Process Monitoring Archives - Keit Spectrometers

Events – TAPPI Webinar

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.

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Keit at FEW 2019 – Bioethanol Monitoring

Event / By Marisa Goodenough

Meet us at FEW 2019 (10-12 June) in Indianapolis, Indiana (Booth #2034). We’ll be showcasing our compact, in-line process spectrometer, the IRmadillo. Learn more at our presentation during the world’s largest ethanol event at this annual Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo.

See Real-Time Monitoring of Sugars, Alcohols, and Acids

Right at our booth we’ll show how easily our IRmadillo real-time process analyser works to monitor chemical reactions of liquids in the production of bioethanol.

Direct observation of feedstock consumption into ethanol
Ability to differentiate between individual components such as different sugars
Monitor the reactions and check for peak productions without waiting for HPLC results

This rugged mid-infrared spectrometer is a simple, compact solution for in situ process analysis in industrial applications (with an added benefit of being certified safe for hazardous environments).

Wed., 12th June (3:30pm): Track 1 Production & Operations. Session title “Instrument Flying for Ethanol Producers: Utilizing Analytical Tools to Determine the Efficacy of New Production Approaches”. Dr. Jonathon Speed presenting The Development and Implementation of a Universal Bioethanol Monitoring Sensor.

Visit Keit Booth 2034: Talk to our CEO, Dan Wood, and our Product and Applications Manager, Dr. Jonathon Speed, about the new models of probes adapted to different industrial chemical environments.

Connect with us

There are lots of opportunities to connect with us. Follow our updates on LinkedIn, and Twitter.

Have any more questions?

Read about the IRmadillo and how it can monitor the bioethanol production process. Send us an email at enquiries@keit.co.uk — Let us know how we can help you with real-time process monitoring & control.

Keit at AOCS 2019: Real-time Oil Analysis

Event / By Marisa Goodenough

Meet us at AOCS 2019 (5-8 May) in St. Louis, Missouri (Booth #608). We’ll be showcasing our compact, on-line process spectrometer, the IRmadillo. Learn more at our presentations during the Annual Meeting of the American Oil Chemists Society, a premier international science and business forum on fats, oils, surfactants, proteins and related materials.

See Real-time Differentiation of Oils, Fats, Sugars, Alcohols, and Acids

Right at our booth we’ll show how easily our IRmadillo real-time process analyser works to monitor chemical reactions of liquids.

Direct observation of oil degradation
Ability to detect blends of oils
Monitor the production and consumption of intermediates and check for contamination

This rugged mid-infrared spectrometer is a simple, compact solution for in situ process analysis in industrial applications (with an added benefit of being certified safe for hazardous environments).

Talk to our Product and Applications Manager, Dr. Jonathon Speed, about the new models of probes adapted to different industrial chemical environments: from a diamond ATR suited to high pH environments to our high temperature probe.

Learn about Recent Advancements in Process Analytical Technology

Mon., 6th May (10:30am, Hall 1): Technology Fast Track Session #1, Dr. Jonathon Speed What does an Armadillo have to do with oil analysis?

Tues., 7th May (3:00pm-3:20pm, Room 100) Session ANA3a: Rapid Methods of Analysis, including Portable Devices. Dr. Jonathon Speed presenting The Development of Robust Spectrometer for Online and Real-Time Oil Monitoring Quality

Connect with us

There are lots of opportunities to connect with us. Follow our updates on LinkedIn, and Twitter.

Have any more questions?

Read about the IRmadillo and Edible Oil Analysis. Send us an email at enquiries@keit.co.uk — Let us know how we can help you with real-time process monitoring & control.

