Challenge
Distilled spirits have complex processing needs. To stay competitive, spirit producers often turn to batch processing and blending solutions to improve their operational agility; however, this can be compromised as their systems become outdated. This was the case for a global leader in the spirits industry who needed to update their existing blending system to better support recipe management, faster quality verification, and adaptive ingredient delivery. The global spirits leader engaged Automation Group and their industry partner Barnum Mechanical Inc. to provide a turnkey solution given their collective process design and control system integration expertise.
Solution
The first step was to understand the customer’s recipes and batch execution methods. This included their ingredient applications, equipment processes, and final product expectations. The project team introduced the customer to ISA-88 batch process management; a set of standards published by the International Society of Automation (ISA) for managing batch control systems. It divides a batch process into a hierarchy of subdivisions to better optimize the utilization of assets and operational performance.
Using the ISA-88 standard, the project team divided the production environment into logical blocks to separately analyze units, equipment, and control modules. With these separated, the sequencing of the process could be well-outlined and then proven for accuracy and reliability. The project team utilized Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk Batch and View Site Edition networked software to provide seamless integration across all aspects of the system. The team also integrated electrical design and automated reporting solutions for classified areas to help safeguard assets, equipment, and people. Once completed and thoroughly tested, the project team stayed onboard to train operations staff on how to quickly adapt to the updated system and take advantage of its enhanced features.
Results
The complex project lasted eighteen months to design, develop, commission, and decommission the existing system. Automation Group and Barnum Mechanical Inc. enjoyed the opportunity to collaboratively leverage their process knowledge to design the batching and CIP systems, as well as support PLC and HMI programming. For the global spirits leader, the updated system supported increased productivity with greater system reliability in addition to improved quality with more precise control strategies using ISA-88 standards.
