Original thinker redefines bioreactor control

摘要

An innovative design that combines off the shelf Mitsubishi Electric PLCs and HMIs has demonstrated that bioreactor control systems don't have to be complex to be effective. The incredible power and intelligence available from today's most elementary PLCs has been captured by a self-taught control engineer, who is using them to manage the growth of cell cultures in bioreactors. Lee Pettitt of I4Innovation in Thetford has married four Mitsubishi Electric Alpha controllers with the massively powerful GT15 HMI from the same company to constantly monitor and adjust pumps, propellers, inlet and outlet valves and multiple sensors in the reactors. In a parallel process, the control system also manages the production of nitrogen and oxygen from atmosphere for use in the reactor.