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TPE September 9, 2021 0 Comments

Quattroflow Fluid Systems – Q-Control Integrated Pump Controller

PharmOvate-Triangle Process Equipment is pleased to announce that Quattroflow™ has added Q-Control Integrated Pump Controller for multiple and single-use pumps to their product offering.

Q-Control is designed to interface with a variety of flow and pressure sensors to provide user with automated control over their pump operations. With built-in smart control functions that no longer requires an external PLC, Q-Control leads to a new generation of Quattroflow™ biopharma pumps.

  • Integrated pump controller that interfaces with different flow and pressure sensors
  • Smart control functions that usually require an external PLC
  • PID control mode for pressure- or flow-controlled pump operations
  • Autotune function to automatically find optimal PID parameters
  • Configurable alarms to stop the pump
  • Dispensing feature to automatically fill defined volumes of liquid
  • RS485 Modbus communication port
  • Trend data and alarm logging
  • Remote operation
  • Available for Quattroflow quaternary diaphragm pump models: QF30, QF150, QF1200, QF2500 and QF4400

Additional Resources

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: For what pumps sizes is the Q-Control available?

A: Q-Control is available with the QF30, QF150, QF1200, QF2500 and QF4400.

 

Q: What sensors can be connected to the Q-Control pump?

A: Any sensor with 4-20mA analog output can be used. In addition, one of the four input channels allows 0-10VDC input signals. Connecting cables can be ordered separately.

 

Q: What sensors can be ordered with the Q-Control?

A: Customers can order em-tec clamp-on flow sensors (single-use) or Labom pressure sensors (multiple-use).

 

Q: Do the sensors need a separate power supply?

A: If 24VDC is needed as a power supply, it can be provided by the Q-Control itself.

 

Q: How are the sensors connected?

A: The pumps are supplied with mating M12 connectors, which will be used to wire the sensor the sensor with the Q-Control.

 

Q: What alarm functions are available?

A: Alarms can be triggered with external sensors (e.g. diaphragm monitoring, pressure switch) or based on readings from flow- or pressure sensors. Each alarm will stop the pump and show an alarm message that needs to be confirmed before the pump can be restarted.

 

Q: Is it possible to export the pump configuration?

A: Yes, the pump configuration can be exported to a USB stick. It is also possible to import the configuration or upload it on other Q-Control pumps.

 

Q: Will Q-Control pumps be available with an ATEX rating?

A: No, Q-Control pumps can only be used in non-explosion proof areas.

 

Q: What does autotune mean and how does this work?

A: Autotune is an internal procedure of the pump that helps to determine optimal controller settings for PID control modes (flow- or pressure control). During this procedure, the pump speed is varied, and the resulting sensor readings are used to calculate the controller settings (PID-parameters) automatically. Depending on the process setup, additional fine-tuning is sometimes necessary to achieve the desired control behavior.

 

Q: Can the pump be controlled remotely?

A: Yes, the pump speed can be controlled remotely over a 4-20mA or 0-10V input and started / stopped over a digital input. The digital input can also be used to externally start/ stop PID control or dosing functions.

 

Q: How can the digital input be used?

A: The digital input can be triggered over a dry contact or by connection to a source of up to 5VDC. The logic can be inverted for each input.

 

Q: Is it possible to change units of measure?

A: Yes, it is possible to change between predefined units like LPM, LPH, mlPM and GPM for flow rate and barg or PSI for pressure.

 

Q: What languages are supported?

A: The controller supports German and English languages.

 

Q: What options are available for data logging?

A: Data logging can be activated to write values like motor speed, analog input readings, alarms, and digital input readings into a csv-file on a USB stick. Once activated, the logging will automatically start if the pump is turned on and will stop if the pump is turned off. In addition, all data is available to external data logging devices over Modbus RTU communication.

 

Q: What is included in the dosing function?

A: The dosing function allows the pump to dispense certain volumes of liquid. For example, it would automatically dispense 100 ml of liquid for 20 times with 2 seconds pause between the fills. The dispensing is based on a calibration and does not need an external sensor.

 

Quattroflow is part of PSG®, a Dover company. To inquire about a Q-Control, or any other Quattroflow pump, please contact a PharmOvate-Triangle Process Equipment representative today.