Transflectance Probe Research Articles

Reliability, clinical performance and trending ability of a pulse oximeter and pulse co-oximeter, in monitoring blood oxygenation, at two measurement sites, in immobilised white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum)

BackgroundMonitoring blood oxygenation is essential in immobilised rhinoceros, which are susceptible to opioid-induced hypoxaemia. This study assessed the reliability, clinical performance and trending ability of the Nonin PalmSAT 2500 A pulse oximeter’s and the Masimo Radical-7 pulse co-oximeter’s dual-wavelength technology, with their probes placed at two measurement sites, the inner surface of the third-eyelid and the scarified ear pinna of immobilised white rhinoceroses. Eight white rhinoceros were immobilised with etorphine-based drug combinations and given butorphanol after 12 min, and oxygen after 40 min, of recumbency. The Nonin and Masimo devices, with dual-wavelength probes attached to the third-eyelid and ear recorded arterial peripheral oxygen-haemoglobin saturation (SpO2) at pre-determined time points, concurrently with measurements of arterial oxygen-haemoglobin saturation (SaO2), from drawn blood samples, by a benchtop AVOXimeter 4000 co-oximeter (reference method). Reliability of the Nonin and Masimo devices was evaluated using the Bland-Altman and the area root mean squares (ARMS) methods. Clinical performance of the devices was evaluated for their ability to accurately detect clinical hypoxemia using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and measures of sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values. Trending ability of the devices was assessed by calculating concordance rates from four-quadrant plots.ResultsOnly the Nonin device with transflectance probe attached to the third-eyelid provided reliable SpO2 measurements across the 70 to 100% saturation range (bias − 1%, precision 4%, ARMS 4%). Nonin and Masimo devices with transflectance probes attached to the third-eyelid both had high clinical performance at detecting clinical hypoxaemia [area under the ROC curves (AUC): 0.93 and 0.90, respectively]. However, the Nonin and Masimo devices with transmission probes attached to the ear were unreliable and provided only moderate clinical performance. Both Nonin and Masimo devices, at both measurement sites, had concordance rates lower than the recommended threshold of ≥ 90%, indicating poor trending ability.ConclusionsThe overall assessment of reliability, clinical performance and trending ability indicate that the Nonin device with transflectance probe attached to the third-eyelid is best suited for monitoring of blood oxygenation in immobilised rhinoceros. The immobilisation procedure may have affected cardiovascular function to an extent that it limited the devices’ performance.

Reliability of pulse oximetry at four different attachment sites in immobilized white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum)

ObjectivesTo determine the reliability of peripheral oxygen haemoglobin saturation (SpO2), measured by a Nonin PalmSAT 2500A pulse oximeter with 2000T transflectance probes at four attachment sites (third eyelid, cheek, rectum and tail), by comparing these measurements to arterial oxygen haemoglobin saturation (SaO2), measured by an AVOXimeter 4000 co-oximeter reference method in immobilized white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum). Study designRandomized crossover study. AnimalsA convenience sample of eight wild-caught male white rhinoceros. MethodsWhite rhinoceros were immobilized with etorphine (0.0026 ± 0.0002 mg kg–1, mean ± standard deviation) intramuscularly, after which the pinna was aseptically prepared for arterial blood sample collection, and four pulse oximeters with transflectance probes were fixed securely to their attachment sites (third eyelid, cheek, rectum and tail). At 30 minutes following recumbency resulting from etorphine administration, the animals were given either butorphanol (0.026 ± 0.0001 mg kg–1) or an equivalent volume of saline intravenously. At 60 minutes following recumbency, insufflated oxygen (15 L minute–1 flow rate) was provided intranasally. In total, the SpO2 paired measurements from the third eyelid (n = 80), cheek (n = 67), rectum (n = 59) and tail (n = 76) were compared with near-simultaneous SaO2 measurements using Bland-Altman to assess bias (accuracy), precision, and the area root mean squares (ARMS) method. ResultsCompared with SaO2, SpO2 measurements from the third eyelid were reliable (i.e., accurate and precise) above an SaO2 range of 70% (bias = 1, precision = 3, ARMS = 3). However, SpO2 measurements from the cheek, rectum and tail were unreliable (i.e., inaccurate or imprecise). Conclusions and clinical relevanceA Nonin PalmSAT pulse oximeter with a transflectance probe inserted into the space between the third eyelid and the sclera provided reliable SpO2 measurements when SaO2 was > 70%, in immobilized white rhinoceros.

