Bond Graph Based Modelling and SMC Control of a Tunnel Dryer

In this paper, a sliding mode control with a proportional integral (PI) sliding surface applied to the hybrid tunnel dryer has been assessed through simulations. A dynamic model of the process was developed specifically for this purpose. The pseudo-bond graph methodology was used in modelling the system, such methodology was very suitable for this thermal process and permits us to establish a mathematical model. The proposed sliding mode controller is used to control the thermal and mass variables in the dryer, such as temperature and product moisture content. Simulation results show that this control strategy can obtain excellent control performance with no chattering problem and a good tracking of trajectory. Keywords—Pseudo bond graph modelling; sliding mode control; PI sliding surface; tunnel dryer; temperature; moisture content