Software breakthrough for NIR analysis

PetroMetriX Ltd. has released   Freetune, a   software application that enables  refinery operators access to optimize near infrared (NIR) analysis techniques. NIR is a promising analytic method. However, these systems use calibration models to predict one or many performance properties of the product. Such models require weeks or months of fine-tuning to develop and maintain robust process models.

Freetune is a unique calibration software application that replaces traditional calibration techniques.
                This patent-pending technology is based on a two-step process. First , PLS regression is used to build a localized sensitive model, based on a small number of samples. Since the model is localized, it can be quickly built and validated. Second a proprietary algorithm processes the model together with application-specific plant data. This segment deals with predicting the long-term product variability (figure 1).

The program has two sets of I/O; inputs are the spectra as measured by the system and the plant data. The plant data is  application-specific and based on existing sources. The outputs are the monitored variables.
freetune block diagram.gif

Figure 1: Software application allows quick model building



Benefits are:

  • The technology is generic; it can can be used with multiple processing applications.

  • Models can be developed within a few days.
  • Operation and logic of the technology can be easily handed over to process operators after short training sessions. No chemometric or chemical engineering background is required to maintain the analyzer.

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