Predictive control of microwave hot-air coupled drying model based on GWO-BP neural network

A GB-MPC control algorithm (GWO-BP-MPC) was proposed to solve the problem of precise temperature control of fruit and vegetable coupling drying devices. Firstly, the BP (Back Propagation) neural network was improved using the Grey Wolf Optimizer (GWO) algorithm to increase the relevance and accuracy of the prediction model. By means of an improved neural network, we developed a high-accuracy predictive model for temperature control of drying units. Secondly, the projection conjugate gradient method was proposed for nonlinear optimization of the control system to improve the solving speed and accuracy of the optimal solution. The GB-MPC control algorithm was compared with the PID controller. The experimental results shown that the convergence speed of GB-MPC control was faster, the time took to reach a steady state in a single stage was shortened by 47 seconds compared with PID control. In the control process, the temperature change range of the GB-MPC control algorithm was smaller and there was no overshoot problem, which gave a better control effect than PID.