Optimization of a water-treatment system with fuzzy logic control

Fermentation sludge obtained in the course of producing penicillin as a by-product contains microorganisms and remnants of nutrient salts. It is the basic material for a high quality fertilizer that can be sold. To gain the fertilizer the sludge is concentrated in a decanter and then cleared of the remaining water in a vaporizer. In order to reduce energy costs of the vaporizing process the separation of water and dry substance in the decanter has to be optimized. Due to complexity, caused by long deadtimes, the proportioning process of precipitants of a decanter is often controlled manually. From an economical point of view installations are normally operated suboptimal to avoid endangering the process. Sludge draining of a fermentation applied by a company in Austria producing penicillin demonstrates how the process can be optimized by use of fuzzy technologies