Keit Joins CAMO Software’s OEM Partner Programme

News Release / By Marisa Goodenough

Expanded Offerings

CAMO’s Unscrambler® X ― a powerful multivariate analysis tool – available for integration with Keit’s IRmadillo on-line sensor for real-time process monitoring

Keit announced partnership with CAMO Software (CAMO), a global provider of chemometric software, as part of their OEM Partner Programme. The programme underlies the ability of the Keit technology to provide powerful analysis options for those clients needing better understanding and visualisation of their complex chemical reaction processes. CAMO partners with leading instrumentation companies around the world specifically to enhance analysis of spectral data.

Dan Wood, Keit CEO, stated “This partnership strengthens Keit’s offerings to our clients. It formalizes the ability of Keit to provide streamlined offerings and efficiency of data analysis. Moreover, it is a further sign of Keit spectrometer’s ability to provide a wider range of options”.

For analysis of complex data sets

Dan continued “Our instrument and our Application Scientists have been working with CAMO Unscrambler® for a while and have been impressed with its ability to analyse multiple components in a sample – not just focus on one”.

“Formalizing the working relationship with CAMO affirms to clients that they can benefit both from our ability to capture data with our mid-infrared instrument as well as integrate with an analysis tool to interpret the results”.

Dimitris Alexandrakis, Partner Manager at CAMO Software, said “Our Unscrambler® tool reduces the complexity of spectral data to its underlying chemical structures and offers a comprehensive range of data pre-processing tools designed to remove the effects of light scattering from spectral data”.

Dimitris continued “It also offers advanced data mining using regression and classification methods including Support Vector Machines and powerful experimental design to create robust calibrations. All CAMO analytics software and solutions are 21 CFR compliant”.

Dan Wood finished with “Our Keit instrument is compatible with multiple chemometric packages, and some clients prefer to receive just the raw data. For others, having CAMO software as an option with the IRmadillo FTIR spectrometer greatly simplifies an already complex data interpretation process.”

About CAMO Software

Founded in 1984 by a group of Norwegian scientists, CAMO Software are pioneers and an established leader in multivariate data analysis. Today, CAMO Software has offices around the globe and works with some of the world’s most prestigious organizations. CAMO Software’s analytical modeling, prediction and classification solutions are the preferred choice for over 25,000 data analysts worldwide across a range of industries. CAMO Software’s flagship simulation and prediction software product is The Unscrambler® X, recognized for its ease of use, exceptional data visualisation and advanced multivariate methods. CAMO also offers a range of software products which can be integrated directly into scientific instruments and process monitoring solutions.

About the IRmadillo™, an in situ production FTIR Spectrometer

The IRmadillo is a solid-state FTIR spectrometer that provides real-time reaction analysis for better process monitoring and control in manufacturing environments. The IRmadillo FTIR spectrometer is built tough and certified safe for use in hazardous and potentially explosive environments. A novel and vibration-tolerant analytical instrument, the mid-infrared spectrometer is compact and robust. Unlike any other FTIR, the Keit instrument can be mounted directly onto manufacturing vessels or connected to process lines enabling continuous, real-time reaction analysis of liquids and slurries.

About Keit Spectrometers

Keit Spectrometers provides rugged technology for real-time, in-line process analysis of liquids in manufacturing environments. Started in 2012 at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) in Oxfordshire, England, Keit provides better monitoring solutions to companies around the world for improved manufacturing processes. The IRmadillo’s innovative design enables manufacturing industries to make faster production decisions for reduced waste and better resource management.

Interested in learning more? Send us a message by completing the form below. We’ll keep your contact information private and won’t share outside Keit.

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Best New Product – Keit IRmadillo at GCC Jan 2018

News Release / By Marisa Goodenough

Keit Voted Best New Product at GCC Jan 2018 – IRmadillo

Keit announced that their rugged FTIR spectrometer, IRmadillo, was voted the Best New Product Showcase Winner at the recent Gulf Coast Conference (GCC) held in Houston, Texas 18-19 January 2018. Vying with nearly 20 other competing technologies from among 180 exhibitors for the honour of the title, Keit’s IRmadillo won over the the GCC’s Oil & Gas industry attendees. The Keit instrument successfully demonstrated its true innovation in process analytical technology with rugged features and significant benefits.

