The introduction of process chemometrics into an industrial pilot plant laboratory

Process chemometrics is the application of multivariate statistical methods to industrial process data characterised by a large number of correlated p rocess measurements. In this paper, we aim to show how multivariate techniq ues have been used in a pilot plant environment with the objective of incre asing the general understanding of the process despite having access to lim ited data. The use of process trajectory plots to follow the operation of t he plant are discussed, along with statistical indicators for the detection and diagnosis of process disturbances. The effect of process conditions on product quality is analysed using cross-correlation with latent variables and significant process variables and time delay structures are identified. The experience and process understanding gained by the pilot plant staff h as enabled them to propose the installation of new sensors and analysers ba sed upon sound business benefits. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.