Friday, 18. June 2004

Baychromat® for Online Analysis Optimizes Automated Process Control

Online analyzer systems become more and more important in the process world. New technologies enable measurements that in the past could only be realized under extraordinary technical complexity or were impossible. The provision of ongoing, direct acquisition of key data like for example the chemical composition for the process or the process development is the main focus. Intelligent process analyzer systems are capable to analyze chemical compositions. Chromatographic systems for example can detect traces in the ppm range along with the main components. Being integrated in automated process control  this leads to crucial improvements for example in product purity levels. Analysis of this type requires equipment and systems that are able to provide accurate, current data about the target parameters with relatively little effort. The Baychromat® process analysis system can even cope automatically with difficult gas chromatography and liquid chromatography applications. All steps needed to prepare the process assay can quickly be carried out online via the integrated automated assay preparation. The Baychromat® ensures fast, dependable and reproducible execution of all assay preparation steps including dilution, derivatization, setting the pH value, addition of an internal standard, reprecipitation, etc. The system covers the complete range of gas and liquid chromatography applications, including full coverage of gel permeation chromatography. This device has already been used to analyze molecular masses at polycarbonate plants around the world. The system can also be used to analyze the mole mass distribution of various types of rubbers. It has been used successfully for isomer analysis on orhto, meta and parasubstituted chloroaromatics.

Up to now in process HPLC only costly insular solutions had been realized and even gas chromatography reached its limits when the assay had to be deluted, extracted or derivatized prior to injection. Now Baychromat® fills the gap. More over many online analysis projects combined with automated process control pay for themselves within a year or sometimes even within a few month.

Process Interface

The interface to the process plays a crucial role when it comes to monitor and control a process the best way possible. Therefore the Baychromat®  is equipped with an industrial interface to all standard control systems which is suitable for process applications. Analyzer Result Transfer Software ARTS establishes a link between the analysis system and the control system. It transfers analysis results and status signals in a suitable way, information can be exchanged in both ways.

Not matter which system is going to be installed, a detailed analysis should always be performed up front. Therefore BTS supplies not only online process analyzer technology and its initial operation but in addition can conduct feasibility studies. The range of BTS services also includes application development to suit any particular analytical task. All devices can be tested for a trial period an they can be leased following a successful test phase. This allows the process analyzer technology team to build up a valuable experience base. Support is currently provided for more than 10,000 monitoring points worldwide.