Keit Archives - Keit Spectrometers

Events – FEW 2022

Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo 2022

FEW 2022 is gathering industry professionals in Minneapolis with a full line up of exhibition and techical programs scheduled for 13th-15th June. Ethanol and renewable fuel producers and suppliers will be sharing the latest innovations within the biofuels industries for optimisation of processing and production. Keit will be exhibiting at Booth #1235 and participating in FEW’s annual Black out Bingo. Drop by our booth during the FEW expo to see the robust IRmadillo process analyser. Find out how Keit’s technology can optimise the ethanol & rewewable diesel production with real-time analysis for better yields and cost savings.

Keit’s Product & Application Director, Dr. Jonathon Speed, will be presenting a technical session during the event.

Tuesday, 14th June (3:30pm-5pm)
Presentation Title: Taking the Stress out of Spectroscopy
FEW Track 1: Productions & Operations, Session “Maestro, Please: The importance of proper instrumentation in ethanol plant laboratories”

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About Keit Spectrometers and the IRmadillo Process Analyzer

Keit has created the IRmadillo to provide in-line process analysis of liquids over a variety of operating environments – including those most challenging. They are built tough with fixed sampling probes and a vibration-tolerant design. The mid-infrared IRmadillo enables real-time process analysis of liquids in environments that challenge standard instrumentation enabling process optimization & cost savings.

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Interested in finding out more? Contact us. Send us a message and find out how the IRmadillo can help optimize your process.
Get the latest news by following us on LinkedIn, Twitter.

Events – Keit at AOCS 2022

Event / By Marisa Goodenough

AOCS Annual Meeting & Expo 2022

The American Oil Chemists Society (AOCS) is ready for a hybrid live & online event with exhibits and a full techical program scheduled for 1-4 May in Atlanta, Georgia. Researchers, producers and suppliers will be sharing the latest innovations in analysis, production and characterisation within the Fats & Oil industries. Drop by Keit booth #245 to see our IRmadillo process analyser. Find out how Keit’s technology can optimise the fats & oil refining process with real-time analysis for better yields and cost savings.

Keit will be presenting three sessions during the event.

Wednesday, 4th May

Static optics FTIR spectroscopy for the measuring and control of fermentation (Presenter & Chair: Dr. Jonathon Speed)
Track: Processing; Session: Control, Instrumentation & Machine Learning

Advanced process control in edible oils refining (Presenter: Richard Salliss)
Track: Processing; Session: Control, Instrumentation & Machine Learning

Demystifying chemometrics: How multivariate analysis allows spectroscopy to be used to solve most analytical problems (Presenter: Dr. Jonathon Speed)
Track: Analytical; Session: Rapid & High Through Put Screening Methods

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Register & read more: AOCS 2022
Find out more about Keit’s IRmadillo and improved monitoring of fats & oil production.

About Keit Spectrometers and the IRmadillo Process Analyser

Keit has created the IRmadillo mid-infrared spectrometer to provide in-line process analysis of liquids over a variety of operating environments – including those most challenging. They are built tough with fixed sampling probes and a vibration-tolerant design. This enables the IRmadillo to provide real-time process analysis of liquids in environments that challenge standard instrumentation. Keit enables process optimisation & cost savings to our customers through rugged technology.

Connect with Us

Interested in finding out more? Contact us. Send us a message and find out how the IRmadillo can help optimise your processes.
Get the latest news by following us on LinkedIn, Twitter.

News Release

News Release / By Marisa Goodenough

Keit announces plans for ultrasonic descaler for the IRmadilloDiamond

Improving performance of industrial process analyser in chemically scaling processes

Oxford, United Kingdom

Keit is pleased to announce plans to incorporate ultrasonic descaling into its product offering as a means to keep the IRmadillo process analyser operational in chemically scaling environments.

Many industrial processes involving inorganic salts and compounds have inherent scale formation – for example, gibbsite formation in alumina refining, or pirssonite formation in pulp making. ATR (attenuated total reflectance) based analytical instruments have traditionally been susceptible to fouling and scaling, rendering them unsuitable for these environments. Keit has demonstrated that the use of ultrasound – typically in the range of 20,000 to 40,000 Hz – effectively removes scale from the ATR of the IRmadilloDiamond probes.

