Pilot scale is the scale-up step before commercial production. Talamus pilot systems run the sterilisation in place (SIP), controlled cooling and cultivation phases automatically. The system integrates with plant utilities (steam, cooling water, compressed air).
TLM120 is a pilot system with automated phase management, consisting of a seed reactor and a pilot reactor. We deliver both vessels on a shared skid together with valves, instrumentation and the control unit.
The TLM500 photographs on this site show this system.
TLM500 is a jacketed, stirred pilot and pre-production reactor. It operates with plant steam, cooling water and compressed air connections. SIP, controlled cooling and cultivation phases run automatically. Harvest follows steps defined on the control unit.
| Volume and materials | |
|---|---|
| Working / total volume | 500 L / 600 L |
| Product-contact surfaces | AISI 316L, certified material |
| Connections | Hygienic connections; drainage slope and permissible dead-leg L/D ratios defined in the project P&ID and fabrication documentation |
| Surface roughness | Target Ra of product-contact surfaces, weld finishing and passivation scope stated in the project documentation |
| Mechanical | |
| Heat transfer | Heating and cooling through the jacket; jacket type and heat transfer area in project documentation |
| Agitator | Top-driven; impeller type and number of stages selected for the process |
| Lid | Lifting device for maintenance access |
| Pressure and temperature rating | In project documentation |
| Sterilisation, gas and liquid | |
| SIP | Automated; vessel and filter lines. Hold time and acceptance criteria in project documentation |
| CIP | CIP equipment; cleaning cycle, chemical dosing and validation scope defined per project |
| Aeration | Mass-flow controlled, sterile-filtered |
| Dosing | Acid, base, antifoam, feed |
| Sampling and harvest | Sterile sampling port, harvest valve |
| Measurement and control | |
| Control | Closed-loop control for temperature and pH; configurable cascade control for DO; threshold-based dosing for foam |
| Monitoring and interlocks | Level and pressure monitoring; interlock conditions in project documentation |
| Standard sensors | Analogue or digitally communicating pH measurement chain depending on model, optical DO, temperature, hydrostatic level, pressure, air flow |
| PAT options | In-line biomass/OD, viscosity, exhaust gas, dissolved CO₂ |
| Controller and interface | Industrial PLC, PID loops, touch-screen operator panel (HMI) |
| Field communication | 4–20 mA analogue signal or digital communication such as Modbus, depending on the sensor/transmitter model |
| Delivery | |
| Scope | Skid-mounted; piping, valves, instrumentation, control unit |
| Site utilities | Steam, oil-free compressed air, cooling water, water of the quality required for process and cleaning, power |
* Given in project documentation: pressure and temperature rating, motor power, surface roughness and supplier model codes.
The operator selects the process phase; the related valve positions, permissives and control loops engage in a defined sequence.
Plant steam is used for jacket heating, while the product-contact sterilisation in place (SIP) circuit uses steam of a quality suited to the process requirement. Steam distribution, condensate drainage, temperature measurement points, hold time and any required isolation or protection arrangements are defined within the project. SIP conditions are managed within equipment and sensor limits.
We review the plant utility values in the first meeting and define them in the project documentation.
Information on the target batch volume, seed stage and the steam, air and cooling utilities available on site is sufficient for an initial assessment.