Process control timing procedures

Manufacturing, analytical, and quaUty control procedures are thus estabhshed. Specifications for taw and in-process materials, as well as for final products per USP/NF and in-house standards are also determined. Process and formula vaUdation assures that each technological procedure in manufacture accomplishes its purpose most efficiently, eg, blending times for powdered mixtures in tableting, and that each formula ingredient is present in optimal concentrations (12). Thus, it serves to ensure process control (qv), reproducibiUty, and content uniformity. 

The objective ia any analytical procedure is to determine the composition of the sample (speciation) and the amounts of different species present (quantification). Spectroscopic techniques can both identify and quantify ia a single measurement. A wide range of compounds can be detected with high specificity, even ia multicomponent mixtures. Many spectroscopic methods are noninvasive, involving no sample collection, pretreatment, or contamination (see Nondestructive evaluation). Because only optical access to the sample is needed, instmments can be remotely situated for environmental and process monitoring (see Analytical METHODS Process control). Spectroscopy provides rapid real-time results, and is easily adaptable to continuous long-term monitoring. Spectra also carry information on sample conditions such as temperature and pressure. 

As microprocessor-based controls displaced hardwired electronic and pneumatic controls, the impac t on plant safety has definitely been positive. When automated procedures replace manual procedures for routine operations, the probability of human errors leading to hazardous situations is lowered. The enhanced capability for presenting information to the process operators in a timely manner and in the most meaningful form increases the operator s awareness of the current conditions in the process. Process operators are expected to exercise due diligence in the supervision of the process, and timely recognition of an abnormal situation reduces the likelihood that the situation will progress to the hazardous state. Figure 8-88 depicts the layers of safety protection in a typical chemical jdant. 

Besides this quantitative problem (which may seem a luxury problem to many other industries) the very idea of focusing on just the negative outcomes of process control deviations neglects the valuable lessons to be learned on the basis of positive outcomes. Every time an operator, manager, procedure, or piece of equipment behaves in an unexpected way and thereby prevents a likely breakdown of the production system (e.g. as in reduced product quality, environmental releases, etc.) or restores the required levels of safety and reliability, these positive deviations could be detected, reported and analysed in order to improve the qualitative insight into system functioning on the whole. 

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