Every year, the Gulf Coast Conference brings together hundreds of professionals for the advancement of knowledge of chemical analysis technology associated with the Petrochemical, Refining, and Environmental fields. The IRmadillo FTIR spectrometer was a perfect fit for the conference and was successfully showcased by Keit’s US Distributor, Quantum Analytics.

About the IRmadillo™, an in situ production FTIR Spectrometer

The IRmadillo is a solid-state FTIR spectrometer that provides real-time reaction analysis for better process monitoring and control in manufacturing environments. The IRmadillo FTIR spectrometer is built tough and certified safe for use in hazardous and potentially explosive environments. A novel and vibration-tolerant analytical instrument, the mid-infrared spectrometer is compact and robust. Unlike any other FTIR, the Keit instrument can be mounted directly onto manufacturing vessels or connected to process lines enabling continuous, real-time reaction analysis of liquids and slurries.

About Keit Spectrometers

Keit Spectrometers provides rugged technology for real-time, in-line process analysis of liquids in manufacturing environments. Started in 2012 at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) in Oxfordshire, England, Keit provides better monitoring solutions to companies in the UK and abroad for improved manufacturing processes. The IRmadillo’s innovative design enables manufacturing industries to make faster production decisions for reduced waste and better resource management.

Keit Delivers IRmadillo to Green Biologics

News Release / By Marisa Goodenough

Keit’s New FTIR Spectrometer to Green Biologics for Monitoring Biorenewable Product Development Project

Keit announced delivery of an IRmadillo FTIR spectrometer to Green Biologics (GBL) as part of a project for the development of new products from biorenewable resources. GBL purchased the innovative IRmadillo instrument for use in providing real-time chemical analysis of biological processes. It is part of a larger plan by GBL to develop and refine new processes and products from sustainable, bio-based ingredients. The selection of the IRmadillo underlies Keit’s ability to provide innovation in process analytical technology (PAT) to manufacturing industries.

About Green Biologics

Green Biologics Ltd, (GBL) a renewable chemical company which is now producing the only commercially available renewable acetone and butanol globally, is teaming up with innovative SMEs Dynamic Extractions (DE) and BioExtractions Wales (BEW) to develop a manufacturing process for the biological production of a medically and chemically important biochemical. Supported by the University of Exeter (responsible research), E4tech (life cycle analysis) and Keit (process analysis and control) the team aim to develop a process for production that uses renewable feedstocks and processing, reduces the environmental impact of manufacture and is made using methodology that is acceptable to society at large. The project will apply CLEAVE™, a GBL-developed technology that revolutionises the use of clostridial bacteria for the production of a wide range of biochemicals. GBL will develop the microbes and manufacturing process with technology developed by DE and BEW being used to purify the product and develop new markets based on promoting sustainability. This project is co-funded by the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK. www.greenbiologics.com

About the IRmadillo™, an in situ production FTIR Spectrometer

About Keit Spectrometers

Keit Spectrometers provides rugged technology for real-time, in-line process analysis of liquids in manufacturing environments. Started in 2012 at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) in Oxfordshire, England, Keit provides better monitoring solutions to companies in the UK and abroad for improved manufacturing processes. The IRmadillo’s innovative design enables manufacturing industries to make faster production decisions for reduced waste and better resource management.