This exciting development means Keit will be working with third-party suppliers of ultrasonic equipment to create an all-inclusive solution for incorporation into an IRmadillo installation suited to a wide range of environments. Initially this will be focused on process monitoring of alumina refining and pulp manufacturing, but has implications for all metals, mining and minerals (MMM) applications, as well as extending to removing biofilms during monitoring of industrial biotechnology applications.

About Keit Spectrometers and the IRmadillo Analysers

Used around the globe, Keit has created the family of IRmadillo mid-infrared instruments to provide in-line, in situ process analysis of liquids over a variety of operating environments. Built tough with fixed sampling probes and a vibration-tolerant optical design, IRmadillo process analysers enable real-time analysis of liquids in environments that challenge standard instrumentation.

Connect with Us

Get the latest news by following us on LinkedIn, Twitter, or meeting us in person at events throughout the year. Interested in finding out more? Contact us.

Events – TAPPI Webinar

Event / By Marisa Goodenough

Power of spectroscopy in chemical recovery & stickies monitoring

TAPPI Webinar January 18, 2022

Is there a way to improve chemical recovery through more powerful on-line monitoring techniques? How would you monitor the development of stickies in your process in real time with current technologies? Do you want to discover how this area of analytical techniques have adapted and attempt to achieve real-time analysis for better production insights?

Spectroscopy has the power to directly observe chemicals present in a sample. Monitoring chemical concentrations from on-line analysis is recognized as having the potential for significant impact on chemical recovery efficiencies as well as accuracy and speed of stickies monitoring. However, not all spectroscopies are the same. Join Keit’s Product & Application Manager, Dr. Jonathon Speed, at the upcoming TAPPI webinar January 18, 2022 as he presents a thorough comparison & contrast of on-line spectroscopies of the three major types of industrial techniques available to pulp and paper manufacturers – near-infrared (NIR), standard Fourier transform infrared (FTIR or mid-infrared) and the IRmadillo FTIR (innovation in mid-infrared).

Find out about the possibilities with technology and techniques for on-line monitoring of the top challenges in pulp & paper production.

View Webinar Recording

What will you gain from this webinar?

Understand the current top challenges with capturing on-line chemical concentration analysis in pulp and paper manufacturing
Describe the fundamentals of spectroscopy to enable process optimization in pulp and paper manufacturing
Distinguish strengths and weaknesses of near-infrared (NIR) and mid-infrared (FTIR) spectroscopies as in-process analytical techniques
Examine the basic chemistry involved in monitoring reduction efficiency and stickies formation
Assess how the IRmadillo and on-line spectroscopy can address analytical issues with real-time information for improved chemical recovery, monitoring the formation of stickies and overall process optimization

Jonathon will talk about the power behind spectroscopy, what makes each method different, the chemistry involved with monitoring reduction efficiency and stickie formation and efforts to analyze them on-line. More importantly, you’ll learn how advancement in spectroscopic analytical technology enables process optimization with real-time measurement of chemicals and properties of interest (i.e. reduction efficiency in chemical recovery for pulping, or sizing additives in paper making) as well as more difficult to measure concepts such as spotting stickies formation early.

Watch now

Couldn’t make it on the day? No problem, it’s been recorded and you can view it now!

View Webinar Recording

About the Presenter: Dr. Jonathon Speed

Dr Jonathon Speed CChem is the Product and Applications Manager at Keit Spectrometers. Receiving both his Masters and PhD in Chemistry from the University of Southampton, UK, Dr Speed has authored multiple publications in the field of vibrational spectroscopy for professional organisations including the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) and the American Chemical Society (ACS). His areas of expertise include nanotechnology, spectroscopy and the use of chemometrics to monitor and control industrial processes. He has published eight patents in the field of surface science. His most recent experience is in the use of FTIR spectroscopy to improve efficiency and safety for a range of industrial applications such as: pulp and paper manufacturing, fermentation, metals refining and fats & oils refining. He has previously presented to TAPPI audiences at both the TAPPICon virtual and live 2021 conferences.

