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Retrofitting a Legacy Chiller with CoreBoard®

Precision is everything in biotechnology and pharmaceutical manufacturing—especially regarding temperature regulation.

Solution

Digital CDMO

Industry

Biotechnology

Scope

Retrofitting / IT / OT / R&D

Timeframe

1 month

40h

of development time

3000$+

money saved

3h

from 40 to 2°C

The client

Research unit specialized in biotechnology and life science fields. Takes care of multiple studies such as cell cultures, algae production, organ perfusion, and transplantology.

Business needs

In many biotechnological processes, temperature is a critical factor, both for the environment and the process itself. The need for dynamic temperature regulation is particularly essential, for instance, to maintain optimal conditions for algae growth. But simple regulation is not enough. We need this data to be digitized, stored and must be accessible for other devices to maintain smart processes .

The challenge

  • 01

    The tank’s contents cannot leave the vessel for temperature regulation.

  • 02

    The temperature must be regulated precisely.

  • 03

    Rapid and drastic temperature changes may occur.

  • 04

    Data must be digitized and available from control application.

Our solution

  1. Supports various cooling liquids

    The system allows for the use of different liquids, such as distilled water or glycol, to accommodate specific temperature requirements, including those below 0°C. Flexible and tailored to specific needs!

  2. Uniform temperature control

    A regulated liquid surrounds the tank, ensuring even and consistent temperature adjustment. Efficient and precise!

  3. Integrated cooling unit

    A standard refrigeration unit is used for temperature regulation, offering reliable performance. Simple and effective!

  4. Smart orchestration via CoreBoard®

    By integrating the chiller with the CoreBoard®, chiller control is possible both through the software and via OPC UA or MQTT, and all information is digitized and transmitted to the system.

  5. Dynamic closed-loop regulation

    With built-in temperature monitoring, the system provides real-time, automated adjustments for optimal temperature management. Adaptive and cutting-edge!

Technology used

  • Embedded Systems (C++)
  • IT/OT integration (MQTT/OPC UA)
  • Power over Ethernet
  • A4BEE CoreBoard®

The outcome

The legacy chiller device has been revitalized with the integration of CoreBoard®, transforming its functionality and extending its usefulness.

  • System integration — The chiller can now be controlled directly from within the system, streamlining operations.
  • Enhanced data handling — It enables the collection and analysis of operational data for better insights.
  • Improved temperature control — The system can now regulate based on internal tank temperature instead of just the regulating liquid’s temperature.
  • Cost-efficient upgrade — This transformation eliminated the need to replace the device with a newer, more expensive model.
  • Powered by CoreBoard® — A compact yet powerful addition that made all these advancements possible!
Felix Piątek
When I first saw the chiller, I thought, “I can’t believe someone is still using equipment like this.” The need to constantly approach the device, check if the temperature was correct, and the inability to gather data was unacceptable. Thanks to CoreBoard® and the amazing team, A4BEE proved that even equipment like this can get a second life and continue to serve effectively. Not to mention the money saved on purchasing a new device and integrating it into the system!
Felix Piątek — R&D Engineer

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