Tracking improvements

The Roundtable has undertaken two rounds of benchmarking the routes of manufacture used by its members to prepare APIs. This exercise shows areas where improvements can be made and provides metrics for tracking improvement in the future. In 2009 a Roundtable sub-group started a project to influence solvent manufacturers to produce greener solvents. 

Rating and Tracking. The six individual element scores, in sequence (e.g., 2-2-1-2-3-1 ) will constitute a rating for purposes of tracking improvements in an establishment s safety and health program, and shall be recorded. 

Use metrics to identify resource risks, track improvements, and better understand resource impact. Develop and track key performance indicators. Set meaningful benchmarks. 

Another option for tracking improvements is the use of EcoSeale, whereby reactions are scored on parameters that favour high-yielding, low-cost and... 

IT also comes into play in the use of global positioning systems (GPSs) for tracking realtime location of vehicles and electronic notification of impending arrivals. The availability of current information also allows for real-time dynamic optimization of transportation routes and deliveries. Electronic notifications and tracking improve customer service and preparedness throughout the supply chain. 

The RSIP establishes a comprehensive process for focusing and tracking improvements to the SRS reactors. Newly identified improvements are evaluated initially by the WSRC Issue Management Committee (IMC). When the IMC defines an improvement item as a long-term program or project, the RSIP becomes the focal point for managing the issue from its inception through its closure. 

WSRC uses the RSIP to manage and track improvement items that are safety related, as well as nonsafety related. For each proposed improvement the Strategic Programs Department creates a Project Control Plan (PCP) that summarizes the project scope, priority, budget, schedule, and manpower requirements. The PCP contains the contractor s evaluation of the minimum expenditure of resources and the overall significance of the project. The PCP provides a detailed compilation of information relative to the improvements that technically justifies the improvements. 

A recent design of the maximum bubble pressure instrument for measurement of dynamic surface tension allows resolution in the millisecond time frame [119, 120]. This was accomplished by increasing the system volume relative to that of the bubble and by using electric and acoustic sensors to track the bubble formation frequency. Miller and co-workers also assessed the hydrodynamic effects arising at short bubble formation times with experiments on very viscous liquids [121]. They proposed a correction procedure to improve reliability at short times. This technique is applicable to the study of surfactant and polymer adsorption from solution [101, 120]. 

Some of the early Thiokol soHd mbbers are stiU made and used in printing roUs, solvent-resistant spray hose, gaskets, and gas-meter diaphragms. Many of the polysulfide products have been in use since the 1940s with an exceUent track record. Continuing improvements in technology keep these products competitive. 

The LIMS software is essentially a database for tracking, reporting, and archiving lab data as well as scheduling and guiding lab activities. Graphical and statistical treatment of data for improved process control (qv) as well as preparation of certificates of analysis (COA) for the customer are some of the other features of a comprehensive LIMS package (30). 

A more recent development is the carbottom furnace, which is an above ground rectangular kiln the bottom is mounted on wheels and set on tracks so it is movable. The carbottom is isolated from the heating chamber by a water seal. These furnaces provide improved temperature and pressure control and better uniformity. 

Methanol to Ethylene. Methanol to ethylene economics track the economics of methane to ethylene. Methanol to gasoline has been flilly developed and, during this development, specific catalysts to produce ethylene were discovered. The economics of this process have been discussed, and a catalyst (Ni/SAPO 34) with almost 95% selectivity to ethylene has been claimed (99). Methanol is converted to dimethyl ether, which decomposes to ethylene and water the method of preparation of the catalyst rather than the active ingredient of the catalyst has made the significant improvement in yield (100). By optimizing the catalyst and process conditions, it is claimed that yields of ethylene, propylene, or both are maximized. This is still in the bench-scale stage. 

The use of ABS has in recent years met considerable competition on two fronts, particularly in automotive applications. For lower cost applications, where demands of finish and heat resistance are not too severe, blends of polypropylene and ethylene-propylene rubbers have found application (see Chapters 11 and 31). On the other hand, where enhanced heat resistance and surface hardness are required in conjunction with excellent impact properties, polycarbonate-ABS alloys (see Section 20.8) have found many applications. These materials have also replaced ABS in a number of electrical fittings and housings for business and domestic applications. Where improved heat distortion temperature and good electrical insulation properties (including tracking resistance) are important, then ABS may be replaced by poly(butylene terephthalate). 

To enhance the resistance to heat softening his-phenol A is substituted by a stiffer molecule. Conventional bis-phenol A polycarbonates have lower heat distortion temperatures (deflection temperatures under load) than some of the somewhat newer aromatic thermoplastics described in the next chapter, such as the polysulphones. In 1979 a polycarbonate in which the bis-phenol A was replaced by tetramethylbis-phenol A was test marketed. This material had a Vicat softening point of 196 C, excellent resistance to hydrolysis, excellent resistance to tracking and a low density of about l.lg/cm-. Such improvements were obtained at the expense of impact strength and resistance to stress cracking. 

Carriers and the chemical industry are working together to improve transportation safety. The American Association of Railroads has agreed to designate routes that handle 10,000 loads per year or more of chemicals as Key Routes." Routes designated as Key Routes will receive upgraded track, enhanced equipment to detect flaws in equipment or in trackage, and lower speed limits. 

On April 6, 1994, OSHA published its final revisions to the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) standard in the Federal Register, Vol. 59, No. 66. With the implementation date of July 5, 1994, the regulation, applicable to the general industry, represented major changes in the selection and use of PPE. OSHA believes that through compliance with the PPE standard, safety statistics that track worker safety will improve. These improvements will add up to 712,000 lost workdays and 95,000 recordable cases. 

You should set up a common entry point for such data and put in place an evaluation function to convey appropriate data to the manufacturing, engineering, and design activities. A corrective action form or improvement form could be used to convey the data and obtain a written response of the action to be taken. A log of servicing reports would assist in tracking servicing concerns and demonstrate you were making effective use of the data. 

If we improve process monitoring and data logging, we ll be better equipped to track and predict variances in process operating conditions. 

Measurement must address end-of-pipe performance (through measures such as injury rates and gallons spilled), process efficiency and indicators of performance (through measures such as in service failure of equipment). Using indicators should make it possible to identify problems before they result in poor performance. Process efficiency measurement helps track implementation of the project and continuous improvement in the use of resources. 

Number of independent environmental, safety or health studies conducted on a project, if it is tracked from project to project, can provide an indication of improving efficiency. 

---