Editorial - The second ALSTOM benchmark challenge on gasifier control

The ALSTOM benchmark challenge on gasifier control II was initially launched by ALSTOM in 1992 and is now hosted by the IEE PN for control and automation on its website. The intention was to provide an industrially relevant control problem using which, researchers could implement and demonstrate their control methodologies. The challenge comprises a non-linear model of a coal gasifier, a set of control system design requirements and several test cases, which facilitate the comparison of different control designs upon a level playing field. In September 2004, the challenge was the focus of a special session of the UKACC Control 2004 Conference at the University of Bath. The presentations generated lively debate and the audience were able to participate in the evaluation of several control approaches as applied to a difficult industrial control problem. This editorial introduces a special section on the benchmark challenge problem, briefly describing each of the extended papers published in the section.