Method and device for controlling a process

A method for controlling a process wherein an output variable (c) that depends on a plurality of influential parameters (v, a, h, .alpha.) acting on the process is influenced by a correcting variable (p*) acting through a correcting element on the process in such fashion that it assumes the value of a preset control variable (c*), comprising the steps of:

• a) calculating a model output value (c.sub.M) using of a model of the process, wherein the model output value (c.sub.M) is calculated as a function of the correcting variable (p*) supplied as an input to the model and the plurality of influential variables (v, a, h, .alpha.) and as a function of a plurality of variable model parameters (m);
• b) comparing the model output value (c.sub.M) with the measured output variable (c) of the process;
• c) depending on the results of the comparison in step b), changing the plurality of model parameters (m) to reduce a difference between the model output value (c.sub.M) and the output variable (c) of the process;
• and
• d) using the model of the process thus adapted to the actual process event to determine the correcting variable (p*) acting through the correcting element on the process as a function of the control variable (c*) and the plurality of influential variables (v, a, h, .alpha.),
• wherein a layer thickness (c) of a strip passing through a liquid bath is regulated in the process, with air being blown from a nozzle against the strip as it emerges from the liquid bath, with a layer thickness being the output variable of the process, air pressure (p) representing the controlling variable, and strip speed (v) as well as the geometric arrangement of the nozzle relative to the strip being the influential parameters acting on the process.