H_∞ controller design for boilers

Abstract

Abstract This paper examines the ability of the H ∞ design methodology to provide a solution to a gas‐ or oil‐fired boiler control problem, and addresses the nontrivial application issues of the H ∞ design. The H ∞ methodology is applied to an experimentally verified heating‐cogeneration boiler model which exhibits nonlinearities, instability, time delays, non‐minimum phase behaviour, and coloured noise disturbances with sensor noise in the frequency range of the significant plant dynamics. The design shows that, to satisfy performance criteria, a high order controller is needed. The paper also demonstrates a trade‐off between the reduction of controller order and the loss of controller performance.