Fermentation Technology Interview Questions and Answers for Experienced people on “Instrumentation and Control – Computer Applications”.
1. Who discovered the computer applications in fermentation technology?
A. Yamashita and Murao
B. Grayson
C. Bushell
D. Nyiri
Answer: A
Clarification: The initial use of computers in the fermentation technology was discovered by Yamashita and Murao in the 1960s. It led to the development of pilot plants and laboratory systems.
2. The initial use of computers in fermentation technology was used in the production of ___________
A. Glutamine and lysine
B. Glutamic acid and penicillin
C. Penicillin and cysteine
D. Cysteine and butyric acid
Answer: B
Clarification: The initial use of computers in the 1960s for modeling the fermentation technology was used for the production of glutamic acid and penicillin. They were first discovered by Yamashita and Murao.
3. Who recognized the distinct areas of computer function?
A. Nyiri
B. Bushell
C. Grayson
D. Morganid5fdb7853bb1f8″
Answer: A
Clarification: Nyiri in 1972 recognized the functions of computers in distinct areas. There were three areas: Logging of process data, Data analysis or reduction of logged data, and process control.
4. What do you mean by logging of process data?
A. The interface between sensors and computers
B. Printing of analyzed data
C. Transferring of signals to switch
D. Entering the values in computer
Answer: A
Clarification: The logging of process data is data acquisition with software and hardware components. It is an interface between the sensors and the computer.
5. The DAC converts _____________
A. Electrical signal to digital signal
B. Digital signal to mechanical signal
C. Digital signal to electrical signal
D. Mechanical signal to electrical signal
Answer: C
Clarification: The Digital to Analogue Converter (DAC. converts a digital signal from the computer into an electrical signal in the form of voltage which is used to drive electrical equipment, e.g., a stirrer motor.
6. What is the full form of DDC?
A. Direct Digital Control
B. Digital Direct Control
C. Digital Data Control
D. Data Digital Control
Answer: A
Clarification: When the fermentation system is under the direct control of the computer system, it is known as Direct Digital Control. It is an automated control of the fermentation system by the computers.
7. Who discussed the merits of DDC and SSC?
A. Whiteside and Morgan
B. Karim
C. Rivera
D. Ramirez and Shi
Answer: A
Clarification: Whiteside and Morgan discussed the merits of Supervisory Set-Point Control (SSC. and Digital Data Control (DDC.. They also discovered the historical cases of installation and operation of both systems.
8. Who recognized the three levels of process control?
A. Arminger and Moran
B. Ramirez and Shi
C. Karim and Rivera
D. Whiteside and Morgan
Answer: A
Clarification: Arminger and Moran in 1979 recognized the three levels of process control that is incorporated into the system. Each level consists of more complex programs and requires an understanding of the process.
9. SSC is control when the fermenter is under the direct control of computer software.
A. True
B. False
Answer: B
Clarification: SSC is the use of an independent controller. The use of SSC is to manage all control functions of a fermenter and the computer communicates with the controller only to exchange information.
10. What is the function of 8-bit converter?
A. It divides the signal into 64 steps
B. It divides the signal into 256 steps
C. It divides the signal into 1024 steps
D. It divides the signal into 128 steps
Answer: B
Clarification: The 8-bit converter works in the range of 0 to 255. It is, therefore, able to divide the signal into 256 steps. This gives maximum accuracy of 100/256, which is approx 0.4 %.
11. The ADC converts the analog signal into a digital signal.
A. True
B. False
Answer: A
Clarification: The ADC converter is used to convert an analog signal into a digital signal. It depends on the number of bits it sends to the computer. Bits are the unit of binary information.
12. Which of the following device is capable of executing a sequence of instructions?
A. Processer
B. CPU
C. Control Unit
D. Arithmetic Logical Unit
Answer: A
Clarification: The processor is a hardware device that is capable of executing a sequence of instructions. It is a small microchip whose job is to receive and provide input.
13. Which of the following parameter cannot be measured by a computer system?
A. Temperature
B. pH
C. Foam
D. Sterility
Answer: D
Clarification: Parameters such as temperature, pH, foam formation, etc can be measured by the sensors which produce a signal which is detectable by a computer system.
14. Who described the Gateway Sensors?
A. Aiba
B. Royce
C. Zabriskie
D. Cooney
Answer: A
Clarification: Aiba et al. in 1973 described the Gateway Sensors. Some of the gateway sensors are pH, DO Sensors, Gas-flow rate, Feed rate, Sugar-level, Carbon dioxide evolution rate, oxygen in exit gas sensors.
15. What is the function of a 10-bit converter?
A. It divides the signal into 64 steps
B. It divides the signal into 256 steps
C. It divides the signal into 1024 steps
D. It divides the signal into 128 steps
Answer: C
Clarification: The 8-bit converter works in the range of 0 to 1023. It is, therefore, able to divide the signal into 256 steps. This gives maximum accuracy of 100/1024, which is approx 0.1 %.