Global linearizing control of MIMO microwave-assisted thawing

The application of a global linearizing control algorithm to a multi-input–multi-output (MIMO) microwave thawing process is addressed in this paper. The objective is to control the defrosting time while preventing thermal runaway. A model of the heat transfer with a source term is proposed and is reduced to a system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations using a finite volumes scheme. The control consists of multivariable trajectory tracking, while acting on the microwave power and on the air velocity of a tangential cooling air blast. Experimental and simulation results are discussed in MIMO and single-input–single-output (SISO) configurations.