Process Automation

Process Automation

Flocon Industries delivers every high-purity water system with a fully integrated, automatic process automation platform that is engineered to eliminate operator dependence and ensure audit-ready performance across every stage of water purification. At the core of each system is a robust PLC-based control panel that orchestrates the complete process sequence based on programmed process logic. This encompasses pre-treatment, RO production, storage, distribution, and sanitisation. A touch-screen HMI provides operators with a control interface for real-time process oversight, manual control, and set-point adjustment. An IPC-based SCADA platform delivers plant-wide operational status and centralised data logging to analyse trends and provide regulatory-grade reporting.

Every system is engineered to meet 21 CFR Part 11 standards, incorporating time-stamped electronic records, role-based user access control, electronic signatures, and a tamper-evident audit trail. This ensures you receive complete data integrity and regulatory traceability for FDA, EU GMP, and WHO inspections. Features such as automated equipment interlocks, conductivity-triggered divert-to-drain logic, UV lamp failure protection, and low-flow shutdown sequences prevent out-of-specification water from reaching your point of use, ensuring consistent process quality. Additionally, real-time monitoring of conductivity, TOC, temperature, flow rate, pressure, and UV intensity supports continuous alarm management with configurable alert and action thresholds. Our systems are engineered for critical applications in accordance with global standards of excellence for control of water systems to decrease human dependence and increase process productivity.

Standard Features

21 CFR Part 11 compliance control system available.

Reputed quality of PLC, HMI and Drives from manufacturers like Rockwell Automation, Siemens, Schneider, and Delta.

Control panel Logics are tested at factory before dispatch.

SS304 Durable stainless steel construction for control panel housing.

Critical parameters printing facility available.

Premium quality of auto valves and control instruments for trouble free and long operating life.

Data logging and 21CFR Part 11 compliance with IPC or desktop PC options available.

System Parameters

Process Automation
System Parameters Typical Requirement
Digital Inputs Pump status, valve feedback, level switches, alarms
Digital Outputs Pump start/stop, solenoid valves, actuators
Analog Inputs Conductivity, temperature, pressure, flow, level
Analog Outputs Control valves, VFD speed reference
Control Logic Auto / Manual / Semi-auto
Interlocks Pump, valve, pressure, level, temperature and process interlocks
HMI Based User Interface
System Parameters Typical Requirement
Equipment Status Pump/valve/device status
Process Values Flow, pressure, temperature, conductivity, level
Setpoints Authorized adjustment of process setpoints
Equipment Control Start/stop/open/close functions as permitted
User Levels Operator / Supervisor / Engineer
Process Mimic Graphical representation of piping/equipment
SCADA
System Parameters Typical Requirement
Process Visualization Graphical plant/process mimic
Real-Time Monitoring Continuous parameter display
Event Logging System/operator events
Reports Batch/process/parameter/alarm reports
Audit Trail Secure, time-stamped audit trail
Operating System Validated OS configuration
  1. 1

    System Sensors

    Continuously measure critical process parameters such as TOC, pressure, flow rate, temperature, UV intensity and level.

  2. 2

    PLC (Process Logic)

    Processes sensor inputs, compares them with actionable thresholds to execute programmed control process logic, operation sequences, failure protection alarms, interlocks, etc.

  3. 3

    Equipment Actuators

    Receive PLC commands and operate pumps, valves and other equipment to maintain the required process conditions.

40+

Years of advisory, purification expertise and client trust for storage and distribution systems

100%

Positive passing rate of US FDA, WHO, and EU GMP ( Annex 1) compiance audits

Certifications & Compliance

Validation documentation

Complete DQ/IQ/OQ validation package along with supporting documentation followed by protocol execution support.

Pharmacopoeia standards

Designed to meet current USP/BP/EU pharmacopoeia standards and WHO / cGMP requirements.

Made To Serve

Pharmaceutical

Biotechnology

Food & Beverage

Diagnostics

Healthcard / Hospitals

Chemical Processing

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about our industrial and manufacturing services, processes, and support. If you need more details, our team is always ready to help.

Still Have Questions?

Our experts are here to guide you through every step of your industrial transformation journey.

