Nonlinear control of a wood chip refiner

This paper presents a multivariable controller for a wood chip refiner in a thermomechanical pulping (TMP) process in pulp and paper industries. A Generalized predictive control (GPC) algorithm is developed based on a nonlinear Laguerre model. In stead of conventional input/output model, a nonlinear Laguerre model is used to represent a nonlinear process properly without the accurate knowledge of the order or time delay of the process. Simulations are used to demonstrate the benefits of applying this control algorithm to a wood chip refiner.