Abstract: Devices, methods, and systems are described for administration to at least one biological tissue of at least one device including at least one altered microorganism. In an embodiment, the altered microorganism includes at least one nucleic acid construct encoding at least one therapeutic agent.

Abstract: Control system of an electronic instrument for metrological measurements, comprising an electronic local processing unit including a handling application of said instrument. The system includes a control application for said handling application, which can be associated with said local processing unit, said control application being suitable for generating a univocal certification code for the application.

Abstract: A clinical laboratory apparatus includes a plurality of reaction cuvettes, a first dispenser, a second dispenser, a controller, and an analyzer. A subject sample and a reagent are mixed in each of the plurality of reaction cuvettes. The first dispenser is configured to dispense the subject sample into each of the plurality of reaction cuvettes. The second dispenser is configured to dispense the reagent into each of the plurality of reaction cuvettes so that the subject sample and the reagent are mixed. The controller is configured to categorize the plurality of reaction cuvettes into at least first and second groups, to designate at least first and second analysis items among two or more analysis items with respect to the subject sample, to control the second dispenser to avoid dispensing the reagent relevant to the first analysis item into the second group of the reaction cuvettes. The analyzer is configured to analyze a mixed result.

Abstract: Methods and systems for creating dynamic performance measures (DPMs) for an IBA manufacturing process. Included is a method for monitoring an Isobutyl Alcohol (IBA) recovery system that includes computing at least one of an amount of IBA recovered from the IBA recovery system and an amount of waste material produced from the IBA recovery system, and displaying at least one of the recovered IBA and the waste material produced based on time. The method also includes computing a cost saved based on a cost of virgin IBA and the amount of IBA recovered. Computing an amount of waste material includes measuring waste material flow, and computing a cost of waste material management based on the measured waste material flow and a cost per unit volume to dispose of waste material. The IBA recovery system can include an evaporation IBA recovery system and/or a distillation IBA recovery system.

Abstract: A demand initiated method for regenerating a water softener which operates the softener ion exchange bed over a capacity range in which the resin is most efficiently restored by exposure to brine. The reserve capacity of the softener is adjusted in response to the amount of softening capacity used since the last regeneration, as is the quantity of saturated brine to be used for the next regeneration, which is scheduled when the reserve capacity is exceeded, or the remaining available capacity will not be adequate for expected usage on the next day of the week. The method schedules a regeneration when the amount of exchange capacity of the resin bed used since the last regeneration plus the variation of exchange capacity used on the next day plus the average exchange capacity of the resin bed used on the next day is greater than the selected design exchange capacity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of creating a real-time oxidation-reduction potential signature in a hot water system to detect REDOX stress and inhibit corrosion in the hot water system. The method includes defining one or more operational protective zones in the hot water system. One or more of the operational protective zones includes an oxidation-reduction potential probe that is operable to measure a real-time oxidation-reduction potential in the hot water system at operating temperature and pressure. The probe transmits the measured real-time potential to the controller, which analyzes and interprets the transmitted potential to create an oxidation-reduction potential signature for the hot water system. If the signature does not conform to an oxidation-reduction potential setting, the controller is operable to feed one or more active chemical species into the hot water system.

Abstract: The clinical specimen processing apparatus is provided with a discharge pipette and supply pipette for staining in conjunction a blood smear sample preparation operation, a top sensor for detecting whether or not the operations of raising the discharge pipette and supply pipette are performed normally, and a controller for re-executing the operations of raising the discharge pipette and supply pipette based on the top sensor detecting that the operations of raising the discharge pipette and supply pipette are not performed normally.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of controlling carbonate/bicarbonate concentrations and ratio in a chemical process having the steps of flowing a carbonate/bicarbonate solution through a measurement cell (202), exposing the solution to laser light of suitable wavelength and power (204); measuring the intensity of the scattered light using Raman spectroscopy (206); calculating the concentration of carbonate and bicarbonate from the intensity of the scattered light (208); and sending the measurement results to a programmable logic controller (210) to be used to control the ratio of carbonate and bicarbonate in the solution through adjusting process parameters. The method is useful in both carbon dioxide absorption processes and carbonate/bicarbonate regeneration processes.

