Analyze and control experiments automatically
Laboratory automation with ibaLogic
A leading expert in the field of methanation wanted to automatize his laboratory for "Biopower-to-gas" experiments. The "Power-to-gas"-procedure is an innovative procedure for converting surplus current into hydrogen by means of electrolysis. Then, there is the so-called methanation. In course of this process, synthetic methane is won from hydrogen and carbon dioxide. For this step, highly specialized micro organisms are used, which can convert hydrogen and carbon dioxide into pure methane.
In these test series, values like filling levels, temperatures, pressures, etc have to be measured. Moreover, e.g pumps and stirrers have to be controlled. Furthermore, the automation for new test series should be easily adaptable and expendable.
Business Benefits
Simple adaptation
of test procedures by graphical programming
Automatically generated
reports and long-term trends
Integration
into the laboratory database
The Technology
The PC based measurement and automation system ibaLogic is the central controller of the experimental setups. Newcomers as well as experienced programmers can learn rapidly how to use ibaLogic due to a user-friendly operating concept and the programming surface according to IEC61131-3, which can be used intuitively.
With ibaLogic, own control circuits can be created or adapted easily for test stands like e.g. controlling the mud flow rate, the filling levels of the tanks or the gas proportioning. These adaptations can be made without having to stop the running experiment.
Werner Zumbrunnen-Plass
Product Manager,
iba AG