A dynamic model describing the principles of a steam supply system for a paper drying cylinder used in paper production plants was developed based on the mass and heat balances around the cylinder. The balance equations consist of sets of differential equations describing heat and mass transfer around the canvas, the web and the drying cylinder. The effects of the steam valve adjustment on steam pressure, temperature and moisture content were investigated based on the model developed. It was found that application of simple model predictive control to the operation of steam supply system is enough to achieve satisfactory drying performance in a single paper drying cylinder.