Evaluation of Near-Infrared Reflectance and Transflectance Sensing System for Predicting Manure Nutrients

Livestock manure is widely applied onto agriculture soil to fertilize crops and increase soil fertility. However, it is difficult to provide real-time manure nutrient data based on traditional lab analyses during application. Manure sensing using near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is an innovative, rapid, and cost-effective technique for inline analysis of animal manure. This study investigated a NIR sensing system with reflectance and transflectance modes to predict N speciation in dairy cow manure using a spiking method. In this study, 20 dairy cow manure samples were collected and spiked to achieve four levels of ammoniacal nitrogen (NH4-N) and organic nitrogen (Org-N) concentrations that resulted in 100 samples in each spiking group. All samples were scanned and analyzed using a NIR system with reflectance and transflectance sensor configurations. NIR calibration models were developed using partial least square regression analysis for NH4-N, Org-N, total solid (TS), ash, and particle size (PS). Coefficient of determination (R2) and root mean square error (RMSE) were selected to evaluate the models. A transflectance probe with a 1 mm path length had the best performance for analyzing manure constituents among three path lengths. Reflectance mode improved the calibration accuracy for NH4-N and Org-N, whereas transflectance mode improved the model predictability for TS, ash, and PS. Reflectance provided good prediction for NH4-N (R2 = 0.83; RMSE = 0.65 mg mL−1) and approximate predictions for Org-N (R2 = 0.66; RMSE = 1.18 mg mL−1). Transflectance was excellent for TS predictions (R2 = 0.97), and provided good quantitative predictions for ash and approximate predictions for PS. The correlations between the accuracy of NH4-N and Org-N calibration models and other manure parameters were not observed indicating the predictions of N contents were not affected by TS, ash, and PS.

Evaluation of perfusion index as a noninvasive tool to determine epidural anesthesia effectiveness in dogs

ObjectiveTo evaluate perfusion index (PI) as a noninvasive tool to determine effectiveness and onset of epidural anesthesia in dogs. Study designProspective clinical trial. AnimalsA total of 21 adult dogs, aged 6.5 ± 3 years and weighing 34.9 ± 6.4 kg, undergoing a tibial plateau leveling osteotomy. MethodsDogs were premedicated intramuscularly with acepromazine (0.03 mg kg–1) and hydromorphone (0.1 mg kg–1) and anesthetized with intravenous propofol (to effect) and isoflurane in oxygen. A surface transflectance probe was secured to the tail base to monitor PI and a dorsal pedal artery catheter was placed for invasive blood pressure monitoring. A lumbosacral epidural was performed with the dog in sternal recumbency. Dogs were randomly assigned for inclusion of epidural morphine (0.1 mg kg–1) or morphine (0.1 mg kg–1) and lidocaine (4 mg kg–1). PI was recorded following instrumentation of each dog just prior to the epidural (baseline), at 10 minute intervals for 30 minutes, before and after the surgical skin incision and before and after completion of the osteotomy. Physiological variables and end-tidal isoflurane were recorded at the same time points. ResultsThere was no significant difference in PI between the groups at any time point. There was a significant change in end-tidal isoflurane before and after the skin incision in the epidural morphine and epidural morphine–lidocaine groups (p = 0.04, p = 0.05, respectively) and before and after the osteotomy in each group for heart rate (p = 0.001, p = 0.04), diastolic (p = 0.01, p = 0.01) and mean arterial blood pressure (p = 0.03, p = 0.05). Conclusions and clinical relevancePI did not provide an objective means for determining the onset or effectiveness of epidural anesthesia in anesthetized dogs and alternate methods of noninvasive assessment should be investigated.

