Introduction

FIT is able to provide a consulting service in the field of on-line process analyzer technology to clients wishing to assess their overall capabilities in engineering design, day-to-day operation and maintenance of on-line process analyzers. The primary objective is to identify areas for improvement of overall performance of existing analyzer installation, as well as to identify particular applications where the use of new analytical technology can provide improved analytical capability and performance.

The process analyzer is a unique device in the field of industrial process instrumentation. Although it is a fairly complex electronic instrument, it operates on the basic principles of analytical chemistry, an unusual combination of disciplines. In addition, the majority of analyzers in use today require some form of sample handling. Therefore engineers and maintenance technicians involved in day-to-day operation and maintenance of process analyzers must be intimately familiar with all aspects of process analyzer technology.

Scope of Work Involved

FIT Consultants are able to assist clients in two differing types of audit:

Existing Process Analyzer Installations
For a typical process analyzer evaluation project, FIT would carry out the following activities:

1. A detailed survey of all existing analyzer installations at the particular site location. The purpose of this survey is to identify the types of analyzers and number installed, the year of installation, full details of each application, how the data generated by the analyzer is used by process operations (advanced control, monitoring-only, safety, environmental, etc.) and the types of problems experienced during operation (e.g. analyzer problems, sample handling system problems).
   
   
2. A detailed survey of all company business activities related to the engineering design, installation, day-to-day operation, maintenance and long-term performance evaluation of process analyzer systems. Particular attention will be given to the methods of communication between different disciplines involved in process analyzer technology, how various activities are documented (e.g. use of computerized databases), how the service factors and long-term performance of analyzer installations are calculated and documented, the organizations currently in place for engineering and maintenance of process analyzer systems and the types of programs in place for theoretical and hands-on training of analyzer engineers and maintenance technicians.
   
   
3. Discussions will be conducted with the various business groups involved with process analyzers (e.g. analyzer engineering, analyzer maintenance, process operations, application engineering, plant laboratory), with the objective of identifying any problem areas associated with the use of process analyzers at the plant location, in particular, how process operations department perceives process analyzers and how confident they are in the data generated. Particular attention will also be given to the question of process analyzer calibration and analyzer/laboratory correlation.

From the information gathered in 1, 2 and 3 above, FIT will then compile a working model of the current business activities associated with process analyzers. From a detailed review and discussion of this model, FIT will then identify opportunities for improving performance and efficiency of the various business activities, based on standard industry practices as used by world leaders in the use of process analyzer technology.

Use of New On-Line Analytical Technology
Based on the detailed information on existing analyzer applications obtained during the site survey, FIT will review these analyzer applications to establish whether the use of new on-line analytical technology will benefit the client by providing more efficient and effective analytical data for use in advanced process control.

FIT will also hold discussions with process operations department to identify any additional (new) analyzer application requirements and make proposals for use of the appropriate state-of-the-art analytical technology for these applications.

The FIT On-Line Analyzer Audit practice: we look forward to the opportunity to assist your organization toward increased utilization, productivity and profitability.