1. In a process control system having first input means, for receiving input signals indicative of measured process attributes in physical process equipment, and output means, for transmitting command signals which include at least one manipulated parameter variable that is used to govern the physical process equipment, an adaptive controller comprising: second input means for acquiring the monetary value of at least one fluctuating economic variable; interactive optimization means for determining the value of at least one manipulated parameter variable for said physical process equipment at selected intervals, said interactive optimization means having at least an input signal reconciliation model, for deriving a reconciled input signal set from the input signals, and an optimizing engine means, for converging upon an optimized value for said manipulated parameter variable in response to the reconciled input signal set and the monetary value of at least one fluctuating economic variable; and real-time executive means for directing the operation of said interactive optimization means, said real-time executive means having means for periodically transferring at least some of said input signals from said inputs means to said interactive optimization means and means for transferring at least one manipulated parameter variable from said interactive optimization means to said output means.