The steady-state and dynamic behaviour of a binary packed distillation column have been simulated using a stagewise approach. The model solutions have been obtained employing modified equilibrium including efficiency and non-equilibrium transfer unit. This work compares an experimental and a theoretical analysis of the steady-state and dynamic behaviour of a packed distillation column using a 0.08 m ID pilot-scale tower distilling a mixture of methanol-water. The packed distillation column was divided into four stages based on McCabe-Thiele method. For control studies, reflux ratio was chosen as a manipulated variable, so the effect of the perturbation on reflux ratio to the overhead temperature was examined. Theoretical and experimental results were compared in order to see the validity of the stagewise approximation. The application of two types of model based control system was considered theoretically, viz PID and dynamic matrix control (DMC). First-order plus dead time model and convolution model were used for step test in the control applications. Performance of these control systems were tested using control performance criterion. These control systems were also compared with open-loop dynamic behaviour and each other.