Method and controller for controlling a continuous process

A method of operating a controller of a continuous process, wherein the controller outputs a signal to adjust one or more manipulated variables (MVs), the signal being associated with an effect of one or more disturbances on the process or an associated process stream arising from the process, wherein an adjustment of the one or more MVs affects the process and affects a controlled variable (CV) measured at an output of the process, the CV being indicative of a characteristic of the process or associated process stream arising from the process, the method comprising:

• allowing one or more disturbances to affect the process or process stream arising from the process;
• measuring the CV affected by the one or more disturbances;
• producing a compensated control variable CV′ by subtracting at least part of the effect of the one or more disturbances from the measured CV, wherein the effect of the one or more disturbances on the process or associated process stream and on the measured CV is at least partially masked;
• comparing the compensated CV′ with a set point to generate a deviation;
• and
• inputting the deviation into the controller, such that the effect of the one or more disturbances on the process or associated process stream and on the measured CV is at least partially masked from the controller, and the adjustment of the one or more MVs at an output of the controller, in response to the at least partially masked one or more disturbances, is at least partially reduced.