Patent ID: 7989199
Filing Date: 2011-08-02
Classification: C12M,C12Q,G05B,G05D

Abstract:
1. A method of controlling a bioreactor with a control system having a controller configured with a bioreactor process, the controller coupled to a bioreactor utility tower configured with a monitoring system that transmits information related to a condition of the bioreactor to the controller, a supply system which supplies a substance to the bioreactor in response to a first control signal, and an agitation system which agitates a solution in the bioreactor in response to the first control signal, the method comprising: receiving in the monitoring system sensor data related to a first condition in the bioreactor; sending information related to the sensor data from the monitoring system to the controller over a first communication network; receiving the information related to the sensor data in the controller; determining, in the controller, a first control action for the utility tower to perform that will change the first condition in the bioreactor, the first control action being based on the information related to the sensor data received by the controller and the bioreactor process; generating the first control signal in the controller corresponding to the first control action; sending the first control signal from the controller to the utility tower over a second communication network to direct the utility tower to perform the first control action; and performing, in the utility tower, the first control action to change the first condition in the bioreactor, wherein performing the first control action in the utility tower comprises one of supplying a substance to the bioreactor from the supply system and agitating the solution in the bioreactor using the agitation system.