This paper presents a comparative study of the temperature control of a pilot plant built for this purpose, with different control strategies implemented, including a model based predictive controller (MPC) and classical PID controllers with and without antiwindup action and the basic on-off control. The results of the control and monitor the temperature variable in real time were shown, with the use of the various controllers through a data acquisition system using a computer with Matlab's Real-Time Windows Target Toolbox. Finally, after evaluating different control techniques the best results were with the use of predictive control (MPC).