Process Control

Case History
Fermentation Batch Control and Product Tracking

Project
Develop the controls and HMI for sixteen batch fermentors, and store batch production information in a database with operator access and comment capabilities.

Architecture

• Sixteen B. Braun Biotech fermentors with B. Braun MicroDCU controls.
• Four Wonderware InTouch HMI nodes.
• A Microsoft Access database server for batch information tracking.
  

Implementation
Four InTouch nodes were configured and connected to the B. Braun Biotech MicroDCU control package, using an InTouch-MicroDCU interface developed specifically for this project. A server-based Microsoft Access database was built to store ingredient, run, and sample information by batch ID. The database was configured to hold batch start/stop, batch ID, and operator comments from the HMIs. This information, together with process information from the MicroDCU system, was used to develop custom batch reports, which replace reports that had been previously developed by hand.

Status
The project was completed successfully and on schedule. Since system startup, there has been no loss of data and no data corruption in the database. The customer has discontinued generation of reports by operators; the reports generated by the control system are used for product tracking and batch genealogy.