Smart Sample Systems for At-Line Analyzers D.E. Podkulski ExxonMobil Chemical Co Baytown, Texas R Puzic IOL, Products and Chemicals Division Sarnia 22.

Smart Sample Systemsfor At-Line Analyzers

D.E. PodkulskiExxonMobil Chemical CoBaytown, Texas

R PuzicIOL, Products and Chemicals DivisionSarnia22 Jan 02

IFPAC 2002San Diego, CA23 January, 2002

Content

• Status of At-Line systems

• At-Line sample system requirements

• Application of modular sample system

• Robotics for At-Line systems

• Sample integrity/ Cross contamination

Status of at-line systems

• Several applications in large integrated olefins plants

• At-Line system for marine shipments

• At-line system for environmental analysis

At-Line sample system requirements• Sample integrity

– Cross contamination– Degradation– Assurance of flow

• Pretreatment– Filtration– Phase separation

• Sample Introduction– Pressure– Temperature– Residence time

Application of Modular Sample Systems

• Reduced sample volume requirements

• Minimized cross contamination

• Simplified component layout

• More effective temperature control

• Improved maintenance

Application of Modular Sample Systems

ConventionalSystem

Modular

Application of Modular Sample Systems

Application of Modular Sample Systems

Application of Modular Sample Systems

Robotics for At-Line Systems

• Carousel sampler– Basic sample introduction device

• as opposed to bags or sample cylinders• multiple samples at once

• Basic Robotics– Single analysis and sample preparation

• extract solvent removal prior to analysis– Multiple analyses and preparations

• Aromatics product release analyses• Advanced Robotics

– Sample collection and analysis?

Robotics for At-Line Systems

• Sequential sample analysis using carousel

Sample Integrity/Cross Contamination

• Reduced or zero dead volume fittings• Silcosteel coated components• Modular components

– Lower volume system

Smart sample system requirements

• Detect sample presence - Flow - meters are still too big

- Pressure - small, smart ones are available

- Level - small, smart ones are available

• Detect sample position and sequence- Move carousel to selected sample

- Fiber optics - Move sample to transfer position

- Fiber optics

Smart sample system requirements

• Sample log in capability- Sample number, operator ID, sample

origin- Transmit data to lab or control room

• Transfer sample to analyzer - Purge out sampling system with new

sample- Initiate analysis- Provide sample complete feedback - Prove no cross-contamination

• Flush out sample system - purge sample system with inert

material- prepare system for next analysis

Smart sample system requirements

• Generate sample system failure alarm- Log alarms for system troubleshooting- E-mail notification in case of errors

• Sample disposal -provide safe storage for disposed samples

-provide inventory status

Conclusions

• Increasing demand for modular systems

• At-Line systems need small compact sample handling components

• Fully automated smart sample systems

• At-line systems create higher complexity

• Capability needed to handle diverse samples