Optimizing Dehydration Systems: Implementing Model Reference Adaptive Control for Enhanced Efficiency

Abstract

This study presents a robust control framework for enhancing the performance of thermal systems with significant input-induced delays, using a cabin dehydrator as a representative case study. The proposed Model Reference Adaptive Control (MRAC) strategy leverages a reference model to emulate desired system dynamics, enabling adaptive adjustments to maintain optimal performance under varying operating conditions. Stability of the system is rigorously established through Lyapunov-based analysis, ensuring global asymptotic stability. Additionally, the frequency response of the system, characterized using Bode plots, provides critical insights into the bandwidth and responsiveness of the control strategies. A comparative evaluation is conducted with classical PD and PID controllers as well as a simplified MRAC design to highlight the advantages of the complete MRAC framework. The analysis includes stability metrics such as gain and phase margins, offering a quantitative assessment of the robustness of each controller. Experimental validation further evaluates the proposed approach in terms of its effectiveness in regulating temperature and preserving active substances during the dehydration process. The findings underscore the MRAC framework as a promising solution for achieving precise and adaptive thermal regulation in systems subject to delays.