MEASUREMENT + INSTRUMENTATION
On the path to the process Dr Monika Heisterkamp, Director Marketing, Endress+Hauser Liquid Analysis Dr Andreas Meyer, Business Development Manager, Endress+Hauser Liquid Analysis Process analytics provides information about the composition of substances in media in control processes by using a wide range of physical and chemical principles. It forms the critical basis for process optimisation. Laboratory measurement processes have evolved in the direction of process analysis measurement methods over several decades.The stated goal of this transfer is to develop compact field instruments comparable to conventional field instruments.
Dr Monika Heisterkamp, Endress+Hauser Liquid Analysis.
C onductivity and pH measurements, well established for some time now, have become an indispensable aspect of many plant operations. More technically sophisticated spectroscopic methods still have a long way to go before they reach broader use in process applications. In the highly regarded NAMUR Process Sensors road map, process analytics has an important role. The current Process Sensors 2027+ roadmap is an enhancement of previous technology roadmaps and indicates a promising future for optical processes in particular. The aim of process analytics is to optimise engineering processes, such as quantitative assessment of the reaction progress. Although users are eager to see process analytics deployed more widely, the solutions need to be economically feasible and to justify the costs for procurement, commissioning and maintenance. Compared to conventional field instruments for measuring parameters such as level, flow, pressure, temperature, pH and conductivity, the costs for complex process analytics are much higher. The investment costs for optical spectrometers can quickly add up to several hundred thousand euros, nearly half of which is swallowed up by commissioning and maintenance. Reducing these costs will decrease the economic feasibility threshold, responding to the requirements of the NAMUR roadmap. Optical processes are on the up Given the significant amount of data they contain, optical processes such as infrared, UV/VIS or Raman spectroscopy are attractive technologies for process analytics applications. The relatively new Raman spectroscopy technology has captured an increasing percentage of the market over recent years. And for good reason: compared to near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, the Raman technique delivers significantly more – and more specific – information. However, one particular challenge in analysing the spectra is calibration. Simple process sensors are calibrated to traceable standards. The difficulty arises when the measurements are application-specific and the concentration of a specific substance in a medium depends on numerous measurement parameters, such as from a spectrum. In this
case, a so-called multivariate calibration is required, in which regression or chemo-metric models based on numerous measurements have to be created and regularly verified. Ideally, these models can be pre-built for similar applications and adapted to real applications with just a few measurements.
Dr Andreas Meyer, Endress+Hauser Liquid Analysis.
The evolution to field instruments The extensive selection of measurement
processes makes it possible to manage a wide range of analysis tasks in the lab. Flexibility and a higher degree of automation are the key to being able to carry out compara- ble measurement tasks efficiently and process samples in
The Memosens Wave CKI50 and Liquiline CM44P transmitter enable robust inline colour measurements and the combination of all relevant parameters for respective applications.
The Memosens Wave CAS80E and Liquiline CM44 transmitter supply the relevant measurement values in real-time, enabling seamless analysis of potable and surface water quality.
MARCH 2022 Electricity + Control
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