Model based control has emerged as an important way to improve plant efficiency in the process industries, while meeting processing and operating policy constraints. The reader of Methods of Model Based Process Control will find state of the art reports on model based control technology presented by the world's leading scientists and experts from industry. All the important issues that a model based control system has to address are covered in depth, ranging from dynamic simulation and control-relevant identification to information integration. Specific emerging topics are also covered, such as robust control and nonlinear model predictive control. In addition to critical reviews of recent advances, the reader will find new ideas, industrial applications and views of future needs and challenges. Audience: A reference for graduate-level courses and a comprehensive guide for researchers and industrial control engineers in their exploration of the latest trends in the area.

The ASI on Nonlinear Model Based Process Control (August 10-20, 1997~ Antalya - Turkey) convened as a continuation of a previous ASI which was held in August 1994 in Antalya on Methods of Model Based Process Control in a more general context. In 1994, the contributions and discussions convincingly showed that industrial process control would increasingly rely on nonlinear model based control systems. Therefore, the idea for organizing this ASI was motivated by the success of the first one, the enthusiasm expressed by the scientific community for continuing contact, and the growing incentive for on-line control algorithms for nonlinear processes. This is due to tighter constraints and constantly changing performance objectives that now force the processes to be operated over a wider range of conditions compared to the past, and the fact that many of industrial operations are nonlinear in nature. The ASI intended to review in depth and in a global way the state-of-the-art in nonlinear model based control. The list of lecturers consisted of 12 eminent scientists leading the principal developments in the area, as well as industrial specialists experienced in the application of these techniques. Selected out of a large number of applications, there was a high quality, active audience composed of 59 students from 20 countries. Including family members accompanying the participants, the group formed a large body of92 persons. Out of the 71 participants, 11 were from industry.