The beard-Lin time-optimal control algorithm (Lin, 1988) is a novel, model-independent time-optimal algorithm. To use the Beard-Lin algorithm, only the steady-state gain of the system and the limits of the manipulatedvariable need to be speccified; the system must also be initially at steady-state. The time cconstants, however, are not required. In addition to providing time-optimal ccocntrol (TOCC), the algorithm also generates a dynamic model for the system, which can be succcessfully applied the Beard-Lin timeoptimal control algorithm to a carbon fiber extruder, a sandbath, a dummy reactor in a sandbath and an exothermic batch reacctor simulation. In this work, the application of the Beard-Lin TOC algorithm to est point changes in the product composition of distillation column simulations is studied. Distillation columns are among the most difficult chemical processes to control. This is especially true in two-point control, where both the distillate dna bottoms compositions are controlled. However, proper control of distillation columns can effectively cut energy costs and meet demands on product purity.This application provides a severe test of the ability of the Beard-Lin TOCalgorithm to deal with complex, nonlinear, multivariable systems. Two kinds of distillation columns were simulated in this work : an ideal binary column and a methanol-water column. For both columns, the time-optimal controlalgorithm was successful in performing set point changes, one at a time, of the distillate and bottoms compositions at moderate putiry, in single-end and two-point control. No compositionn analyzer dead-time was included in these initial testing. When composition analyzer dead-time was included fot for the methanol-water colum, the algorithm was robnust enough to satisfactorily perform the set point changes without any adjustments in the algorithm to account for the dead-time. Finally, the TOC algorithm successfully performed set point changes for the methanol water column in the high putiry region, even though it has beeb reported as a particularly difficult control problem.