The paper presents a description of used methods and exemplary mathematical models which are classified into theoretical-empirical models of thermal processes. Such models encompass equations resulting from the laws of physics and additional empirical functions describing processes for which analytical models are complex and difficult to develop. The principle of developing, advantages and disadvantages of presented models as well as quality prediction assessment were presented. Mathematical models of a steam boiler, a steam turbine as well as a heat recovery steam generator were described. Exemplary calculation results were presented and compared with measurements.

Electromagnetic mill installation for dry grinding represents a complex dynamical system that requires specially designed control system. The paper presents model-based predictive control which locates closed loop poles in arbitrary places. The controller performs as gain scheduling prototype where nonlinear model – artificial recurrent neural network, is parameterized with additional measurements and serves as a basis for local linear approximation. Application of such a concept to control electromagnetic mill load allows for stable performance of the installation and assures fulfilment of the product quality as well as the optimization of the energy consumption.