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In refineries, high octane products are desired since they are used to produce premium gasoline. Catalytic reforming converts heavy naphtha into a high octane liquid product called reformate (a mixture of aromatics and iso-paraffins C7 to C10). The reformate must be constantly monitored to ensure high throughput along the refining process. Traditionally, the octane numbers can be measured by two different methodologies: Inferred Octane Models (IOM) and laboratory octane engine analysis. However, these do not provide «real-time» results and require constant maintenance and human intervention to adapt to current operation conditions. «Real-time» analysis of the octane number in fuels can be performed online via near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) technology, which fits well within the international standards (ASTM). Utilization of a Metrohm Process Analytics NIRS XDS Process Analyzer (ATEX version) in conjunction with a sample preconditioning system makes analysis of the octane number simple, fast, and reliable, allowing quick adjustments to the process for a better quality product and higher profitability.

Pyrolysis gasoline (Pygas) is a by-product of ethylene production, which contains unwanted conjugated diolefins making it unsuitable as a motor fuel. To overcome this limitation, the olefin content needs to be reduced below 2 mg/g pygas in a selective hydrogenation unit (SHU). The diene value, or maleic anhydride value (MAV), is usually determined by the lengthy Diels-Alder wet chemical method (UOP326-17), requiring highly trained analysts. In contrast to the primary method, near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a cost-efficient and fast analytic solution for the determination of diene value in pyrolysis gasoline.

The quantification of residual moisture in lyophilized pharmaceutical peptides is an important measure for quality control in the pharmaceutical industry. For development purposes, such measurements are necessary and routinely performed during stability studies and to optimize the freeze-drying process (lyophilization). Currently, Karl Fischer titration is widely used for moisture determination in routine analysis. However, this method is time consuming and destroys the sample during analysis. This Application Note shows that near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a fast, reagentless, non-destructive method to determine moisture content in lyophilized pharmaceutical products.

Cell fermentation processes are a reliable production method for small molecules and protein-based active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). The fermentation process requires monitoring of many different parameters to ensure optimal production. These quality parameters include pH, bacterial content, potency, glucose, and concentration of reducing sugars. Traditional laboratory analysis takes a significant amount of time and requires different analytical techniques to monitor these different quality parameters. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) offers a faster and more cost-efficient alternative to traditional methods for the determination of critical parameters in fermentation broths at any stage of the fermentation process.

Alkaline additives in engine lubricants are used to prevent the build-up of acids and as a result, they inhibit corrosion. The total base number (TBN) indicates the amount of basic additives present in samples and thus can be used as a measure for the degradation of the lubricant. The standard test method for TBN in lubricants is potentiometric titration according to ASTM D2896. This method requires the use of toxic reagents involves a labor-intensive cleaning procedure. In contrast to the primary method, near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a fast analytical technique which does not produce any chemical waste and completes the TBN analysis in less than one minute.

Liquid laundry detergents contain fabric softeners, bleachers, surfactants, as well as enzymes. Among these compounds, surfactant is the most important one for the cleaning effect, as it reduces the surface tension of the liquid.The quantification of surfactant is still often performed using primary methods such as two-phase potentiometric titration. However, prior to the analysis, time consuming sample preparation steps like dilution and pH adjustment are necessary. In contrast, Visible-Near Infrared Spectroscopy works without any sample preparation steps at all, saving time and costs, and avoiding chemical waste.

The production of biofuels from renewable feedstock has grown immensely in the past several years. Bioethanol is one of the most interesting alternatives for fossil fuels, since it can be produced from raw materials rich in sugars and starch. Ethanol fermentation is one of the oldest and most important fermentation processes used in the biotechnology industry. Although the process is well-known, there is a great potential for its improvement and a proportional reduction in production costs. Due to the seasonal variation of feedstock quality, ethanol producers to need to monitor the fermentation process to ensure the same quality product is achieved. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) offers rapid and reliable prediction of ethanol content, sugars, Brix, lactic acid, pH, and total solids at any stage of the fermentation process.

Safe and fast ethanol determination in hand sanitizers is possible with reagent-free near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). NIRS provides reliable results in a few seconds, quickly indicating when adjustments in formulation are necessary.

The cetane index (ASTM D613), flash point (ASTM D56), cold filter plug point (CFPP) (ASTM D6371), D95 (ISO 3405), and viscosity at 40°C (ISO 3104) are key parameters to determine for diesel quality. The primary test methods are labor intensive and challenging due to the need to use different analytical methods. This application note demonstrates that the NIRS XDS RapidLiquid Analyzer provides a cost-efficient and fast solution (under 1 minute) for the simultaneous determination of these key parameters in diesel.

Spectroelectrochemical experiments not only provide outstanding qualitative information about samples, but also offer other quantitative data that can be considered when performing analyses. A single set of experiments allows analysts to obtain two calibration curves: one with the electrochemical data and another with the spectroscopic information. The concentration of tested samples is calculated by using both curves, confirming the obtained results by two different routes. In this Application Note, comparison between electrochemical and spectroscopic determinations demonstrates that the two methods measure uric acid (UA) indistinctively, with close agreement of the calculated values with empirical data.