Process monitoring permanent installations

One of the major practical problems to the installation of HPLC as a permanent process monitor is the need to replace solvent. A large solvent reservoir may present problems both in terms of size and safety. One solution is the use of packed capillary columns, which consume much less solvent than conventional columns, as the comparison (at constant linear velocity) in Table 1 shows. 

Finally, process analytics methods can be used in commercial manufacturing, either as temporary methods for gaining process information or troubleshooting, or as permanent installations for process monitoring and control. The scope of these applications is often more narrowly defined than those in development scenarios. It will be most relevant for manufacturing operations to maintain process robustness and/or reduce variability. Whereas the scientific scope is typically much more limited in permanent installations in production, the practical implementation aspects are typically much more complex than in an R D environment. The elements of safety, convenience, reliability, validation and maintenance are of equal importance for the success of the application in a permanent installation. Some typical attributes of process analytics applications and how they are applied differently in R D and manufacturing are listed in Table 2.1. 

Waterside problems that lead to decreases in efficiency and material deterioration can be caused by a variety of mechanisms, such as electrochemical corrosion and deposition of foulants. These problems can be exacerbated by low flow, poor operational practice, process contamination, or specific stresses. It is also important to try to determine cause and effect relationships in order to provide a logical and practical water treatment solution. Such a solution will usually involve some form of cleaning, plus a combined engineering and chemical action plan. Inspection may be made easier by the use of a Boroscope or similar optical/video recording device. The color, texture, and quantity of all deposits should be noted, measurements of pits taken, and microbiological contaminants analyzed. It may be useful to conduct biocide efficiency tests on bacterial slimes. The period when a heat exchanger is open for inspection may be an opportune time for the permanent installation of ports for corrosion-monitoring probes. 

Process MS is a reliable technique that can provide rapid and precise multicomponent analysis on process streams. The ability to monitor multiple sample points with a single analyzer makes MS very economical for many applications, even with the high cost of the analyzer itself Maintenance requirements on modern MS analyzers are on a par with or lower than most other analyzer technologies. In addition to permanent installations for routine process control, these attributes also make process mass spectrometry extremely useful for process development and troubleshooting. 

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