Seed Processing and Deposit Facilities

INDUSTRY:

Agriculture

FOCUS:

  • Ensuring precise environmental control within seed depositing silos.
  • Efficient and reliable seed transportation and processing.
  • Optimized air circulation to maintain seed quality.

OBJECTIVE:

Design and implement a fully automated corn seed processing and deposit facility with several functionality scenarios and a fully configurable system.

SOLUTION:

  • Utilized Siemens 1511-1PN PLC for primary control.
  • Integrated Phoenix Contact Axioline smart elements for distributed IO.
  • Employed Siemens V20 frequency inverters and Eaton soft starters for conveyor and elevator control.
  • Installed Schrack protection devices in a Rittal enclosure.
  • Developed control and visualization software using Ignition SCADA.
  • Implemented Siemens SIRIUS relays for system safety control.

PROJECT DURATION:

5 months

THE PROJECT COMPRISED OF:

System overview:

  • The corn seed processing facility comprises four seed depositing silos, each requiring precise environmental control to maintain desired parameters.
  • Two bucket elevators facilitate the vertical movement of corn seeds within the facility.
  • Seven conveyors are deployed, with one controlled using a Frequency Inverter and six utilizing soft starters for efficient operation.
  • Over 16 two-way/rotary valves are strategically positioned to regulate the flow of corn seeds throughout the processing stages.
  • Aeration ventilators are integrated to optimize air circulation and maintain seed quality during storage and processing.

Electrical design:

  • Eplan P8 + Pro Panel design of the main automation panel – Siemens 1511-1PN PLC for control, Phoenix Contact Axioline Smart Elements for distributed IO, Siemens V20 Frequency Inverters for conveyor system control, Eaton soft starters for transporters and elevators, Schrack protection devices, Rittal enclosure.
  • Ignition SCADA (Inductive Automation) for control and visualization.
  • Siemens SIRIUS relays for safety control of the system.

Automation:

  • PLC software development
  • FI configuration
  • SCADA software development
  • Electrical installation and commissiong of the entire installation.
  • The plant contained 4 seed depositing silos (where we had to keep the environmental parameters at a desired value), 2 bucket elevators, 7 conveyors (1 controlled with a FI and 6 with soft starters), over 16 two way / rotary valves, aeration ventilators, etc.
  • The main software was developed in the Siemens PLC, which received via PROFINET all the process signals from the distributed IO from Phoenix Contact.