Automated process controller of a retort system for thermal processing of canned foods.

Date

10-2010

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics

College

College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Nelio C. Altoveros

Abstract

A low-cost microcontroller- and computer-based process controller for an automated retort system for thermal processing of canned foods was designed, developed and tested. The controller regulates the temperature and pressure inside a retort or autoclave. A microcontroller was programmed to regulate the on and off states of five solenoid valves that control the inflow and outflow of steam, air and water. A Graphical User Interface (GUI) using Microsoft® Visual Basic (VB) was implemented to gather user inputs, display the status of the retort system during runtime and provide means for manual override. Another program in VB was made to control the thermal processing in a retort based on time, user inputs and feedback sensor readings of pressure and temperature. A Solid State Relay (SSR) driver module and actuator driver module were fabricated to activate the five 220VAC solenoid valves. The process controller was tested by conducting standard runs of the thermal processing. The thermal process consisted of the pre-heating, cooking, cooling, and shutdown stages. Temperature and pressure profile results showed that the instrument was able to control the temperature and pressure inside the retort. The performance of the basic control procedures was tested to be 100% successful. The value of dead-/ band was reasonably placed at 0.25 second or 250 milliseconds. In the cooking period, the temperature profiles gave an average of 0.61 °C standard deviation and 0.33% average error, while the pressure profiles gave an average of 0.06 kg/cm' standard deviation and 3.71% average error. The pressure profiles in the cooling period gave an average of 0.06 kg/cm- standard deviation and 6.21% average error. The total cost spent on the production of a single unit was approximately twenty three thousand pesos, which is relatively less expensive than similar instruments available in the market. Keywords: Automation, Process Control, Retort, Thermal Food Processing

Language

English

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Call Number

Thesis

Document Type

Thesis

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