STATISTICAL PROCESS MONITORING OF BIOREACTORS: A COMPARISON

Batch processes, such as fermenters, generally require high levels of consistency in their operation to ensure minimal losses of raw materials and product. Recent application studies have indicated that multivariate statistical technology can provide some support when trying to maintain consistent operation in complex batch processes. This paper aims to compare four different approaches to batch process monitoring using statistical methods. The comparison is made in terms of their respective ability to tolerate normal process variation while detecting abnormal operation of a process. The comparison is performed using data sets obtained from one simulated bioreactor and two industrial fermentation processes.