Controlling the Moisture Content within a Product of the Continuous Dryer [Translated]†

The control characteristics of the moisture content within a product (dried sardine powder called "fish meal") are investigated for an in-direct heating continuous dryer. The system is described by a state space model, and the controller is designed based on the discrete I-PD control scheme. State variable is estimated by applying the steady or extended Kalman filter because the moisture content measured by an infra-red hygrometer contains a large amount of random noise due to the rough surface of the powdery product. Satisfactory control performance is achieved for a pilot-scale continuous dryer.† This report was originally printed in J. Soc. Powder Technology, Japan. 25(10), 654-659 (1988) in Japanese, before being translated into English by KONA Editorial Committee with the permission of the editorial committee of the Soc. Powder Technology, Japan.