“Autonomous Processes in Particle Technology – Research and Testing of Concepts for Model-based Control of Particulate Processes” (SPP 2364)
Deadlines: 24. September 2021; 15. Dezember 2021
Due to the distributed properties of particles, their processing often prevents extensive automation and autonomous process control, which stands for an autonomous adjustment of the product properties without external intervention. The goal of the Priority Programme is therefore the research and the testing of methods for an autonomous process control in particle technology. The focus is on the coupling of the material and data streams of the respective unit operations with measurement technology, modelling and control algorithms to form a closed loop for model-based control. After termination of the programme, a new type of “box of scientific tools” (methods, algorithms, models, data structures and information architectures) should be available, which will allow a reliable process control where the tool can also be transferred to new particle processes.
In detail, the thematic goals can be formulated as follows:
- Investigation of the process dynamics of individual process steps and of the interconnection of unit operations to form a process chain with material and energy recycles.
- Optimisation of different target functions with regard to the pursued property distribution and resource efficiency.
- Ensuring the stability of the process chain according to the influence of uncertainties, perturbations and constraints.
- In addition, there are the methodological objectives:
- Coupling of material and data streams of the unit operation or within process chains of the process models, the measurement methods and the control technology to ensure an autonomous process.
- Extension of methods for in-situ measurement of particle or product properties by means of reconstruction of easily accessible measurement information.
The structure of the Priority Programme is divided into three topics:
- The topic of Development of controllable process models (modelling) is focused on the development of dynamic process models, which can be used for process control.
- The overall objective of the topic Measuring systems for the in-situ acquisition of product properties (measurement technology) is the development of real time capable in-situ measurement techniques for the direct acquisition of distributed product properties.
- The goal of the topic Development of concepts for model-based control of particle technology processes (process control) is the development and implementation of control concepts for single-stage and, in a further step, multi-stage particle processes (process chain).
We will organise a web-meeting on 7–8 October 2021 to improve the coherence of the Priority Programme. This meeting will also provide an opportunity to discuss possible collaborations or joint proposals. Invitations to this meeting will be based on previously submitted abstracts. Applications from first time applicants are especially encouraged. A separate information session will be offered for this purpose.
The programme is designed to run for six years. The present call invites proposals for the first three-year funding period.