Abstract: At least one model is associated with one or more manipulated variables and one or more controlled variables, which are associated with a cascade liquefied natural gas facility. Adjustments to the one or more manipulated variables are made using the at least one model to maintain the one or more controlled variables within defined limits. For example, a controlled variable may identify an overall load placed on multiple refrigeration systems in the facility. The one or more manipulated variables may be adjusted to increase the overall load placed on the refrigeration systems. The overall load can be determined by identifying a maximum of: a projected feed gas rate to operate a propane refrigeration system at maximum load, a projected feed gas rate to operate an ethylene or ethane refrigeration system at maximum load, and a projected feed gas rate to operate a methane refrigeration system at maximum load.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring and controlling microbiological activity in a process stream by measuring dissolved oxygen is disclosed.

Abstract: A droplet actuator with cartridge is provided. According to one embodiment, a sample analyzer is provided and includes an analyzer unit comprising electronic or optical receiving means, a cartridge comprising self-contained droplet handling capabilities, and a wherein the cartridge is coupled to the analyzer unit by a means which aligns electronic and/or optical outputs from the cartridge with electronic or optical receiving means on the analyzer unit. According to another embodiment, a sample analyzer is provided and includes a sample analyzer comprising a cartridge coupled thereto and a means of electrical interface and/or optical interface between the cartridge and the analyzer, whereby electrical signals and/or optical signals may be transmitted from the cartridge to the analyzer.

Abstract: A method of modeling phase characteristics of thermodynamic systems utilizing pseudo-properties strategy and a reduced number of variables is disclosed herein. The method describes a means of determining the probability of phase splitting of mixtures of materials at a given temperature, pressure, and composition by characterizing the functions that describe the system via pseudo-properties, and also by describing the system in n?1 or fewer variables, where n represents the number of components in the system of interest. In an embodiment, a multi-component system is characterized in one variable, thereby providing simplified thermodynamic models in a time-efficient manner. In addition, the information generated by this reduced-variable calculation can further be used as a starting point for calculations of equations of state.

Abstract: A system and method that uses electrical conductivity measurements to identify the impurities in a solution, as well as the concentrations of such impurities. The conductance versus temperature curve for any particular ion is unique to that ion and the conductance versus temperature curve for a solution is unique to the ions in the solution and their concentrations. Equations can be used to describe the conductivity versus temperature curve containing specific ions at set concentrations. To that end, the present invention measures the conductivity of a solution over some specified temperature range, calculates a conductivity-temperature curve from a library of ions to match the measured conductivity, and uses a mathematical process to vary the ions and their concentrations in the calculated curve to make it match the measured curve as closely as possible.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gas generator that may be used for startup and shutdown of a fuel cell. In one non-limiting embodiment, the gas generator may include a nitrogen generator structured to receive air, extract oxygen (O2) from the air and discharge the balance in the form of a nitrogen-rich gas; a merging chamber structured to receive a hydrocarbon fuel and the nitrogen-rich gas and to discharge a feed mixture containing both the hydrocarbon fuel and the nitrogen-rich gas; and a catalytic reactor structured to receive the feed mixture and to catalytically convert the feed mixture into a reducing gas.

Abstract: A bioreactor monitoring and/or control system utilizing only non-dedicated user input and information display devices, a digital controller and software, said system comprising: i) at least one diagnostic probe for measuring operating conditions in a bioreactor; ii) signal conditioning and communication electronics which supply operating current and/or voltage to said probe and which convert the diagnostic signal into a format accessible by iii) a digital controller which directly receives the format converted signal and transmits it to iv) software which enables the display device to show the converted signal, and also to instruct the controller to implement changes in the operating conditions in the reactor, and v) a software-based virtual transmitter which substantially replicates the keyboard, display, menu-tree and response of a physical sensor transmitter.

Abstract: Computer instructions in communication with at least one processor having data storage. The processor is in communication with a hydrogen generation network. The computer instructions instruct the processor to form a dynamic information database in the data storage, receive and store at least one hydrogen generating device identification and/or discretionary power consumption information, and receive and store dispatchable power source information and/or non-dispatchable power source information. The computer instructions instruct the processor to receive at least one message input using an administrator interface and transmit the message to the hydrogen generation network. The computer instructions instruct the processor to receive at least one response from the hydrogen generation network for regulating hydrogen production and store the response in the dynamic information database.

