Simple Model and Predictive Control of a Pharmaceutical Batch Fluidized Bed Dryer

The fluidized bed theory can be complex, especially for heterogeneous flow descriptions with bypasses, generally resulting in large differential and algebraic systems of equations. Consequently, their applicability to model-based process control is limited. In this work, a simplified homogeneous model for pharmaceutical batch drying is derived from the two-phase fluidization theory using physical insights and simplifying assumptions, reducing more than a hundred equations to five. A nonlinear model predictive controller with an internal model structure is designed from these simple equations, showing the simplicity of tuning and implementation. Parameters of the model are calibrated through nonlinear grey-box identification using pilot scale experimental data. The validation demonstrates that the proposed simplifications do not impair the ability to replicate the process dynamics adequately with experimental conditions similar to the ones used for calibration. Closed-loop results in simulation attest the robustness of this control strategy. Copyright (C) 2021 The Authors.