Digital parameter-adaptive control for a solar concentrator

The discrete-time control algorithm of a solar concentrator unit is presented. This system is required to supply thermal energy so that the outlet working fluid temperature could be kept constant. A simple linear finite-difference approximation of the process dynamics provides the basis for the controller design. No initial knowledge of the values of the approximate process model parameters is necessary as the on-line identification procedure is incorporated in the contrll algorithm. Control design and Recursive Estimation Methods has been combined toobtain Self-Tuning Regulators. The results of computer simulation indicate that a very satisfactory performance of the solar collector can be achieved using self-tuning regulators. Moreover the proposed regulators are suitable for microprocessor-based system implementation.