About Keit Spectrometers and the IRmadillo Process Analyser

Keit has created the family of IRmadillo mid-infrared instruments to provide in-line process analysis of liquids over a variety of operating environments – including those most challenging. They are built tough with fixed sampling probes and a vibration-tolerant design. The IRmadillo enables real-time process analysis of liquids in environments that challenge standard instrumentation enabling process optimisation & cost savings.

Connect with Us

Interested in finding out more? Contact us.
Get the latest news by following us on LinkedIn, Twitter.

Events – FEW 2021

Event / By Marisa Goodenough

Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo 2021

FEW 2021 is ready for a live exhibition and techical program scheduled for 13th-15th July in Des Moines, Iowa. Ethanol and renewable fuel producers and suppliers will be sharing the latest innovations within the biofuels industries for optimisation of processing and production. Keit will be exhibiting and participating in FEW’s annual Black out Bingo. Drop by booth #1133 during the FEW expo to see our IRmadillo process analyser on show. Find out how Keit’s technology can optimise the bioethanol fermentation process & renewable diesel pre-treatment with real-time analysis for better fermeter yields and cost savings.

Keit’s Product & Application Manager, Dr. Jonathon Speed, presents two sessions during the event.

Wednesday, 14th July (3:30pm-5pm)
The journey of turning an FTIR spectrometer into a process analyser for the bioethanol industry
FEW Track 1: Productions & Operations (Room 1), Session “Leveraging Best-Available Innovations in Lab Hardware and Programmatic Approaches to Drive Out Process Upsets While Driving in Greater Yield”

Thursday, 15th July (1:30pm-3pm)
An analyser for the pre-treatment of renewable diesel feedstocks
Renewable Diesel Summit: Room 5, session “Right from the Beginning: Towards an Optimal Pretreatment Program in Renewable Diesel Production”

Find Out More

Register & read more: FEW 2021
Find out more about Keit’s IRmadillo and improved monitoring of Biofuels, Bioethanol and Renewable diesel.

About Keit Spectrometers and the IRmadillo Process Analyser

Connect with Us

Interested in finding out more? Contact us. Send us a message and find out how the IRmadillo can help optimise your processes.
Get the latest news by following us on LinkedIn, Twitter.

High-Temperature IRmadilloDiamond

News Release / By Marisa Goodenough

Keit’s Newest High-Temperature IRmadilloDiamond for Monitoring Processes up to 220°C (428°F)

Rugged industrial FTIR process analyser with increased temperature compatibility

Oxford, United Kingdom

Keit is pleased to announce the release of its high-temperature IRmadilloDiamond analyser for liquid processes up to 220°C (428°F). The in-line, diamond-ATR instrument has been designed to provide continuous, real-time analysis of processes over a wider range of analyte temperatures for faster monitoring and control of industrial processes.

Industrial Process Monitoring Technology

Dan Wood, CEO, Keit stated “The IRmadilloDiamond is a robust mid-infrared analyser. It performs over a full pH range and can be installed directly into production lines with analyte temperatures ranging from ‑20°C up to 220°C. This makes it ideal for industries such as Pulp and Paper that operate with high-temperature processes under similarly harsh conditions. It’s a challenge for them to find real-time analytical techniques that work”.

Dan elaborated “We’ve been working with several pulp mills in the analysis of green, white and black liquor streams in the kraft process. We’ve successfully proven the ability to monitor key components that affect the safety and efficiency of the recovery boiler and the recausticing process with the aim of improving the efficiency of the chemical recovery process. The IRmadillo can help them achieve real-time monitoring”.

“Another industry that benefits from the high-temperature IRmadilloDiamond”, continued Dan, “is the alumina refining sector where conditions are brutal on standard monitoring instrumentation. The rugged IRmadilloDiamond gives alumina refiners immediate concentration analysis of such chemicals as caustic soda. Being able to measure this throughout the refining process allows for better control of chemical addition. It minimises waste, reduces energy consumption and improves production efficiency to reduce costs”.

IRmadillo and Industry 4.0

Dan concluded “But the appeal of the IRmadilloDiamond’s higher temperature range also applies to other industries including bulk and specialty chemical manufacturers. In the end, as all of these industries align themselves with Industry 4.0 principles, the IRmadilloDiamond is the process analytical technology that allows them to move their monitoring in-line with production processes for real-time analysis and improved control”.

