ABSTRACT
This chapter provides enough background to appreciate the basis for the rational design and implementation of bioprocess monitoring and control systems. It introduces those characteristics of living organisms germane to monitoring/control and to basic concepts, strategies, and hardware of monitoring/control systems. The emphasis is confined to fermentation processes and to automated, digital control systems employing some type of digital computer. The chapter examines the differences between direct digital control (DDC) and distributed control. One can get a sense of DDC by thinking about supermarket checkout lines. The chapter reviews basic control concepts and control algorithms. The bases of most models used for process control are the fundamental laws of conservation of mass and energy.
