How’s Your Engine Running?

Fuel Quality = Engine Performance

During the course of a diesel engine’s life it is the fuel that represents more than 70% of its operating cost. Therefore maintaining fuel quality is imperative.

GW’s new application note, Monitoring the Cloud Point of Diesel Fuel, demonstrates how NIR spectroscopy is a time and money saving alternative to traditional methods for monitoring the cloud point of a diesel fuel, which is the temperature below which wax forms giving the fuel a cloudy appearance. This parameter is an important property of the fuel since the presence of solidified waxes can clog filters and negatively impact engine performance. (By the way do you know who invented the Diesel Engine?) (Answer at the bottom)

Traditional laboratory methods for the measurement of cloud point are optical in nature but rely on cooling the fuel for the wax formation to occur. Guided Wave’s NIR instrumentation can measure compositional changes in the fuel that will be directly related to the wax formation and hence the cloud point. This means no waiting around for the wax to form; you get data within seconds with this powerful NIR method.

This application note illustrates how the measurement of cloud point of diesel fuel is made possible by using Guided Wave (GW) optical probes coupled to a near-infrared spectrometer with fiber optic cables. The GW NIR instruments can be applied either on-line for real-time, continuous process monitoring or simply as a faster and more efficient laboratory procedure. The end result of excellent fuel quality is maintained meaning better performing engines!

  1. Rudolf Christian Karl Diesel was a German inventor and mechanical engineer, famous for the invention of the Diesel engine. Wikipedia Born: March 18, 1858, Paris, France

Welcome to Guided Wave

Welcome to Process Insights’ Family

PROCESS INSIGHTS ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION OF GUIDED WAVE INC.

Greensboro, NC – March 1, 2022.  ProcessProcess Insights_Guided Wave logo Insights, a Union Park Capital portfolio company, announced today that it has acquired Guided Wave Inc. (“Guided Wave”) from Singapore-based Advanced Holdings Ltd.  Guided Wave, based in Rancho Cordova, California will join Process Insights’ existing broad portfolio of premium brands and technologies for process analytics, monitoring and control including COSA Xentaur, Hygrocontrol, Alpha Omega Instruments, LAR Process Analysers, Tiger Optics, ATOM Instrument, Extrel CMS and MBW Calibration.

Founded in 1983, Guided Wave designs and manufactures complete analytical systems utilizing Near Infrared (“NIR”) and Ultraviolet/Visible (“UV-VIS”) spectroscopic technologies.  Guided Wave is the only process NIR company that provides a complete, optically matched NIR analytical system yielding the best throughput efficiency and long-term performance that exceed industry standards.  Guided Wave’s analytical systems are designed for continuous online process performance while providing real-time data of laboratory quality in harsh, hazardous, and demanding environments.  Guided Wave’s products and technologies are used in a wide range of applications across a multitude of markets and industries including chemicals, petrochemicals, semiconductor, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and healthcare (sterilization and virus deactivation).

“For more than 35 years, Guided Wave has served a variety of customers and industries worldwide with leading spectroscopic process analyzer solutions.  With our acquisition by Process Insights, additional resources will propel Guided Wave into the next decade of innovation and industry leadership”, said Susan Foulk, President of Guided Wave.  “It’s exciting to join the Process Insights team, and the team at Guided Wave looks forward to opening new pathways for growth as we continue to put our customers and their process analytical needs first”, Foulk added.

“Guided Wave is a natural fit for Process Insights.  We share many common customers, markets and applications.  This is an exciting opportunity for Process Insights to continue to expand our total differentiated solution offerings to our customers with the addition of Guided Wave’s premium NIR and UV-VIS technologies to our portfolio”, said Monte Hammouri, CEO of Process Insights.  “We have known Guided Wave, Susan and her team for many years through prior collaborations.  Bringing them into the Process Insights family takes our collaboration to that next level where we can leverage Process Insights’ global scale and operating footprints to further accelerate Guided Wave’s growth and innovation”, added Hammouri.

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PROCESS INSIGHTS ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION OF GUIDED WAVE INC.

PROCESS INSIGHTS ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION OF GUIDED WAVE INC.

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Model 412 NIR Spectrometer Support and Available Parts

Model 412 NIR Spectrometer Support and Available Parts

M412 analyzer

Model 412 NIR Spectrometer

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Writing Custom Python Scripts in OmniView Part II

Writing Custom Python Scripts in OmniView Part II

In part I of Writing Custom Python Scripts in OmniView, we discussed setting up a basic python script and determine the absorbance value at a specific wavelength. As shown in our training videos we recommend customers use Unscrambler Prediction Engine to implement PLSR or PCA calibrations. We also have a video demonstrating how to turn on additional statistics, such as Mahalanobis Distance.

When additional statistics are turned on, instead of returning a single floating point value, the Unscrambler Prediction Engine will return a python dictionary or array of answers (predicted properties). If you are operating near zero, the calibration may return a negative result. In many applications the answer, such as the concentration of water in a solvent, the real world value can never be less than zero. Therefore you may want to add some logic to your python method script to overwrite negative values and set them to zero.

