A minicomputer system for analyzing and reporting pilot plant fermentor data

Journal Article · Sun May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1983 · Biotechnol. Bioeng.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5647363

Bowksi, L; Perley, C R; West, J M

In 1979, a minicomputer system was developed for Hoffmann-La Roche by ABEC, Inc. for the purpose of achieving on-line analysis and reporting of data from 16 70-L pilot-plant fermentators (New Brunswick Scientific Co.). The system consists of a PDP 11/60 computer with 96K core capacity, two RL01 disk drives, two RX01 floppy-disk drives, LA-36 DECwriter terminal, Tektronix CRT, and Versatec printer plotter. DEC, PDP, RSX, RL01, RX01, LA-36, and DECwriter are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation. The computer software comprises three distinct groups of programs. RSX-11M is a disk-based operating system that allows quick response to realtime events, such as process monitoring and data acquisition, while carrying out less time-dependent activities, such as program development and graphical output. The AIM (Biles, Inc.) system is used to acquire and convert the voltage signals produced by pilot-plant instrumentation into engineering units. Analysis and graphical output are executed by ABEC and Versatec supplied programs. The most beneficial task performed by the computer is the production of graphical output of a variety of measured and analyzed data. This has led to an increase in personnel productiv ity and design of more meaningful experiments. An ancillary function of the system is to pick up data logged by a PDP 11/03 computer from a remote fermentation production plant by means of a MODEM interfaced communication link. Production data are analyzed and presented in a form dentical with pilot-plant data. The experience with the system is discussed in this article.

• Research Organization: Biotechnology Process Development, Technical Development Department, Chemical Division R and D, Hoffman-La Roche, Inc., Nutley, New Jersey 07110
• OSTI ID: 5647363
• Journal Information: Biotechnol. Bioeng.; (United States), Vol. XXV:5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
COMPUTERIZED CONTROL SYSTEMS
MICROPROCESSORS
FERMENTATION
PILOT PLANTS
BIOMASS
BIOREACTORS
COMPUTER CODES
DATA PROCESSING
ON-LINE SYSTEMS
BIOCONVERSION
COMPUTERS
CONTROL SYSTEMS
ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
ENERGY SOURCES
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
MICROELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
PROCESSING
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
090222* - Alcohol Fuels- Preparation from Wastes or Biomass- (1976-1989)