Multivariable control architecture for a cryogenic test facility under high pulsed loads: Model derivation, control design and experimental validation

In this paper, a complete framework including modeling, identification and control design for an experimental Helium refrigerator facility submitted to high pulsed loads is proposed. Such high pulsed loads are expected to take place in future Tokamaks such as the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) or the Japan Torus-60 Super Advanced (JT60SA). The control architecture is split into two loops: The first concerns the warm compression system while the second manages the remaining part of the refrigerator (often called the cold box) in which the set-points of the first loop are viewed as manipulated variables. The efficiency of the proposed solution is experimentally assessed under several scenarios including those involving realistic high pulsed loads.

► A complete control scheme is proposed for a testbed cryogenic process.
► Linear models are identified for both the warm and the cold box.
► LQ design is proposed.
► Experimental validation are shown.