MAINTENANCE, EQUIPMENT AND OPERATIONAL IMPROVEMENTS WITHIN AN ESTABLISHED FERMENTATION PILOT-PLANT

The Merck Research Laboratories' Fermentation Pilot Plant was construc ted and commissioned in the early 1980's. It is a highly instrumented and automated facility which serves to maximize data collection for a variety of experimental batches. To continue successful and versatile operation as the facility ages, various improvements in equipment, mai ntenance, instrumentation, cleaning and sterility have been implemente d. The goals were to improve flexibility, minimize down time, increase measurement accuracy and reduce contamination to enhance facility out put for process development and clinical material production.