A MODULAR COMPUTER-CONTROLLED FERMENTATION PILOT-PLANT

A computer-controlled pilot-plant for the fermentation of both microorganisms and animal cells was designed and set up for the scale-up of processes and the production of sample material for clinical trials. The modular design of the fermentation units allows for the adaption to the specific requirements of production organisms. Extensive documentation of batches, as required by regulatory authorities are achieved by the direct digital control concept with an industrial process control computer system. The pilot-plant hardware is presented and the development of the process control software described.