Abstract: A graphical user interface, implemented in a standard system management environment, accepts selections of logical instruction steps that are external to the standard system management environment. The logical instruction steps may include process steps, specify chemical formulae, or identify other components of master recipes that control drug manufacture or dispensing, as examples. The external logical instruction steps are introduced into the standard system management environment and approved. The standard system management environment subsequently controls the drug manufacturing or dispensing processes according to the external logical instruction steps.

Abstract: A reagent cassette used in an automatic analyzer for a clinical examination room, which provides an analysis environment enabling an operator to select reagent bottles with proper capacities depending on the number of tests to be performed in each different type of facility and to properly set reagents with ease. In the automatic analyzer comprising a sample pipetting section, a reagent pipetting section, a reaction cuvette, etc., one component in a sample is analyzed by using the reagent cassette in which one or a plurality of reagent bottles containing two or more types of reagents are combined together. The reagent cassette is provided with a reagent identifier including information regarding the presence or absence of a reagent opening of the reagent bottle for each of a plurality of positions of the openings.

Abstract: A statistical process control system employs a consistent soot blowing operation for a heat exchange section of, for example, a fuel burning boiler, collects heat absorption data for the heat exchange section and analyzes the distribution of the heat absorption data as well as various parameters of the heat absorption distribution to readjust the soot blowing operation. The statistical process control system may set a desired lower heat absorption limit and a desired upper heat absorption limit and compare them, respectively, with an actual lower heat absorption limit and an actual upper heat absorption limit to determine the readjustment to be made to the soot blowing operation. Alternatively, the statistical process control system may be used to determine permanent slagging of the heat exchange section.

Abstract: Method of controlling production of a plant incorporating one or more chemical processes in which products are produced through consumption of raw materials. In accordance with the method, current production rates of the products are computed by semi-empirical process models that are corrected through error corrections of actual production rates to produce corrected models. The production is then optimized using the corrected models to maximize the variable margin gained upon the sale of the products. The optimization yields targets that either directly or at least influence consumption of the raw materials. The raw materials are then introduced into the process or processes in accordance with the targets.

Abstract: A generalized printhead control model is provided herein as a basis for configuring printhead control software that will operate any selected printhead or group of printheads. The subject model covers a hierarchy of classes for the attributes of software that controls the printheads in a system, such as for producing a biopolymer array.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for the parallel study of chemical reactions in at least two spatially separated reaction spaces. In particular, the invention is suitable for reactions which are not constant volume reactions and/or for reactions in which fluid flows through at least two spatially separated reaction spaces are intended to be controlled together for all the reaction spaces, or for related subsets of them, in the most straightforward way possible.

Abstract: The control systems and technique can regulate or control operations of a water treatment system in a primary control mode and, when appropriate, in a secondary or an alternate control mode. The primary control can represent a normal control mode during which the water treatment system is intended to operate. The alternate control mode can represent a second control or mode of operation. The systems can be operated to control or facilitate regulation, monitoring, and performance of one or more operating parameters of one or more water systems between, or to and from, a first mode, a second or alternate mode, and, in some cases, a third or even a fourth control mode. The change in control mode can be triggered by identifying one or more predetermined, pre-selected, and/or programmed conditions.

Abstract: A virtual analyzer is provided to estimate either an attribute of a reactant applied during performance of, or an amount of a reactant exhausted by, a process having multiple process parameters (MPPs) that is performed to control an amount of a pollutant emitted into the air. The virtual analyzer includes an interface which receives signals corresponding to attributes of the MPPs. If the process is a wet flue gas desulfurization (WFGD) process, the signals include a signal corresponding to a measured pH level of the applied reactant. If the process is a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) process, the signals include a signal corresponding to a measured amount of the reactant exhausted by the process.