New breakthrough in spectral range with Keit’s IRmadillo™ FTIR

News Release / By Marisa Goodenough

Keit announced a recent breakthrough of its rugged IRmadillo™ FTIR spectrometer with an increase in spectral range. The instrument now provides the efficient analysis of liquids throughout the majority of the mid-infrared region from 800 up to 4000 cm^-1 — a range beyond what the standard FTIR techniques that use fibre coupling hardware can achieve. This improvement opens up the number of applications for the IRmadillo™ to provide real-time monitoring of processes such as in the analysis of:

Polymer and plastic synthesis (by tracking triple bonds or cyano groups)
Expensive catalyst tracking (by following metal-carbonyl bonds such as those in the Monsanto or Cativa process)
Improving the sensitivity of low concentration water monitoring in solvents

Keit continues to improve on this innovative process analytical tool for practical applications in manufacturing industries. Unlike similar mid-infrared spectrometers that are fragile, the shock-proof IRmadillo™ can be used directly in the manufacturing environment, either mounted directly onto or in-line with manufacturing equipment. Most importantly, it provides continuous real-time analysis of liquids during the production process to improve efficiency and reduce waste.

To celebrate the news — and to help people better understand their results — we’ve developed a “cheat sheet” for mid-IR spectral analysis that includes an easy to read mid-infrared absorption table, corresponding molecular groups and a few tips for better interpreting spectra. Download the cheat sheet.

ATEX & IECEx Certification for Keit’s IRmadillo™ FTIR Spectrometer

News Release / By Marisa Goodenough

Rugged Process Spectrometer Certified for Hazardous Environments

Keit announced receipt of ATEX and IECEx certification for its rugged IRmadillo™ Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometer. Dan Wood, CEO, stated “The certifications assure our clients that our analytical instrument has been rated for use in hazardous environments including potentially explosive ones. This is a requirement for industries such as in Oil & Gas, Petrochemicals and Pharmaceuticals where the processes involve potentially explosive chemicals. The monitoring instruments used in these production processes, like the IRmadillo FTIR, have to be proven safe for operating around highly volatile products”.

Rugged Analytical Instrument

Dan Wood continued “The IRmadillo FTIR spectrometer is unlike any other. We knew that it could handle a lot. It is vibration tolerant, compact, tough, and built to function under challenging conditions. It has already received the CE mark for non-hazardous environments and we have planned for North American certification for hazardous environments. However, the ATEX and IECEx certification is accepted globally by many of our target industries operating in challenging environments”.

Industrial Process Analytical Technology (PAT)

Dan stated “In industrial environments, the toughness of PAT should go hand in hand with its function. It should work, work dependably and work regardless of the environment. We’ve proven with the IRmadillo, that it can be accomplished with FTIR spectroscopy”. Dan explained “FTIR is an established and powerful technique for the analysis of chemical reactions. FTIR can tell you a lot about what’s going on in your process as it happens — in real time. However, most standard FTIR instruments rely on sensitive moving parts, fibre-optic coupling, and are extremely vulnerable to shock and vibrations which makes them impractical for production environments. Often, manufacturers have to wait for their reaction analysis because they are doing remote sampling and lab analysis”.

Manufacturing Industries Looking for Solutions“Most manufacturers are eager for insight into their processes. Sometimes, due to the difficult or messy nature of their operating environment they have to proceed relatively blindly and hope for the best. Our goal is to help those companies get real-time information — as it happens, no matter where. Using a rugged in-line analytical instrument can lead to faster information, better yields, and less waste”.

About the IRmadillo, an in situ production FTIR Spectrometer

The IRmadillo is a rugged FTIR spectrometer that provides real-time reaction analysis for better process monitoring and control in manufacturing environments. A novel and vibration-tolerant analytical instrument, the IRmadillo mid-infrared spectrometer is compact, lighter and significantly more robust than existing FTIRs. Unlike any other FTIR, the Keit instrument can be mounted directly onto manufacturing vessels or connected to process lines enabling continuous, real-time reaction analysis of liquids and slurries.

