Switching input controller for a food storage room

The temperature dynamics inside a bulk storage room for food products is modeled by a set of partial differential equations, and validated against experimental data. The product temperature is controlled by a cooling installation that is switched on and off on a regular basis. An approximate model is obtained after a timescale decomposition and transfer function (Padé) approximations. On the basis of this approximate model an open loop control problem is formulated and solved analytically. In addition to this, an analytic expression for the time that is needed to cool down the bulk is also derived. The approximate model is suitable for linear feedback controller design and allows a rigorous parameter analysis.