In this paper a model for a pilot-scale tubular reactor is developed using aggregated-parameters. The resulting model is a linear-varying system with time-varying delay. This model is simulated and compared to the results obtained from the experiments performed on the pilot-scale tubular reactor. In order to design a tracking control and considering the characteristics of the resulting model, predictive control techniques are used. The predictor is applied and a delay-free system is obtained. A tracking controller using the block control technique is proposed and is applied during simulation, the results are shown. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.