About Keit Spectrometers

Spun out of the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL), Oxfordshire, England, Keit’s mission is to implement the use of novel optical designs in the development of new and improved analytical products for the factory and the laboratory. Since 2012, Keit has developed the rugged IRmadillo FTIR spectrometer that enables chemical engineering and production staff to make real-time process-optimising decisions in the Chemical, Pharmaceutical, Bio-renewable, Oil and Gas, and Food and Beverage industries. www.keit.co.uk

Keit’s Rugged FTIR ‘IRmadillo’ Receives UK Trademark Approval

News Release / By Marisa Goodenough

New Name for Rugged Industrial Analytical & Process Monitoring Instrument

Keit Spectrometers announced today receipt of trademark registration from the United Kingdom’s Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) for the use of the name ‘IRmadillo’, a rugged Fourier transfer infrared (FTIR) spectrometer. Dan Wood, CEO, stated “By combining the abbreviation for Infra-red; ‘IR’ and ‘Armadillo’, the new product name combines the function and functionality of Keit’s spectrometer. Armadillos are tough, armour-plated animals that live in a harsh climate. With the look and quality of our rugged, mid-infrared instrument it is a perfect match – It’s compact, tough, and built to function under challenging conditions”.

Industry Picking up on New Technology with IRmadillo™ Spectrometer

Dan continued “We have already received positive attention for the technology and are starting to be recognised for our innovation in analytical process monitoring technology. Our instrument was named as an ‘All Star Innovator 2016’ by Pharmaceutical Manufacturing”.

Bio-renewables Eager for Solutions

Dan elaborated “We are also picking up a lot of interest from bio-renewables companies. They are looking for a sturdy device that can monitor alcohol and feedstock conversion processes involving refuse and other pretty messy bio-mass materials in outdoor and heavily industrial environments”. Dan elaborated “Needless to say, standard FTIR just can’t handle these difficulties – the wide temperature ranges, and harsh weather conditions – that the IRmadillo spectrometer has no problem with”.

Dan continued to describe the IRmadillo’s qualities “The novel optical design of the IRmadillo makes the instrument extremely stable as there are no moving parts. This enables companies to install an FTIR spectrometer directly on to the manufacturing equipment for faster material identification, tracking and reaction analysis removing the need to extractive sampling. This makes for reduced scrap, improved facility utilisation and improved quality”.

Better Use of FTIR Now Possible

Dan explained “FTIR is a well-established and powerful technique for the analysis of chemical reactions. FTIR can tell you a lot about what’s going on in your process as it happens — in real time. However, most standard FTIR instruments rely on sensitive moving parts, fibre-optic coupling, extremely vulnerable to shock and vibrations which makes them impractical for production environments. Often, manufacturers have to wait for their reaction analysis because they are doing remote sampling and lab analysis”.

Dan Wood finished by saying “Ultimately, our goal is to help people make decisions on the production floor through better process monitoring technology — for better yields and process optimization in the development of new products in many industries including the pharmaceutical, chemical, oil and gas, bio-based renewables and food and beverage sectors. We believe the IRmadillo FTIR spectrometer is changing the way these manufacturing processes will be monitored and maintained”.

About the IRmadillo™, a Novel FTIR Spectrometer for Production Environments

The IRmadillo is a rugged Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectrometer that provides real-time reaction analysis for better process monitoring and control in manufacturing environments. A novel and vibration-tolerant analytical instrument, the IRmadillo spectrometer is compact, lighter and significantly more robust than existing FTIRs. The mid-infrared instrument is mounted directly onto manufacturing vessels and process lines enabling continuous, real-time reaction analysis of liquids and slurries.

About Keit Spectrometers

Spun out of the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL), Oxfordshire, England, Keit’s mission is to implement the use of novel optical designs in the development of new and improved analytical products for the factory and the laboratory. Since 2012, Keit has developed the rugged IRmadillo™ FTIR spectrometer that enables chemical engineering and production staff to make real-time process-optimising decisions in the chemical, pharmaceutical, bio-renewable, oil and gas, and food and beverage industries.

IRmadillo is a Registered Trade Mark in the UK under 3185204 and is registered at the EUIPO under 016222408.