Plant performance, analysis interpretation

Historical Definition Plant-performance analysis has been defined as the reconcihation, rec tification, and interpretation of plant... 

Measurement Selection The identification of which measurements to make is an often overlooked aspect of plant-performance analysis. The end use of the data interpretation must be understood (i.e., the purpose for which the data, the parameters, or the resultant model will be used). For example, building a mathematical model of the process to explore other regions of operation is an end use. Another is to use the data to troubleshoot an operating problem. The level of data accuracy, the amount of data, and the sophistication of the interpretation depends upon the accuracy with which the result of the analysis needs to oe known. Daily measurements to a great extent and special plant measurements to a lesser extent are rarelv planned with the end use in mind. The result is typically too little data of too low accuracy or an inordinate amount with the resultant misuse in resources. 

This is a formidable analysis problem. The number and impact of uncertainties makes normal plant-performance analysis difficult. Despite their limitations, however, the measurements must be used to understand the internal process. The measurements have limited quality, and they are sparse, suboptimal, and biased. The statistical distributions are unknown. Treatment methods may add bias to the conclusions. The result is the potential for many interpretations to describe the measurements equally well. 

The microactivity test (MAT) based on the ASTM-D-3907 [11] standard was used to determine activity and product selectivity of catalysts. MAT runs were performed in a X)Uel automated equipment with 4.0 g of catalyst using the same VGO as in the pilot plant runs. Unless otherwise specified catalyst samples were previously calcined at 853 K for three hours. Operating conditions were 793 K, CTO ratio of 4, 75 s injection time and WHSV of 15.7 h. Product analysis and conversion and selectivity calculations were done as in the pilot plant. The relative error of data was 5%. We analyzed coke bum products in-situ by IR analysis using an HORIBA VIA-510 analyzer. Product distribution was expressed in terms of produet yield/ activity ratio as defined in Table 2 as currently used for interpreting MAT numbers in equilibrium catalysts. 

R D activities include physical and chemical analysis of the substance and experimentation, as well as research on the substance s production and performance characteristics. The statute says that R D includes research on another substance, and the EPA has interpreted this to mean that the R D substance may be used as a reagent, a standard or an intermediate. Production testing and pilot plant development as well as efficacy and performance testing are also R D activities. ... 

In parallel the chemical analysis of the water from the sites of C. demersum growth was made to ensure the proper interpretation of the element composition and IR spectra of the aquatic plants from industrial regions. Chemical analysis was performed with the aid of a spectrofluorimeter Fluorat-02-Panorama and capillar electrophoresis system Kapel-105 (Lumex). Determination of the contents of inorganic anions, surfactants, petroleum products, and phenols in water was made in accordance with standard methods described in [11-14]. 

For interpretation and extrapolation of the experimental results the central role of a computer code as vital analytical tool has been emphasized. In Ref. 7 an attempt is made to identify areas of particular interest. For these great care should be exercised, when scaled experimental results are interpreted and extrapolated with the aid of dimensional analysis of a fypical set of conservation equations normally used in the lumped parameter codes. Two basic assumptions have been made in the course of the dimensional analysis. These are the geometrical similarity of the test fecilify and the prototype plant and performing the experiments with the same fluid compon ts, which are expected to dominate within the containment atmosphere of the prototype plant. Both of the two basic assumptions are valid in the VICTORIA test fecilify. 

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