Abstract: A hydrogen generating apparatus (10) of the present invention includes a desulfurizer (7) which is supplied with a raw material and which is configured to remove sulfur compounds present in the raw material, a reformer (17) which is configured to form a hydrogen containing gas from the raw material which has passed through the desulfurizer (7), a meter device (3) which is configured to measure the amount of sulfur compounds removed by the desulfurizer (7) (which amount is hereinafter referred to as the amount of removal of sulfur compounds), and a controller (40), wherein the controller (40) is configured so as not to permit the next time start-up if the integrated value of the amount of removal of sulfur compounds measured by the meter device (3) becomes greater than or equal to a first threshold value.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a probe portion and a holster portion that may be coupled together. The probe portion includes a rotatable tissue sample holder that is configured to hold tissue samples. One or more portions of the tissue sample holder may be formed of a transparent or translucent material, e.g., a translucent manifold and shaft, transparent or translucent tissue sample trays, and a transparent cup that is external to the manifold and trays. The holster portion may include one or more sources of light, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs). The LEDs may be configured to illuminate at least a portion of the tissue sample holder, such as to facilitate viewing of tissue samples in the tissue sample holder. For instance, one LED may be aligned with the shaft of the tissue sample holder, while two additional LEDs may be positioned on both sides of the shaft.

Abstract: A device for pretreating an exterior surface of an aircraft coated with an aircraft-specific base material so as to prepare the surface for a final painting with aircraft paint includes a pretreating tool. The pretreating tool has a laser head configured to activate the aircraft-specific base material using a laser. The device also includes a support construction including a robot device and a control unit configured to control and move the laser head over the surface using the robot device.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for designing, operating, monitoring and/or diagnosing a chemical reaction, particularly a hydrotreating process, using a fixed bed catalytic reactor.

Abstract: A batch processing method for forming a structure including an amorphous carbon film includes performing a preliminary treatment of removing water from a surface of the underlying layer by heating the inside of the reaction chamber at a preliminary treatment temperature of 800 to 950° C. and supplying a preliminary treatment gas selected from the group consisting of nitrogen gas and ammonia gas into the reaction chamber while exhausting gas from inside the reaction chamber; and, then performing main CVD of forming an amorphous carbon film on the underlying layer by heating the inside of the reaction chamber at a main process temperature and supplying a hydrocarbon gas into the reaction chamber while exhausting gas from inside the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A processing apparatus includes counters each used to measure the length of RF discharge time over which power is applied to a consumable component in correspondence to a specific type of processing executed in a processing chamber, a storage to store wear coefficient information indicating wear coefficients each corresponding to one of the plurality of types of processing, and a control unit that obtains information indicating RF discharge time lengths measured by the counters in correspondence to the individual types of processing, obtains the wear coefficients corresponding to the individual types of processing indicated in the wear coefficient information stored in the storage, calculates a wear index value for the consumable component based upon the RF discharge time lengths and the wear coefficients corresponding to the individual types of processing, and executes consumable component management processing based upon the calculated wear index value.

Abstract: A recording medium includes a sensor circuit unit generating a current in accordance with a blood glucose level in blood, and a control unit calculating blood glucose level data from the data obtained by digital conversion of the generated current at signal processing unit, writing the calculated data to an EEPROM as a memory unit, reading the blood glucose level data from EEPROM and transmitting the same to a portable terminal on which recording medium is mounted, through a communication control unit. The recording medium further includes a power supply control unit receiving power from the portable terminal on which the recording medium is mounted, and supplying power to various portions in the recording medium.

Abstract: A storage unit for biological samples has a horizontal footprint and multiple storage compartments separated by intermediate walls and enclosed by a peripheral frame. The storage compartments have first and second openings and are tailored to the shape of a biopsy cassette or a glass slide and have a retention mechanism preventing the essentially vertical cassettes or slides in the storage compartments through the first opening and/or the second opening from falling out through the first opening and/or the second opening. A transfer system allows at least two storage units or at least one storage unit and one collection unit to be situated one above the other in register and displaced in relation to one another. The transfer system has a manipulator by which a biopsy cassette or a glass slide may be pushed from one storage unit to another, or into the collection unit.

Abstract: Systems for controlling a droplet microactuator are provided. According to one embodiment, a system is provided and includes a controller, a droplet microactuator electronically coupled to the controller, and a display device displaying a user interface electronically coupled to the controller, wherein the system is programmed and configured to permit a user to effect a droplet manipulation by interacting with the user interface. According to another embodiment, a system is provided and includes a processor, a display device electronically coupled to the processor, and software loaded and/or stored in a storage device electronically coupled to the controller, a memory device electronically coupled to the controller, and/or the controller and programmed to display an interactive map of a droplet microactuator.