About Keit Spectrometers and the IRmadillo Analysers

Keit has created the family of IRmadillo mid-infrared (FTIR) instruments to provide in-line, in situ process analysis of liquids over a variety of operating environments. Built tough with fixed sampling probes and a vibration-tolerant optical design, IRmadillo process analysers enable real-time process analysis of liquids in environments that challenge standard instrumentation. www.keit.co.uk/irmadillo-process-analyser/

Connect with Us

Get the latest news by following us on LinkedIn, Twitter, or meeting us in person at events throughout the year.

Interested in finding out more? Contact us.

Events – PACWEST 2021

Event / By Marisa Goodenough

PACWEST 2021 virtual conference brings together Canadian mill managers, engineers and suppliers to explore the latest innovations within the wood fibre industries for optimisation of processing and production. Keit’s Product & Application Manager, Dr. Jonathon Speed, presents on Thursday, 3rd June 2021 (8:30am-11am PST) “An On-line and Real-time Process Analyzer for Control in Pulp & Paper Manufacturing” scheduled in Session C. Automation & Controls.

Dr. Speed will present a technical overview of the latest analytical technology for analysing the Kraft process utilising the IRmadillo. The IRmadillo was designed to function in harsh, caustic & challenging industrial environments. Unlike standard process analyzers, it can be installed directly on-line or in-line with manufacturing process lines throughout the Kraft process. Jonathon will go into further details on this innovation in spectroscopic design to enable on-line monitoring for real-time control of pulp & paper processes. His presentation will include:

Direct comparison of the static-optics spectrometer with near infrared (NIR), Raman and a traditional FTIR spectrometer
Performance of the instrument in a range of chemicals of relevance to the Kraft process specifically as well as other additives or high-cost chemical monitoring
Demonstrate the differentiation and quantitation of sodium sulfate and sodium sulfite simultaneously in aqueous mixtures
Explore the application of the technology in green liquor monitoring to unlock and improve process control and savings

Find Out More

Register & read more: PACWEST 2021
Find out more about Keit’s IRmadillo and improved monitoring of the Kraft process in the Pulp & Paper Industry.

About Keit Spectrometers and the IRmadillo Analysers

Connect with Us

Interested in finding out more? Contact us. Send us a message and find out how the IRmadillo can help optimise your processes.
Get the latest news by following us on LinkedIn, Twitter.

IRmadillo Receives Japanese Hazardous Area Certification

News Release / By Marisa Goodenough

Keit’s IRmadillo in-line process analyser certified safe for use in potentially explosive atmospheres

Oxford, United Kingdom

Keit is delighted to announce the receipt of Japanese hazardous area (Ex) certification for the IRmadillo — Keit’s process analyser for industrial, in-line analysis of liquids. This certification confirms that the IRmadillo complies with all Japanese safety requirements for electrical equipment used in potentially explosive atmospheres and authorises its use in Japan for those manufacturers requiring certification.

Rugged Analytical Instrument

Dan Wood, CEO, Keit commented “The IRmadillo FTIR spectrometer is unlike any other. It has proven to be extremely capable. It is vibration tolerant, compact and tough, built to function under challenging conditions whilst installed directly in-line to manufacturing processes”. Dan continued “It has already received other hazardous area certifications such as ATEX and IECEx. Now with this additional certification, our customers in Japan have assurance that it meets their national safety standards. It now allows them greater choices in analytical technology for safely monitoring their processes particularly for industries such as chemical and pharmaceutical that may operate in potentially hazardous environments. The IRmadillo gives them a great advantage with real-time analysis for optimisation of their manufacturing processes when safety is an issue”.

About Keit Spectrometers and the IRmadillo

Based in the Harwell Campus in Oxfordshire, England, Keit has created the family of IRmadillo mid-infrared instruments to provide in-line process analysis of liquids over a variety of operating environments – including those most challenging. Ex certified and built tough with fixed sampling probes and a vibration-tolerant design, the IRmadillo enables real-time chemical reaction analysis of liquids in environments that challenge standard instrumentation.

