Adaptive control is finding its way into real-life situations, mainly as a result of considerable advances in microelectronics and the understanding of adaptive control theory. Several adaptive control algorithms are now available and many industrial applications have been performed in the field of chemical engineering and more recently in the field of particulate processes. This paper gives an overview of discrete adaptive controllers. It presents qualitatively rite underlying control design and discusses the recursive least-squares estimation algorithm with requirements for long-term parameter tracking. Particular emphasis is put on the design assumptions and several adaptive central applications in the particulate process field are given. Results concerning the adaptive control of a simulated grinding circuit are detailed.