NCERC accelerates the growth of the biorenewables industry through the commercialization of advanced biofuel products and technologies. To ensure the success of every project, NCERC provides clients with access to facilities equipped with leading-edge process automation, instrumentation, electrical and analytics solutions from Siemens for the purposes of process control, simulation and monitoring.

Automation: NCERC's 24,000-square-foot pilot plant operates on Version 9 of the SIMATIC PCS 7 distributed control system with SIMATIC BATCH and Advanced Process Library (APL) add-ons. PCS 7 automates, visualizes and optimizes the core process equipment for every client, giving NCERC the flexibility to offer continuous or batch runs for multiple feedstocks. 
Simulation: As the only organization in the world to offer both classroom training and hands-on instruction specific to the biorenewables industry, NCERC plays a key role in filling the growing need for qualified personnel to operate and manage biofuel refineries. They rely on the SIMIT Simulation Platform to create a virtual model of a plant’s original SIMATIC PCS 7 control screens, making it possible to train operators on a variety of procedures and critical scenarios without disrupting production or endangering worker safety. 

Instrumentation: The pilot plant operates four 6,000-gallon jacketed fermenters with eductor pumps for solids sweeping. The tanks, eductors and other key points in the fermentation process are monitored by SITRANS FC Coriolis mass flow meters, SITRANS P pressure transmitters and SITRANS LR radar level indicators, with SIPART valve positioners controlling pneumatic valves. Many of the Siemens instruments in use have built-in PROFIBUS PA capabilities across a digital network, allowing for high-speed, two-wire communication. 
Electrical: NCERC utilizes smart electrical devices from Siemens, including the SIMOCODE Pro motor management system and SINAMICS variable frequency drives. 
Analytics: When a client asked about evaluating a biochemical application, NCERC added a bank of OXYMAT and ULTRAMAT gas analyzers for measuring oxygen and CO2 levels in the fermentation process.

A longstanding partnership between the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center and Siemens Process Automation has elevated renewable fuel production with state-of-the-art technology for process control, simulation and monitoring, including SIMATIC PCS 7 BATCH, SIMIT Simulation Platform and a range of SITRANS instrumentation.