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PLC-Based Automatic Control of a Poultry Feed Mill in Lualaba, DR Congo


Authors : Georges Minda Mwilambwe; Luc Lumanji Mbunga; Rayden Nkulu Kabembo; Narcisse Meni Babakidi; André Bandekela Kazadi

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 10 - October


Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/42sz23cz

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26Oct054

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.


Abstract : Poultry farming in Lualaba Province (DR Congo) relies heavily on feed imported mainly from Zambia, which raises input costs and exposes farmers to supply disruptions. This paper presents the design of an automatic control system, based on a programmable logic controller (PLC) and modelled with GRAFCET, for a poultry feed unit producing 1.2 t batches. The method combines four mathematical models: least-cost formulation by linear programming, cumulative batch weighing with in-flight cut-off compensation, an exponential mixing model based on the coefficient of variation (CV), and electromechanical sizing of the drives.

Keywords : Programmable Logic Controller; GRAFCET; Poultry Feed; Linear Programming; Batch Weighing; Coefficient of Variation; Electrical Sizing; Lualaba.

References :

  1. African Development Bank. (2024). Local production of quality affordable poultry feed [Report]. Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation.
  2. Clark, P. M., Behnke, K. C., & Poole, D. R. (2007). Effects of marker selection and mix time on the coefficient of variation (mix uniformity) of broiler feed. Journal of Applied Poultry Research, 16(3), 464–470.
  3. David, R., & Alla, H. (1992). Du Grafcet aux réseaux de Petri [From Grafcet to Petri nets] (2nd ed.). Hermès.
  4. International Electrotechnical Commission. (2013a). GRAFCET specification language for sequential function charts (IEC 60848:2013).
  5. International Electrotechnical Commission. (2013b). Programmable controllers — Part 3: Programming languages (IEC 61131-3:2013).
  6. International Electrotechnical Commission. (2016). Safety of machinery — Electrical equipment of machines — Part 1: General requirements (IEC 60204-1:2016).
  7. Larbier, M., & Leclercq, B. (1992). Nutrition et alimentation des volailles [Poultry nutrition and feeding]. INRA Éditions.
  8. McEllhiney, R. R. (Ed.). (1994). Feed manufacturing technology IV. American Feed Industry Association.
  9. Minda Mwilambwe, G. (2026). Conception d'une commande automatique d'un système de production d'aliments pour volaille (poulet de chair, dindon, canard et pigeon) : cas de la province du Lualaba/Kolwezi [Design of an automatic control system for poultry feed production (broiler, turkey, duck and pigeon): The case of Lualaba Province/Kolwezi] [Master's thesis (DEA), Institut Supérieur de Techniques Appliquées].
  10. National Research Council. (1994). Nutrient requirements of poultry (9th rev. ed.). National Academy Press.
  11. Pesti, G. M., & Miller, B. R. (1993). Animal feed formulation: Economic and computer applications. Van Nostrand Reinhold.
  12. Thobe, P. (2025). Chicken meat production in global comparison: Production systems and economics. Research Institute of Agricultural Economics.

Poultry farming in Lualaba Province (DR Congo) relies heavily on feed imported mainly from Zambia, which raises input costs and exposes farmers to supply disruptions. This paper presents the design of an automatic control system, based on a programmable logic controller (PLC) and modelled with GRAFCET, for a poultry feed unit producing 1.2 t batches. The method combines four mathematical models: least-cost formulation by linear programming, cumulative batch weighing with in-flight cut-off compensation, an exponential mixing model based on the coefficient of variation (CV), and electromechanical sizing of the drives.

Keywords : Programmable Logic Controller; GRAFCET; Poultry Feed; Linear Programming; Batch Weighing; Coefficient of Variation; Electrical Sizing; Lualaba.

Paper Submission Last Date
31 - October - 2026

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