Abstract: A production process such as an isocyanate production process, conducted with a production facility having (a) at least two incoming streams, b) at least one exit stream and c) at least one inner recycling stream is controlled by adjusting at least one incoming stream amount by means of regulating controls to control the exit stream concentration and/or amount.

Abstract: A system and method for formulating a chemical solution using both volumetric and weight based measurements of components of the chemical solution is disclosed. The components of the chemical solution include water and at least one other component, which may take any form, such as, without limitation, liquid, solid, powder or gaseous form. Formulation of the chemical solution is administered by combining water with the one or more other components at an output port, from which this combination is dispensed to a solution storage tank. In response to a user's request to formulate a specified amount of the chemical solution, the volume of water provided to the output port is monitored by a flow meter and the weight of the other component(s) provided to the output port is monitored by one or more load cells. Based on such monitoring, appropriate amounts of water and the other component(s) are combined together to formulate the specified amount of the chemical solution in the solution storage tank.

Abstract: Manufacturing execution systems relating to methods, systems, and software program for validation of pharmaceutical manufacturing processes and quality assurance process are described and disclosed herein. Consequently, the methods provide a means to perform validation on an integrated level whereby the quality control unit can ensure data and product integrity and minimize cost.

Abstract: The control device according to the present invention includes an input device for entering measured data from a measurement unit, which measures nutrient components, the concentrations of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and biomass in a culture medium; a processor for calculating nutrient components uptake rate, oxygen uptake rate and carbon dioxide exhaust rate per unit amount of biomass from the measured data entered in the aforementioned input device, as well as volumetric mass transfer coefficient kLa from turbulent energy k and a turbulent energy dissipation rate e, both of which are calculated by a transport equation, as well as a diffusion coefficient D, followed by calculating the concentrations of the nutrient components, dissolved oxygen and dissolved carbon dioxide in any area in the fermenter; and a display for displaying concentration distribution of the nutrient components, dissolved oxygen, and dissolved carbon dioxide in the fermenter.

Abstract: Disclosed is a processing apparatus to restrain load of a common usage system shared by a plurality of liquid processing modules. A processing module group includes k sets of share groups comprising a plurality of processing modules to perform an identical processing for each substrate (where, k?2), each set of share groups includes n processing modules (where, n?2), and each processing module includes the common usage system shared by n processing modules in each set and having a maximum capacity capable of processing m processing modules (where m?n). A carrying mechanism repeatedly loads a substrate one by one to the processing module of each set in sequence.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for handling liquid and a method for the same. The system includes a container capable of holding a liquid. An electronic storage device is coupled with the container for electronically storing information relating to the liquid stored in the container. The system can be configured with an antenna, for storing information to and reading information from the electronic storage device. A microprocessor-based controller, coupled with the antenna, may be employed for controlling processing of the liquid based on information read from the electronic storage device by the antenna.

Abstract: A system, a device and a method for maintaining water quality in a pool or similar water container for use by people which is characterized in that a pressure sensor is arranged to sense the pressure variations inside a main water container 1 and to provide a pressure variation signal to a control and processing unit 3. The control and processing unit is connected with a dispensing module and is adapted to generate and transfer control signals to said dispensing modules. The control signal depends on the detected pressure variation signal. The system for water treatment comprises also a water treatment circulation loop 3A-D at least one controllable chemical dispensing module 8A-D, 9A-D. The circulation loop is adapted to pump water from the main water container 1, around the circulation loop 3A-D, and back into the main water container 1 via the dispensing module for dispensing a chemical treatment agent.

Abstract: A nanovolume microcapillary crystallization system allows nanoliter-volume screening of crystallization conditions in a crystal card that allows crystals to either be removed for traditional cryoprotection or in situ X-ray diffraction studies on protein crystals that grow within. The system integrates formulation of crystallization cocktails with preparation of the crystallization experiments. The system allows the researcher to select either gradient screening in crystallization experiments for efficient exploration of crystallization phase space or a combination of sparse matrix with gradient screening to execute one comprehensive hybrid crystallization trial.