A methodological approach to acquire high-quality spectra on milk protein concentrate using a Near Infrared (NIR) transflectance probe

This article introduces the project NIR4Dairy and presents the studies currently undertaken. Based on an industry partner’s interest, one of the research objectives is to quantify the lactose content of milk protein concentrate in a very low lactose concentration range (e.g. 0.07–0.3%), using a Near Infrared (NIR) transflectance probe connected to a Fourier Transform-Near Infrared (FT-NIR) instrument. An approach to acquire high-quality and repeatable spectra of milk protein concentrate is reported.

The substratostat - an automated near-infrared spectroscopy-based variable-feed system for the continuous alcoholic fed-batch fermentation of high gravity grape must at static sugar concentrations

Aim: High sugar concentrations in musts cause a hyperosmotic stress response in Saccharomyces cerevisiae increasing the risk of sluggish and stuck alcoholic fermentations and/or causing high acetic acid levels. Applying a fed-batch technique where sugar levels are kept at a constant, low rate throughout fermentations reduces this stress but requires in-situ quantification of sugars and process automation for practicability. The aim of this work was to develop and validate a near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy method allowing for the continuous in-situ quantification of total fermentable sugars in fully turbid alcoholic fermentations of grape musts. Calibration models for glucose, fructose and the fermentation product ethanol were also established.Methods and results: A research Fourier-transform NIR spectrophotometer equipped with a transflectance probe was used to acquire spectra from 240 natural and semisynthetic standards from fermentations conducted using varying concentrations of yeast and yeast nutrients. Using chemometric software, calibration models for total sugars, glucose, fructose and ethanol demonstrated R2 values >0.93 and prediction error (RMSEP) values of 11.6 g l-1, 12.3 g l-1, 10.2 g l-1, and 0.328 % v/v, respectively. The method was integrated with modern process automation technology and was able to maintain sugar concentrations within 5 g l-1 of the 45 g l-1 setpoint adjusted during alcoholic fermentations.Conclusions: The NIR calibration models generated allow prediction of total sugar levels accurately enough to conduct fully automated fed-batch grape must fermentations at constant substrate concentrations. Application of a transflectance probe measuring a high proportion of back-scattered radiation proved useful and necessary considering the high degree of turbidity during fermentations. Placement of the measurement probe in a recirculation loop decreased interference from biomass sedimentation and adherence of CO2 bubbles.Significance and impact of the study: This study presents a fully automated system to carry out fed-batch fermentations which allow circumventing the hyperosmotic stress response of S. cerevisiae during alcoholic fermentations. Calibrated for other substrates, the system may be used in other food and non-food fermentations, too.

Biodiesel Synthesis Monitoring using Near Infrared Spectroscopy

Objective: Biodiesel is a renewable fuel considered as the main substitute for fossil fuels. Its industrial production is mainly made by the transesterification reaction. In most processes, information on the production of biodiesel is essentially done by off-line measurements. Methods: However, for the purpose of control, where online monitoring of biodiesel conversion is required, this is not a satisfactory approach. An alternative technique to the online quantification of conversion is the near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, which is fast and accurate. In this work, models for biodiesel reactions monitoring using NIR spectroscopy were developed based on the ester content during alkali-catalyzed transesterification reaction between soybean oil and ethanol. Gas chromatography with flame ionization detection was employed as the reference method for quantification. FT-NIR spectra were acquired with a transflectance probe. The models were developed using Partial Least Squares (PLS) regression with synthetic samples at room temperature simulating reaction composition for different ethanol to oil molar ratios and conversions. Model predictions were then validated online for reactions performed with ethanol to oil molar ratios of 6 and 9 at 55ºC. Standard errors of prediction of external data were equal to 3.12%, hence close to the experimental error of the reference technique (2.78%), showing that even without using data from a monitored reaction to perform calibration, proper on-line predictions were provided during transesterification runs. Results: Additionally, it is shown that PLS models and NIR spectra of few samples can be combined to accurately predict the glycerol contents of the medium, making the NIR spectroscopy a powerful tool for biodiesel production monitoring.