Process automation in pharmaceutical water system and Ultrapure water systems uses PLC/SCADA, sensors, transmitters, valves, and control logic to automatically monitor and control water treatment, storage, distribution, and sanitization. It maintains critical parameters such as flow, pressure, temperature, conductivity/resistivity, TOC, and tank levels within defined limits. Automation supports GMP by improving process consistency, reducing operator error, providing alarms and interlocks, and creating reliable electronic records for traceability and trending. It also supports deviation investigation and preventive maintenance. The automation system must itself be qualified and validated, with controlled user access, audit trails, data integrity, backups, calibration, cybersecurity, and documented change control. 

A SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system connects to PLCs, sensors, transmitters, and instruments throughout the pharmaceutical water system. It continuously collects parameters such as flow, pressure, temperature, conductivity, TOC, tank level, and system status. SCADA displays real-time process conditions, generates alarms when parameters exceed predefined limits, and records historical data for trending and review. It can also provide electronic batch or cycle records for processes such as sanitization. For GMP compliance, SCADA should use validated software, controlled user access, audit trails, secure data storage, backups, time synchronization, and appropriate electronic-record controls, ensuring data remains accurate, complete, attributable, and retrievable.

21 CFR Part 11 is an FDA requirement for ensuring that electronic records and electronic signatures used in regulated pharmaceutical processes are trustworthy, reliable, and equivalent to paper records.
For a pharmaceutical water-system SCADA, this means:

  • Controlled user access and unique user IDs/passwords.
  • Audit trails showing who changed data or settings, what changed, and when.
  • Secure, accurate, and retrievable electronic records.
  • Controls preventing unauthorized data modification or deletion.
  • Electronic signatures where required.
  • System validation, backup, security, and documented change control.

In practice, Part 11 applies when SCADA-generated electronic records are relied upon for GMP-regulated activities or quality decisions.

EU GMP Annex 11 governs computerized systems used in GMP operations, including PLC/SCADA systems controlling pharmaceutical water generation, storage, distribution, and sanitization. It emphasizes risk-based validation, data integrity, access control, audit trails, electronic records, backup, change control, incident management, and periodic review.
21 CFR Part 11 is the corresponding U.S. FDA framework for electronic records and electronic signatures.
The key difference is that Annex 11 is broader and more lifecycle/risk-focused, covering the computerized system and its GMP processes, while Part 11 focuses more specifically on the reliability, integrity, and regulatory acceptability of electronic records and electronic signatures. Both require validated, secure, traceable systems.

GAMP 5 (Good Automated Manufacturing Practice 5) is a risk-based framework developed by ISPE for validating computerized systems used in regulated pharmaceutical manufacturing. For a pharmaceutical water system, GAMP 5 guides validation of PLC, SCADA, HMI, historian, and related software.
The process typically includes defining the URS, performing a GMP and risk assessment, assessing suppliers, developing functional/design specifications, and conducting documented testing such as IQ/OQ/PQ or equivalent verification. Critical functions—alarms, interlocks, control sequences, data recording, access controls, audit trails, and electronic records—are tested. Lifecycle controls include change management, deviation handling, backup, cybersecurity, periodic review, and revalidation to maintain the validated state.

A pharmaceutical water-system SCADA network should use a defense-in-depth, risk-based cybersecurity approach:

  • Segment the SCADA/OT network from corporate IT and the internet using firewalls and secure network zones.
  • Use unique user accounts, strong authentication, least-privilege access, and role-based permissions.
  • Restrict remote access through controlled, monitored, and preferably MFA-protected connections.
  • Maintain secure patching, antivirus/endpoint protection, vulnerability management, and application whitelisting where appropriate.
  • Monitor network activity, system logs, and security events.
  • Protect PLC/SCADA configurations and GMP data with backups and disaster recovery.
  • Control USB/removable media and vendor access.
  • Integrate cybersecurity controls with GMP validation, change control, audit trails, and data-integrity requirements.

Clarify your queries with our High-Purity Specialist

Share your equipment queries, raw water parameters or loop requirements. Our engineering team will review your requirements and get in touch within 48 hours to clarify your queries and provide you with our best purity solutions.