Possibilities of using robust controllers for a shell-and-tube heat exchanger control were studied, tested and compared by simulations and obtained results are presented in this paper. The heat exchanger was used to pre-heat petroleum by hot water; the controlled output was the measured output temperature of the heated fluid — petroleum, and the control input was the volumetric flow rate of the heating fluid — water. Robust controllers were designed using ℋ2, ℋ∞, ℋ2/ℋ∞ strategies and