Driving precision in hydrocarbon processing analysers using Beer's Law

Advanced spectrometry ensures precise chemical measurements, enhancing efficiency and output in hydrocarbon processing while minimising emissions in refineries and chemical plants, writes Dr Harry Burton

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IN modern chemical plants, hydrocarbon processing facilities and refineries, continuous innovation can separate successful operations from those that are not.

Processes that increase safety, reduce emissions, have greater product output, and generate increased profit margins, are constantly researched, designed and implemented.

Data analysts, especially those with backgrounds in chemistry, engineering, and physics, have spent decades gathering and reviewing information from plant information systems in search of opportunities to modify and improve plant operations.

An ongoing practice is reviewing chemical compounds and their concentrations throughout operations.

Monitoring and understanding how both chemical compositions and concentrations change in process streams as they pass through heaters, across catalysts, or are subjected to changing levels of pressure enables system designers to make positive changes in current operational configurations or practices.

There are challenges, however, when the desired data is not available. Sometimes the lack of data is caused by an inability to continuously or accurately measure compounds of interest.

In the early times of embedding process analysers in plant operations, just obtaining any information was "good enough".

But computational improvements and the introduction of new measurements technologies in process analysers have driven automation professionals to require more information that was once considered unattainable.

As such, complex analyser suppliers like AMETEK Process Instruments can never be satisfied with what its equipment is currently capable of accurately measuring.