The code below can be added to your custom python method script. Please note the tab indentation. Proper spacing is important in python syntax.

answer = unscramble(au)

for key in answer.keys():
    if answer[key] < 0:
        answer[key] = 0

Interested in learning more? Check out the training videos we have on our youtube channel.

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Integrating the OEM ClearView db – The Gold Box

Integrating the OEM ClearView db – The Gold Box

ClearView db is a modular filter photometer suitable for many OEM applications. By selecting up to six filters ranging from 420nm to 2100nm each with a dedicated detector, system integrators have successfully utilized ClearView db for real-time monitoring of liquids and gasses. Examples include: acid & OH number monitoring, detection of copper in acid baths, hydrogen peroxide vapor sterilization, NO2 gas sterilization, water content of solvent or gasses, or color. Additionally, the ClearView db can monitor up to 2 process locations using either flow cells or direct insertion probes.

Guided Wave ClearView db photometer analyzer

When sold in the OEM form factor, the ClearView db’s external enclosure which includes a touch screen interface is removed. This enables system integrator’s to have a compact and low cost gold box analyzer to incorporate into their design. A direct digital MODBUS interface allows for bidirectional communication with the OEM ClearView db and other peripherals. As shown in the image below, the OEM ClearView db gold box is approximately 9 inches long, 4 inches tall, and 5 inches wide.

The small form factor of the OEM gold box allows for simple integration.

Implementing a complete OEM Analyzer System

A complete OEM analyzer system includes OEM Clearview db, a sample interface such as an insertion probe or flow cell, and a pair of thermally stable fiber optical cables (link to thermal test report). Often the gold box is located out of the way, in a control room or internal electronics area. The fiber optical cables allows system integrators to then route a connection to the sample interface.

Depending on the application an appropriate flow cell or insertion probe design is selected. For example:

  • In the semiconductor industry, hydrofluoric applications require a flow cell constructed out of PFA/PEEK. The metal free flow cell construction is selected to prevent contamination or corrosion in the cleanroom environment. 
  • For medical device sterilization, a 50 cm vapor probe is selected for monitoring NO2, H2O2, O3, or other sterilants. The GSST probe was specifically designed to be invariant to pressure or other index of refraction changes that often occur during the vacuum sterilization cycle.

Ultimately by implementing the OEM ClearView db photometer with MODBUS and an appropriate ample interface, critical process monitoring information can be quickly delivered to process engineers and other end-users. Allowing your customers to make informed decisions in real-time.

Interested in learning more about the OEM process for the ClearView db?

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Improve Operational Safety through Phosgene Leak Detection

Improve Operational Safety through Phosgene Leak Detection

When processes involve extremely toxic or hazardous materials such as hydrofluoric acid, phosgene, isocyanates, etc., safety is paramount. Having a sample interface with built-in leak detection can help save human lives. Consequently, it is recommended that a High Safety Flow Cell be used when monitoring these situations. Constructed out of stainless steel or Hastelloy C276 with Kalrez seals, this flow cell is rated for 250 ºC typical operation at 300 psi. The safety sniffer port provided between o-ring seals allows for a connection to a leak detection system to be used as an indicator of primary seal failure.

For example, plant safety can be improved by monitoring the purity or concentration of phosgene using Guided Wave’s High Safety Flow Cell which is compatible with all Guided Wave analyzers and many other analyzer brands. Built into a Class 300 flange, using welded construction, the High Safety Flow Cell uses double o-ring sealed sapphire windows and a weep or “tattletale” port to self-monitor for o-ring failure. This safety mechanism allows the flow cell to be serviced once the process chemicals are detected in the space between the first and second o-ring seals. Moreover, by installing a High Safety Flow Cell on the input side of the reactor vessel and the recovery line, deviations in the amount of phosgene consumed by the process can be monitored, potentially alerting personnel to a hazardous leak in the facility. Thanks to the dual seals and a sniffer port, polymer manufacturers dealing with hazardous or corrosive samples, such as phosgene, can improve operational safety with the High Safety Flow Cell.

This is also compatible with all makes and models of process FT-NIR analyzers.

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How to Choose Pathlength: for APHA Color

How to Choose Pathlength: for APHA Color

The APHA/Platinum-Cobalt color scale is described in ASTM D1209. The ASTM method is an off-line manual laboratory method. The original test design required an observer to compare the color of a product to a known standard, and then judge the “color”. This color scale ranges from 0 to 500. The lowest value of 0 is referred to as water white. A value of 500 is distinctly yellow. (Below illustrates the contrast from 0- 100 range.)

Two Different Pathlengths are Recommended for APHA Applications

If the user needs to measure the whole range, then we recommend a 30 mm pathlength for either an SST Insertion Probe or MultiPurpose Flow Cell. This allows for long enough pathlength to measure the lightly colored samples and but short enough to still collect light for the dark samples. Conversely if the customer is interested in measuring the lightly color samples with scores less than 300 units, we recommend the 50 mm pathlength. The longer pathlength allows better precision for distinguishing between lightly colored samples.

