The main goal of this work is to investigate the performance of a Receding Horizon Model Predictive Control scheme applied to a real plant. Nonlinear Model Predictive Control (MPC) algorithms have been described in the literature with great success when applied in simulation studies. However, simulation results do not always reflect the process realities, and they are often inadequate to guarantee that such sophisticated control algorithms can be applied in real plants. In this work, a linearized MPC control design has been experimentally used for temperature and level control in a CSTR. The process is unstable in open-loop, the variables are not all measured, while the process parameters are not very well known and can change with time. The experimental control tests were carried out in an industrial scale pilot plant where a pseudo zero order exothermic chemical reaction is partially simulated. The rate of heat generated by reaction is calculated and converted into an equivalent steam flowrate, which is injected in the mixture. A significant improvement in the controller performance is obtained with the MPC strategy, when compared with the previously existing PI based controller structure. The possibility of implementing the MPC in the corresponding industrial environment is outlined.