Stretching and bending with flexible FTIR process monitors, probes, and software

The use of FT-IR spectroscopy, either in the mid-IR region or near-IR region, offers fundamental advantages over other technologies. Spectral region selection criteria are reviewed, to help define when to use the mid-IR region or the near-IR region (or even when to use parts of both New fiber optic sampling probes for transmission, attenuated total reflection, diffuse reflection and web sensing have solved nagging problems. What many process analyzer specialists are discovering is that new probes are becoming available each month, offering newer process tolerance (can tolerate higher temp or pressure) or even new sampling approaches altogether. This paper describes on-line applications in pharmaceuticals, specialty chemicals, polymer production and refinery production which demonstrate the range of techniques used to appropriately optimize the on- line analyzer. In addition, calibration transfer issues are discussed, demonstrating the importance of the software tools to help sort out the causes for cal errors (spectral contamination, etc.).© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.