Connect with Us

Interested in finding out more? Contact us. Send us a message and find out how the IRmadilloDiamond can help optimise your processes.
Get the latest news by following us on LinkedIn, Twitter, or meeting us in person at events throughout the year.

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Events – TAPPIcon Virtual 2021

Event / By Marisa Goodenough

The U.S. Technical Association of Pulp & Paper Industry (TAPPI) has planned the first-half of their annual meeting (TAPPIcon) as a virtual 2-day event in May 2021 (4-5 May 2021).

National and international pulp and paper mills along with other industry-focused organisations will share the latest innovations in processing and production of pulp, paper, packaging and tissue. Keit’s Product & Application Manager, Dr. Jonathon Speed, presents on Tuesday, 4th May 2021 (10am-12pm EST) in the Process Control Track: (PC1.2) An On-line and Real-time Process Analyzer for Control in Pulp & Paper Manufacturing.

The IRmadillo was designed to function in harsh, caustic & challenging industrial environments. Unlike standard process analyzers, it can be installed directly on-line or in-line with manufacturing process lines throughout the Kraft process. Jonathon will go into further details on this innovation in spectroscopic design to enable on-line monitoring for real-time control of pulp & paper processes. His presentation will include:

Direct comparison of the static-optics spectrometer with near infrared (NIR), Raman and a traditional FTIR spectrometer
Performance of the instrument in a range of chemicals of relevance to the Kraft process specifically as well as other additives or high-cost chemical monitoring
Demonstrate the differentiation and quantitation of sodium sulfate and sodium sulfite simultaneously in aqueous mixtures
Explore the application of the technology in green liquor monitoring to unlock and improve process control and savings

Find Out More

Review the program: TAPPIcon virtual 2021
Find out more about Keit’s IRmadillo and improved monitoring of the Kraft process in the Pulp & Paper Industry.

About Keit Spectrometers and the IRmadillo Analyzers

Connect with Us

Interested in finding out more? Contact us. Send us a message and find out how the IRmadillo can help optimise your processes.
Get the latest news by following us on LinkedIn, Twitter.

Events – AOCS Virtual 2021

Event / By Marisa Goodenough

The American Oil Chemists Society (AOCS) has planned their 2021 annual meeting as a virtual event (3-14 May 2021).

Industry, academics and research organsations will come together online over two weeks to explore the full range of innovations and challenges in the oil processing chain – covering leading industry trends from new technologies to production of biofuels, food safety & security, processing and lipid oxidation & quality.

Monday, 3rd May (7am-9:35am CDT), Processing track, “New & Emerging Technologies” session

Keit’s Product & Application Manager, Dr. Jonathon Speed, will be co-chairing the session with Richard Ozer, Crown Iron Works
Keit’s Richard Salliss will present “Industry 4.0 and advanced process control in edible oil refining”. Richard will provide an overview of the concepts of advanced process control (APC), introduce the underlying principles as well as discuss the potential benefits when applied to edible oil processing. He will discuss some potential implementation routes in edible oils, and discuss strategies to make full use of APC and engage in the roll out of Industry 4.0.

e-Poster Session (3-14 May), “Processing” poster track

Read (and listen to) Keit’s Dr. Jonathon Speed as he presents his e-Poster entitled “Online FTIR analysis for process control of biofuel production“. Accessible online throughout the annual meeting, it will also allow you to register for an additional free AOCS webinar on the same topic after the annual meeting. Dr. Speed will present the initial work of a static optics FTIR spectrometer for on-line and real time analysis of biofuel production from natural product feedstocks, show detection of FAMEs in triglyceride feedstocks, measurement of methanol and glycerol as well as the catalyst used in transesterification production of FAMEs from triglycerides as well as show the monitoring of a complete transesterification reaction, and how on-line analysis can be used to better control and improve the efficiency of the process.

Find Out More

Review the program: AOCS Virtual 2021
Find out more about Keit’s IRmadillo and capabilities with monitoring fats & oil processing.

About Keit Spectrometers and the IRmadillo Analyzers

Connect with Us

Interested in finding out more? Contact us. Send us a message and find out how the IRmadillo can help optimise your processes.
Get the latest news by following us on LinkedIn, Twitter.