns are also used extensively in the paper industry to
convert lime "mud" (slurry) into powdered lime. Typically
the air flow for this application is counter current and there
are two manipulated variables and two measured outputs:
For those of you that travel the Massachusetts Turnpike and would
like to view a lime kiln firsthand, there is a lime manufacturer
called the Lee Lime Company, in (where else) Lee Massachusetts,
just over the border from New York. Their kiln is easily visible
from the interstate on the East side of their plant. There are
also a few so-so pictures at www.kiln.com, the web site for Phillips
Kiln.
For this case study problem we will be modeling, simulating, and finally controlling a lime kiln. You will be given a "black box" in Simulink format which you are to regard as the actual plant. You will perform step tests to develop a model, then using that model, develop controllers to run the process. Since this is a MIMO system, you will also be asked to suggest the controller "pairing" that is best for this system. Finally, you will present and discuss your results.