Wireless technology improves efficiency at Novartis biotech plant 12 March 2010

Easier maintenance and better control and flexibility are being reported by Novartis at its biotech production facility in Huningue, France, following installation of a wireless plant network.

Philippe Heitz, head of engineering, Novartis, explains that Emerson's DeltaV digital automation system, with an integrated Wi-Fi network and mobile operator stations, is providing process and plant information to operators and maintenance staff throughout the site.

Localised control is essential for this process, he says, because it is spread over three production levels, as well as being dispersed around the site.

"In 2000 we introduced wireless technology and recognised that it was well suited to our needs. The most recent developments to Emerson's DeltaV system have enabled us to implement a plant wide wireless solution," explains Heitz.
Novartis achieved wireless coverage using 10 Wi-Fi access points. The network includes 17 mobile operator stations and 100 DeltaV controllers, spread over two systems: the first managing upstream cell cultivation and harvesting; the second controlling downstream purification and freezing.

Heitz says the mobile stations, which are stainless steel enclosed for sterile zones C and D, provide complete flexibility of control. Operators can move from one level to another, and still maintain their process overviews.

That has reduced the number of conventional workstations required by 50% and resulted in efficiency improvements, especially for plant maintenance and instrument calibration.

"Because of the wireless network, we do not need to systematically invest in new control stations, even if the production of new products requires a change to the plant equipment or layout," adds Heitz.

Brian Tinham

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