In-situ monitoring of saccharides removal of alcohol precipitation using near-infrared spectroscopy

As unsafe components in herbal medicine (HM), saccharides can affect not only the drug appearance and stabilization, but also the drug efficacy and safety. The present study focuses on the in-line monitoring of batch alcohol precipitation processes for saccharide removal using near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. NIR spectra in the 4000–10,000-cm[Formula: see text] wavelength range are acquired in situ using a transflectance probe. These directly acquired spectra allow characterization of the dynamic variation tendency of saccharides during alcohol precipitation. Calibration models based on partial least squares (PLS) regression have been developed for the three saccharide impurities, namely glucose, fructose, and sucrose. Model errors are estimated as the root-mean-square errors of cross-validation (RMSECVs) of internal validation and root-mean-square errors of prediction (RMSEPs) of external validation. The RMSECV values of glucose, fructose, and sucrose were 1.150, 1.535, and 3.067[Formula: see text]mg[Formula: see text]mL[Formula: see text], and the RMSEP values were 0.711, 1.547, and 3.740[Formula: see text][Formula: see text], respectively. The correlation coefficients [Formula: see text] between the NIR predictive and the reference measurement values were all above 0.94. Furthermore, NIR predictions based on the constructed models improved our understanding of sugar removal and helped develop a control strategy for alcohol precipitation. The results demonstrate that, as an alternative process analytical technology (PAT) tool for monitoring batch alcohol precipitation processes, NIR spectroscopy is advantageous for both efficient determination of quality characteristics (fast, in situ, and requiring no toxic reagents) and process stability, and evaluating the repeatability.

Study of Asphaltene Precipitation in Crude Oils at Desalter Conditions by Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

The asphaltene precipitation and deposition cause severe operational, economic, and environmental problems to the petroleum industry in all of its streams, such as pipe clogging, emulsion stabilization, and incrustation in separators. It is induced by temperature, pressure, and composition changes at crude oil production and refinement. The crude oil incompatibility is the main reason for asphaltene precipitation at refinery plants. Although it has been the subject of studies for the last 50 years, there is still a lack of robust and reliable tools that can detect and monitor the asphaltene precipitation online. In this scenario, the present work aims to use near-infrared spectroscopy to analyze the oil compatibility regarding asphaltene stability as well as to study the influences of pressure, temperature, and composition variation at desalter conditions. For this, a near-infrared spectrometer equipped with a transflectance probe connected to a variable volume high-pressure cell was used. The results sho...

Near infrared spectroscopy to monitor drug release in-situ during dissolution tests

Dissolution tests can be used to demonstrate suitable in vivo drug release through in vivo/in vitro correlations. This work explores the possibility of using near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to monitor in-situ dissolution tests. It aims at expanding surrogate methods in quality control of drug products. Laboratory designed tablets of an immediate-release formulation containing folic acid and four excipients were used as case study. The dissolution tests were performed on a 1L vessel filled with 500ml of Milli-Q water with a rotating paddle apparatus (apparatus 2, Ph. Eur.) at 50rpm and 37±0.5°C. Near infrared (NIR) spectra were acquired in-situ with a transflectance probe connected to a Fourier-transform near infrared spectrometer. NIR spectra were regressed against folic acid concentration by partial least squares (PLS) regression. Folic acid concentrations during dissolution tests were obtained by periodically sampling the dissolution vessel and resourcing to an UV method. The proposed real-time NIR method was tested on a validation run yielding a root mean squared error of 0.25μgml−1 (0.16μgml−1 for the calibration runs) and a R2 of 0.93 (0.95 for the calibration runs). The results suggest that NIRS is a suitable analytical technique for monitoring in-situ dissolution tests.

