This study focuses on the development and performance of four plant-wi
de control structures for the Tennessee Eastman challenge problem. The
control structures are developed in a tiered fashion and without the
use of a quantitative steady state or dynamic model of the process. Th
e throughput or production rate manipulator is selected first so that
it is located on the major process path. The inventory controls are ar
ranged in an outward direction from this throughput manipulator. The f
our structures are described and comments are given on their effective
handling of the defined disturbances and setpoint changes. One struct
ure provides effective control under all circumstances for 50 hours of
process time. The effective dynamic performance of these structures s
upports the strength of the tiered plant-wide control design methodolo
gy used.