Friday, 18. June 2004

SpectroBAY® for NIR Analysis

Near-infrared spectroscopy plays an important role in online analysis technology. For NIR-analysis Bayer Technology Services has developed SpectroBAY^®. It integrates the well-tried MATRIX-F^® Spectrometer from Bruker Optik with the complete processor and control unit including software and connection to the fiber optics. The case has room for an uninterruptible power supply unit as well as documentation, media and many consumables and spares. Near-infrared spectroscopy is a well-established technology for analyzing multi-component systems in chemical and technical processes. NIR technology has decisive advantages compared to other methods of analysis. In combination with fibre optics it can be used in inline process monitoring applications to perform fast and accurate analysis of concentrations. Furthermore it eliminates assay preparation steps as well as the generation of waste materials and it avoids waste disposal problems. Spectroscopic techniques are useful when they are integrated into a process control system, for example to control distillation columns or to optimize the operation of continuous or batch systems.

Realized Applications

Bayer Technology Services has already implemented a large number of process applications using SpectroBAY^®:

• Online determination of chemical composition in liquid organic solutions at more than 150 measuring points
• Quality monitoring of polymer melts up to 300 °C and 200 bar
• Determination of components in aqueous systems (e.g. acids and wastewater)
• Analytics for complete plant networks (raw materials, reaction steps and downstream processing)
• Online reaction monitoring in batch and continuous polymerization processes
• Sample-free measurement in toxic, corrosive and explosive media

The system is provided with an industrial interface to all standard control systems, that is suitable for process applications. The link between the analyzer and control system is established by Analyzer Result Transfer Software (ARTS). It transfers analysis results and status signals in a suitable format and information can be exchanged in both directions.

Bayer Technology Services offers besides process analyzer systems and its installation feasibility studies as well as application development. All devices can be rented for trial or be leased.