Distillation column control has been the the "Lehigh inquisition" and survived! So it subject of many, many papers over the last has been tested by the fire of both actual half century. Several books have been de­ review by a hard-nosed plant experience and voted to various aspects of the subject. The group of practically oriented skeptics. technology is quite extensive and diffuse. In selecting the authors and the topics, There are also many conflicting opinions the emphasis has been on keeping the ma­ about some of the important questions. terial practical and useful, so some subjects We hope that the collection under one that are currently of mathematical and the­ cover of contributions from many of the oretical interest, but have not been demon­ leading authorities in the field of distillation strated to have practical importance, have control will help to consolidate, unify, and not been included. clarify some of this vast technology. The The book is divided about half and half contributing authors of this book represent between methodology and specific applica­ tion examples. Chapters 3 through 14 dis­ both industrial and academic perspectives, and their cumulative experience in the area cuss techniques and methods that have of distillation control adds up to over 400 proven themselves to be useful tools in at­ tacking distillation control problems.