NeSSI  : An End to the Mythology Rob Dubois CPAC/NeSSI Workshop Seattle, Washington, USA November 9, 2006

2 Where are we? "This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning." Winston Churchill Gen III Gen II Gen I Fluid Components Electrical Networked & Smart uAnalytical END USER VALUE

3 Sample Systems: an anachronism in an ocean of automation. Carbide Plant, Schkopau, Germany c (Site now owned by Dow Chemical) What has changed?

4 Industry Mantra 80% of process analytical reliability issues are due to the sample system. Why? –Poor understanding of sample integrity plugged, leaking, fouled, flow stopped? –Poor understanding of sample temperature condensing, frozen, two-phase? –Poor understanding of sample pressure vent header influences on analytical results –Low degree of automation

5 An End to the Mythology sample systems have to be large sample system control needs to be done in the DCS visual flow indicators are required the need for maintenance “rounds” an analyzer house is needed

6 An End to the Mythology No need for Sample Handling System (S.H.S.) automation Thermostats are good enough The inside of an enclosed space carrying flammables is Division/Zone 2 The use of conduit/seals inside S.H.S. The continued use of 4-20 mA systems

7 By-Line Analysis - a new mini Sampling technique for micro Analyzers located very near or on the sample point extractive sampling fully automated (“smart”) environmentally self-contained (no house) tight integration of analytical & sampling uses two orders of magnitude less sample includes a disposal method for used sample Next Step

8 NeSSI  - Score Card  A digital bus (Gen II) tailored to meet the requirements of process analytical  Smart SHS functionality defined  Major NeSSI  project(s) on the books  Automation and reliability linked  Generation I proven and accepted  We have set in motion a fundamental and permanent change in how we do process analytical

9 A Final Thought “When men got structural steel, they did not use it to build steel copies of wooden bridges.” Ayn Rand. Atlas Shrugged