Still Need Help Selecting a Pathlength?

Guided Wave selects a pathlength for the sample interface that provides the best solution from a technical and economic standpoint. Finding the balance between the signal-to-noise of the measurement and cost to manufacture, as well as accessibility for cleaning/maintenance by the user is always Guided Wave’s priority.  For more information contact us.

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Karl H Norris – First Fellow of Near Infrared Spectroscopy (May 23, 1921-July 17, 2019)

Karl H Norris – First Fellow of Near Infrared Spectroscopy (May 23, 1921-July 17, 2019)

Sent: 2019-07-18 7:36:38 AM

EMAIL FROM Rick (C. Richard) DeVore (son-in-law to Karl H. Norris) with added links. Subject: Karl H. Norris news.

Dear Colleagues and Friends of Karl Norris,

It is with a heavy heart that I notify you of the passing of Karl Norris yesterday afternoon, 2019 July 17, in Alexandria VA.  Karl had entered the hospital on July 11 with two rapidly developing, antibiotic-resistant infections.  He fought valiantly but ultimately succumbed to them after transitioning to hospice care. His final hours were calm and pain-free, and he slipped away quietly at the end with family at his side.  He was 98 years old.

Karl is survived by one daughter and one son, two grandsons, three great-grandsons, one brother and one sister, and numerous nieces and nephews.  (I am his son-in-law.)  He was predeceased by his wife of 69 years, Maxine E. (Thomas) Norris, on 2017 August 28, and by his parents, two brothers, and two sisters.

Two weeks prior to his death, Karl was pursuing his normal everyday life in an assisted-living community.  He was ambulatory with a walker and needed help only with accurate administration of a very few daily medications.  His health was amazingly robust for his age.

Karl felt blessed by his continuing communications with many of you – by mail, by phone, in person – who shared his great joy in discovery and invention.  That ongoing contact was a source of satisfaction and delight for him in both the prime years and the sunset of his life.  We, his family, thank all of you for your varied associations with Karl over his long life.

Per his wishes, there will be no funeral, and Karl’s body will be cremated.  He and Maxine were long-time members of Emmanuel United Methodist Church in Beltsville MD, and a memorial service will be held there in the near future, date to be determined.

Owing to his stature in his profession, and the regard with which he was held by you and so many other colleagues, we are developing plans for a more formal celebration of his life and achievements at a facility and on a date to be determined.  We will keep all of you informed by email of the plans.  Please do let us know at your convenience if you intend to participate and of any constraints on scheduling that may affect you.  We would like to accommodate as many of his professional colleagues and friends as we possibly can.  Because Karl’s favorite gatherings were the IDRC meetings in Charmbersburg PA – he still regularly wore the colorful polo shirts from those conferences! – a service held before or after the 2020 assembly is a possibility, although that event is a year away.

The distribution of this message is not meant to be exclusive; please feel free to forward it to colleagues and friends whom you know but we have not yet managed to identify and acquire contact information.

Finally, please know that although we are saddened by this loss, and we are sure that many of you will be, Karl lived a long, eventful, fruitful life.  He did amazing things, visited amazing places, and worked with amazing people, such as yourselves. Celebrate and remember fondly your experiences with him, as he did his experiences with you, with a smile, even today.

With sincere thanks and regards,
Rick (C. Richard) DeVore

The Karl Norris Award

The Karl Norris Award honors the unique contribution of Karl Norris as the internationally recognized founder of near infrared spectroscopy in the modern world.

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Writing Custom Python Scripts in OmniView Part I

Writing Custom Python Scripts in OmniView Part I

Recently our support team wrote up a helpful tip on indexing the array of absorbance spectrum to get the desired wavelength in a custom python script which is executed by OmniView Software. For information on overwriting negative answers see Writing Custom Python Scripts in OmniView part II.

As shown in the image below, each channel on the spectrometer can be individually configured with a starting and stopping wavelength. Additionally, the step size can be adjusted.

If we assume that the starting wavelength will be 1000 nm and the ending wavelength will be 2100 nm with a 1 nm step size, then we could hard code in values.

For example, if we want to get the absorbance value at 1430nm then we could simply call

au = getAu(scan)
absorbance1430 = au[1430]
absorbance1450 = au[1450]
answer = aborbance1430 / absorbance1450

However, this will only work as long as the channel’s configuration does not change. If in the future someone adjusts the starting position or the step size then the position inside of the array will change and the above code will not work. To properly determine the index at which to find absorbance at a particular wavelength, e.g. 1430nm, the above code would have to calculate the index as follows:

au = getAu(scan)
wl = getWL(scan)
step = wl[1] - wl[0]
index1430 = float(1430 - wl[0])/step
absorbance1430 = au[index1430]

(And this code would need to be repeated for the absorbance at 1450.)

A simpler alternative is to use the getAuAt function which achieves the same thing as the above code in a single line:

answer = getAuAt(scan, 1430) / getAuAt(scan, 1450)

Interested in learning more? Check out the training videos we have on our youtube channel.

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