As a chemical engineering professional, you need to use analytical tools to monitor, optimize, and troubleshoot your processes. But how do you choose the best ones for your work? In this article, you will learn about some key factors to consider when selecting analytical tools for process control systems.
The first factor to consider is what process variables you need to measure and control. Process variables are the physical or chemical properties of your system, such as temperature, pressure, flow, composition, pH, and so on. Depending on your process, you may need to measure and control one or more of these variables to ensure product quality, safety, and efficiency. You should choose analytical tools that can accurately and reliably measure and control the process variables that are most relevant and critical for your system.
Level measurement is also one of the important process variable. Level control also play important role in process industries. There are multiple fire instances are there due to negligence and level control failures.
The second factor to consider is how you will collect and analyze samples from your process. Sampling methods are the techniques and devices that you use to obtain and prepare samples for analysis. Depending on your process, you may need to use different sampling methods, such as grab sampling, online sampling, or in situ sampling. You should choose analytical tools that are compatible and integrated with your sampling methods, and that can handle the sample size, frequency, and matrix that you require.
Gas bags and gas bombs are regularly using in sampling the samples from the unit. During sampling following SOP is very important.
The third factor to consider is what analytical techniques you will use to perform the analysis. Analytical techniques are the methods and instruments that you use to determine the concentration, composition, or structure of your samples. Depending on your process, you may need to use different analytical techniques, such as chromatography, spectroscopy, titration, or mass spectrometry. You should choose analytical tools that can provide the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and precision that you need for your analysis.
Range and type of the sample also very important in analytical technique. Some times sample in liquid phase, solid phase, gas phase. Analytical technique need to be choose according to the sample type. Some times different Range need different analytical techniques.
The fourth factor to consider is how you will manage and use the data from your analysis. Data management is the process of storing, processing, and communicating the data from your analytical tools to your process control system. Depending on your process, you may need to use different data management strategies, such as data logging, data validation, data visualization, or data integration. You should choose analytical tools that can generate and transmit the data in a format and frequency that is suitable for your process control system.
The fifth factor to consider is how you will maintain and calibrate your analytical tools. Maintenance and calibration are the activities that you perform to ensure that your analytical tools are functioning properly and producing reliable results. Depending on your process, you may need to perform different maintenance and calibration tasks, such as cleaning, replacing, adjusting, or verifying your analytical tools. You should choose analytical tools that are easy to maintain and calibrate, and that have low operating costs and downtime.
Calibration need to be carried out according to Original equipment manufacturer recommendation. Calibration material need to be certified by the OEM. After Calibration need to verified the actual samples to ensure that Calibration procedure is completed. Better to keep routine schedule for Calibration need to be followed strictly without any negligence.
The sixth factor to consider is what regulatory and environmental standards you need to comply with. Regulatory and environmental standards are the rules and guidelines that you need to follow to ensure that your process is safe, ethical, and sustainable. Depending on your process, you may need to comply with different regulatory and environmental standards, such as quality control, safety, emissions, or waste management. You should choose analytical tools that can help you meet and demonstrate your compliance with the relevant standards.