This paper presents a study where an adaptive partial state reference model (PSRM) controller is designed and experimentally implemented for temperature control in batch and fed-batch chemical reactors. The PSRM control design is carried out using a linear quadratic control within the delta operator formulation. The control allows to specify the tracking and regulation dynamics independently, while the delta formulation is motivated by the convergence of its performances to their continuous counterpart as well as its intrinsic numerical robustness.