Micro-pumps provide precise control down to 0.05 ml/hr
ILS Automation, Inc., a bioprocess control and systems integrator that designs and builds the AFC series of custom controllers, has launched its AFC 928 Dual Bioreactor Control System. Designed for cell culture and fermentation applications in bench-to-pilot scale reactors, the AFC 928 is unique in its ability to offer precise control over very low flow applications down to 0.05 ml/hr, allowing labs to replace their external syringe pumps with fully integrated peristaltic pumps.
“We designed the AFC 928 to marry the advanced features of our AFC 900 series bioreactor controllers with the extremely low feed rates of a syringe pump. The combination allows our users to incorporate syringe pump level feed rates into the control strategies and run a batch for weeks or months without exposing the system to contamination from refilling or replacing syringes,” said Scott Freedman, ILS Automation’s Director of Sales and Marketing.
ILS was driven by customer feedback to create the AFC 928. ILS engineers integrated four 400A series variable speed micro pump heads and three full-size variable speed pump heads from Watson-Marlow into the control system. Users will benefit from the integration of the micro pump heads. Nutrient feeds, which would now be part of the recipe, can now be designed to cascade with pH and DO, setpoint profiles can change feed rates over time, and any part of the system can be controlled remotely through Batch Expert+ software.
Technical Specifications for the AFC 928 Bioreactor Control System
- Built-in support for smart probes and analog probes, including:
- Mettler-Toledo: ISM pH, pCO2, Redox, Optical DO, polarographic DO, analog pH
- Hamilton: Optical DO, VisiFerm pH, Incyte Cell Density
- Aber: Biomass Monitor
- Additional Features:
- Control up to two reactors from any vendor
- Integrated control of up to 6 MFCs per reactor
- Optional Water Box for temperature control of jacketed reactors and cooling loops
- Standard configuration includes a 500 W stirrer motor (~0.5HP) and supports 2-15 liter reactors
- Designed using open, non-proprietary, available quality components
About ILS Automation, Inc.
ILS Automation is an engineering firm that specializes in providing custom bioreactor controllers, systems integration, and software for biopharmaceutical, biofuel, C&O, and agricultural industries. ILS designs and builds the flexible AFC series of controllers for cell culture, microbial, and bench-to-pilot scale reactors using modern, rugged, off-the-shelf components.
Their software application, Batch Expert+, is the next generation in web-based real-time alarming, control, recipe management, historian and trend charting software that works with every manufacturer’s bioreactor controllers.