Abstract: A system for monitoring an industrial production process includes one or more sensors configured to facilitate generating process data and a processor configured to calculate a value of a monitoring variable using the process data. The monitoring variable is optimized with respect to an abnormal space of a process space. The process space includes process parameters and principle components of a multivariate model of the process. The abnormal space includes a subspace of the process space.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring the operation of an ozone-oxygen conversion means, especially for monitoring of the installation site of a heat exchanger and/or a temperature sensor (DOR sensor) of an ozone-oxygen conversion means, especially for vehicles, the ozone-oxygen conversion means having at least one catalytically coated heat exchanger through or around which air flows and through which a heat exchange medium flows, with at least one temperature sensor (DOR sensor) located on or in the heat exchanger for detecting the heat exchanger temperature, especially for detecting the surface temperature of the heat exchanger, for a defined time interval the temperature characteristics (tka, tprem) at the heat exchanger outlet and on the DOR sensor being determined and thus set into a relation to one another and/or to given comparison quantities and/or values such that evaluation of the operation of the ozone-oxygen conversion means and/or of the installation site of the catalytically coated he

Abstract: The database is populated with target chemicals, corresponding listings of reagent chemicals, corresponding listings of equipment and corresponding listings of procedures. The database is then searched in response to user identification of a target chemical. In response, a listing is displayed of reagent chemicals that are used to synthesize the target chemical, equipment that is used to synthesize the target chemical, and a procedure that is used to synthesize the target chemical by reacting the reagent chemicals in the equipment according to the procedure. An icon-based reaction editor and/or context-sensitive Boolean query option generators may be provided. A reaction template may be used to perform predictive chemistry. A reaction relay may be used to graphically display related chemicals and procedures using a hub and spoke arrangement.

Abstract: A generic device controller unit system (10) includes a generic “true real time” peripheral device controller and a data and protocol communications interface that uses a common set of instructions from a meta-message set. The system (10) is generic, in that the system (10) is capable of connecting a processor (40) to any number of various peripheral devices (50), instead of being designed to interconnect a processor (40) only to a specific peripheral device (50). The system (10) interfaces between a standard non-true real time operating system and peripheral devices (50) in such a manner as to employ true real time peripheral device control using the meta-message set. The device controller of the system (10) allows a standard non-true real time operating system to send instructions from the meta-message set to implement true real time control of peripheral devices (50).

Abstract: A base sequence detection apparatus is provided with a channel formed on a base sequence detection chip. Working electrodes are formed along the channel and include a probe immobilized thereon, counter electrodes are formed on the inner surface of the channel and, reference electrodes are formed on the inner surface of the channel. An introduction port introduces solution or air from the upstream side of the channel, a delivery port delivers the solution or air in the channel, and the sample is injected into the channel through a sample injection port.

Abstract: A secure reader system (SRS) for containers housing material to be employed in an application. A container is provided having an information storing mechanism. A connector of the SRS having a reader is provided to physically couple to the container for periodically reading information there from. The connector is configured to physically couple to the container and may draw material from the container simultaneous with the reading.

Abstract: The present invention provides, in a first aspect, a method, system, and program product for controlling chemical reactions in a digital microfluidic system that include logically partitioning cells of a digital microfluidic system array into a plurality of virtual components wherein at least one of the virtual components is capable of handling droplets of reactants associated with distinct chemical reactions concurrently. In a second aspect, a respective next cell is determined for each of a plurality of chemical droplets in the digital microfluidic system array, which may include droplets of reactants associated with distinct chemical reactions. In another aspect, a method, system, and program product for controlling chemical reactions in a digital microfluidic system in accordance with the present invention induce a chemical droplet of the plurality of chemical droplets in the digital microfluidic system array to move to the respective next cell determined for the chemical droplet.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a system and method that intensely oxidizes water as it navigates through a system and accurately, controllably neutralizes the oxidation by-products before the water exits the system.

Abstract: The soil improvement agent supply apparatus, includes a storage tank for storing the soil improvement agent, a feeder for adding the soil improvement agent in the storage tank to the soil, an arch breaker for stirring the soil improvement agent in the storage tank, a load detector for detecting the drive load on the feeder, a memory unit for storing the relationship between the drive load on the feeder and the drive speed of the arch breaker, and a computing unit for controlling the drive speed of the arch breaker in accordance with a signal from the load detector and information stored in the memory unit. The soil improvement agent supply apparatus increases a speed command value for the arch breaker when the drive load on the feeder decreases, and decreases the speed command value for the arch breaker when the drive load on the feeder increases.