Every month, Control's editors take a specific product area, collect all the latest, significant tools we can find, and present them here to make your job easier. If you know of any tools and resources we didn't include, send them to [email protected], and we'll add them to the website.
COMBUSTION OPTIMIZATION
ABB
800/829-6001
www.us.abb.com
This 12-page guide provides basic information for optimizing combustion to improve efficiency, lower environmental impact and reduce downtime. It defines combustion as the oxidation of a fuel, mainly hydrocarbons, for the purpose of producing useful heat. It goes on to cover the optimum ratios of air and fuel to maximize efficiency for reduced operating costs and good emissions control. It also covers the role of in-place zirconium oxygen sensors in the furnace and flue, and provides a great deal of application information for interpreting sensor readings. Download a copy at http://tinyurl.com/3hq3jmy.
MOISTURE ANALYSIS
Lanxess
519/337 8251
http://lanxess.ca
While on-line moisture analyzers provide plant operators with moisture level and trending visibility through a distributed control system (DCS), many process engineers and control room plant operators remain skeptical about the accuracy of such data. This is because sample handling systems (SHS) are historically prone to problems that compromise the analyzer's data accuracy. This article outlines the rationale and steps for deploying a modular sample system solution in a moisture-sensitive process from concept through commissioning and operational performance. A direct link is at http://tinyurl.com/3rtc8zq.
PROCESS ANALYTICS AND INTELLIGENCE
Canary Labs
814/793 3770
www.canarylabs.com
Process analytics and intelligence—sometimes called manufacturing intelligence—have transformed the way companies produce goods, understand their manufacturing processes, and ensure a quality product in ways we could not have foreseen 10 years ago. With today's large volumes of data, there's a wealth of information that can be gained about the process. Real-time analytics provides the techniques and solutions that address this problem. This white paper discusses how process analytics is implemented and utilized, and shows ways of managing and distributing process analytics to the organization. A direct link is at http://tinyurl.com/6d7cg7u.
ACCURATE ANALYTICS
Swagelok
www.swagelok.com
This is a three-part series on assuring accuracy in analytical instrumentation. Part 1 discusses time delay. Time delay in sample systems is the most common case of inappropriate results from process analyzers. Besides covering causes of time delay, it provides tools to calculate or approximate a delay. It also provides recommendations for reducing time delay. A direct link is at http://tinyurl.com/5uhzuym. Part 2 discusses calibrating analyzers. It covers how error or contamination can be introduced through calibration; when calibration can—and can't—address a perceived performance issue with the analyzer; how atmospheric pressure or temperature fluctuations can undo the work of calibration; and when and where not to calibrate.
The direct link is at http://tinyurl.com/43ch8zt. Part 3 discusses how to maintain a representative sample. It reviews the major issues leading to an unrepresentative sample, and provides recommendations on how to avoid a compromised sample. It discusses dead legs and dead spaces; component design and placement; adsorption and permeation; internal and external leaks; cross contamination in stream selection; and phase preservation. The direct link is at http://tinyurl.com/5rhtwb2.
PAT FOR PHARMA
Rockwell Automation
414/382-2000
www.rockwellautomation.com
This article takes a detailed look at the business drivers of process analytical technology (PAT), both regulatory and financial, and highlights fundamental steps to successful implementation. The benefits are lower production cycle times, improved manufacturing efficiency, reduced rejects and increased production uptime. The direct link is at http://tinyurl.com/6fmc2t5.
