Advanced analytics for chemical plants can increase understanding of operations and reveal unprofitable production lines and hidden problems. This article will cover three common advanced analytics-based tools. These are predictive maintenance, yield, energy, and throughput analytics, and value-maximization modeling. These are tools that help chemical producers optimize operations and improve their bottom line. But how do they work? To maximize their benefit, chemical producers must apply them across the organization. In the end, this approach can lead to greater productivity and profitability.

 

Many analytical chemists are involved in service-related industries. The analytical chemistry field spans academia, industry, and government. In the United States, the field of analytical chemistry is dominated by instrumental analysis, with many practitioners focusing on one type of instrument. The development of analytical chemistry parallels the growth of chemistry. Torbern Bergman is generally credited with developing inorganic qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis. However, before the early twentieth century, most assays were performed using classical methods. Although simple instruments were available at the end of the 19th century, instrumental analysis did not develop until the early 20th century.

 

Chemical analysts often conduct TGA analyses to identify qualitative differences between different materials. TGA can also be used to estimate the proportion of inorganic filler in polymers. The product compliance technique also helps determine the thermal limits of products. By analyzing the composition of a sample, an analyst can accurately assess whether a product is susceptible to extreme weather conditions. The process of TGA analysis involves a series of steps. Here are the main steps of chemical analysis.

 

Instrumental analytical techniques are the most common form of chemical analysis. Instrumental analysis uses instruments other than a balance to determine the properties of analytes. Instrumentation enables the analyst to characterize chemical reactions and measure analytes. Instrumental analytical techniques are further subdivided into categories. There are four main categories of instrumentation:

 

A specialty-chemical company faced production issues at one of its largest sites. The monomers furnace was experiencing volatile production rates, and its overall output was low. This represented a significant bottleneck in the high-margin output segment. Advanced chemical analytics revealed that this furnace was the cause of the problems. Using 600,000 samples with 63 tags each, the company was able to identify critical throughput drivers. Throughput data enabled the company to create a model of the production process.

 

Environmental analysis requires the measurement of N and P. Excess levels of N and P can compromise the quality of water and trigger the rapid growth of toxic algae. Analyzing P and N is generally done using a test kit. Photometers are used for quantitative analysis. There are stand-alone and combination instruments available. On-line and off-line measurements can be performed on water samples. These analytical tools also provide data on CO2, which is a trace element found in wastewater.

 

The field of analytical chemistry focuses on methods to separate, identify, and quantify matter. This includes separation, qualitative analysis, and quantitative analysis. Analytical chemistry is the science and art of understanding and communicating information about matter. ACS chemists work in these areas. This area of chemistry has many fields, and many careers are based on analytical chemistry. The field is rapidly expanding, with many opportunities available. So what are the benefits of studying analytical chemistry?