The CLARA Separator Series

The Alfa Laval CLARA range is designed for food, beverage, and industrial fermentation applications. Available in sizes from pilot-scale (CLARA 20) to large production units (CLARA 750), these separators require sophisticated HMI systems that enable operators to monitor and control separation processes effectively.

A well-designed HMI reduces operator errors, improves efficiency, and provides the visibility needed for optimal separator performance.

HMI Platform Selection

For CLARA separator applications with Allen Bradley control systems, we recommend:

HMI Design Principles

Effective separator HMI design follows established human factors principles:

High-Performance Graphics

Modern HMI design emphasizes clarity over visual complexity:

• Use muted gray backgrounds to reduce eye strain
• Reserve bright colors for alarms and critical status
• Minimize animation to reduce distraction
• Use analog representations (bar graphs, gauges) for process values
• Provide clear visual hierarchy with consistent layouts

Navigation Structure

Organize screens for intuitive navigation:

• Main Overview: At-a-glance separator status and key metrics
• Process Control: Detailed control for separation parameters
• CIP Control: Clean-in-Place sequence monitoring and control
• Trends: Historical data visualization
• Alarms: Active and historical alarm management
• Maintenance: Diagnostics and calibration functions

Essential Screen Content

Main Overview Screen

The main screen should provide:

• Separator operating mode (Stopped, Starting, Running, CIP, Fault)
• Bowl speed with target and actual values
• Motor current as percentage of rated
• Feed flow rate and pressure
• Key product quality indicators
• Active alarm summary
• Start/Stop controls

Process Control Screen

Detailed process control should include:

• Speed setpoint adjustment
• Discharge timer settings
• Feed valve control
• Backpressure control
• Temperature monitoring
• Process interlocks status

CIP Screen

CIP control screens should show:

• Current CIP phase with step-by-step visualization
• Phase timer countdown
• Chemical concentration (conductivity)
• Temperature control
• Flow rate monitoring
• Recipe selection and parameter adjustment

Alarm Management

Effective alarm management is critical for separator operations:

Trending and Data Logging

Historical trends provide valuable insight:

• Configure trends for key process variables
• Provide multiple timebase options (minutes to days)
• Enable pen comparison for troubleshooting
• Store historical data for batch analysis

Security and Access Control

Implement appropriate security measures:

• Role-based access control (Operator, Supervisor, Engineer)
• Secure login with password policies
• Audit logging for all parameter changes
• Session timeout for idle terminals

Regulatory Compliance

For pharmaceutical and FDA-regulated applications:

• FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliant electronic records
• Electronic signatures for critical actions
• Complete audit trail
• Data integrity protection