In this paper, we present results from the successful application of pole placement self-tuning control for a packed distillation column in a pilot plant. The steady-slate and dynamic behaviour of a binary packed distillation column has been simulated using a back mixing model. The model solution has been obtained employing orthogonal collocation on finite elements. A number of comparisons are made with results obtained both theoretically and experimentally. After a brief description of the pole placement self tuning algorithm the results are compared for the application at a SISO plant. A pseudo-random binary sequence and Bierman algorithm are used to estimate the relevant parameters of the system model. Pole-placement technique is applied to self-tuning proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control. Both experimental and theoretical works were carried out and results were compared.