Online monitoring of P(3HB) produced from used cooking oil with near-infrared spectroscopy

Online monitoring process for the production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), using cooking oil (UCO) as the sole carbon source and Cupriavidus necator, was developed. A batch reactor was operated and hydroxybutyrate homopolymer was obtained. The biomass reached a maximum concentration of 11.6±1.7gL−1 with a polymer content of 63±10.7% (w/w). The yield of product on substrate was 0.77±0.04gg−1. Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy was used for online monitoring of the fermentation, using a transflectance probe. Partial least squares regression was applied to relate NIR spectra with biomass, UCO and PHA concentrations in the broth. The NIR predictions were compared with values obtained by offline reference methods. Prediction errors to these parameters were 1.18, 2.37 and 1.58gL−1 for biomass, UCO and PHA, respectively, which indicate the suitability of the NIR spectroscopy method for online monitoring and as a method to assist bioreactor control.

In-Line Near-Infrared (NIR) and Raman Spectroscopy Coupled with Principal Component Analysis (PCA) for in Situ Evaluation of the Transesterification Reaction

Biodiesel was synthesized from different commercially available oils while in-line Raman and near-infrared (NIR) spectra were obtained simultaneously, and the spectral changes that occurred during the reaction were evaluated with principal component analysis (PCA). Raman and NIR spectra were acquired every 30 s with fiber optic probes inserted into the reaction vessel. The reaction was performed at 60-70 °C using magnetic stirring. The time of reaction was 90 min, and during this time, 180 Raman and NIR spectra were collected. NIR spectra were collected using a transflectance probe and an optical path length of 1 mm at 8 cm(-1) spectral resolution and averaging 32 scans; for Raman spectra a 3 s exposure time and three accumulations were adequate for the analysis. Raman spectroscopy showed the ester conversion as evidenced by the displacement of the C=O band from 1747 to 1744 cm(-1) and the decrease in the intensity of the 1000-1050 cm(-1) band and the 1405 cm(-1) band as methanol was consumed in the reaction. NIR spectra also showed the decrease in methanol concentration with the band in the 4750-5000 cm(-1) region; this signal is present in the spectra of the transesterification reaction but not in the neat oils. The variations in the intensity of the methanol band were a main factor in the in-line monitoring of the transesterification reaction using Raman and NIR spectroscopy. The score plot of the first principal component showed the progress of the reaction. The final product was analyzed using (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance ((1)H NMR) spectroscopy and using mid-infrared spectroscopy, confirming the conversion of the oils to biodiesel.

In‐Line Monitoring of Particle Size during Emulsion Polymerization under Different Operational Conditions using NIR Spectroscopy

AbstractIn the present work, the sensitivity of NIR spectroscopy toward the evolution of particle size was studied during emulsion homopolymerization of styrene (Sty) and emulsion copolymerization of vinyl acetate–butyl acrylate conducted in a semibatch stirred tank and a tubular pulsed sieve plate reactor, respectively. All NIR spectra were collected online with a transflectance probe immersed into the reaction medium. The spectral range used for the NIR monitoring was from 9 500 to 13 000 cm−1, where the absorbance of the chemical components present is minimal and the changes in the NIR spectrum can be ascribed to the effects of light scattering by the polymer particles. Off‐line measurements of the average diameter of the polymer particles by DLS were used as reference values for the development of the multivariate NIR calibration models based on partial least squares. Results indicated that, in the spectral range studied, it is possible to monitor the evolution of the average size of the polymer particles during emulsion polymerization reactions. The inclusion of an additional spectral range, from 5 701 to 6 447 cm−1, containing information on absorbances (“chemical information”) in the calibration models was also evaluated. magnified image

Determination of glucose and ethanol in bioethanol production by near infrared spectroscopy and chemometrics

The concentrations of glucose and ethanol in substrates from bioethanol processes have been modeled by near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy data. NIR spectra were acquired in the wavelength range of 1100–2300 nm by means of a transflectance probe for measurements in liquid samples. For building of regression models a genetic algorithm has been applied for variable selection, and partial least-squares (PLS) regression for creation of linear models. A realistic estimation of the prediction performance of the models was obtained by a repeated double cross-validation (rdCV). Reduced data sets with only 15 variables showed improved prediction qualities, in comparison with models containing 235 variables, particularly for the determination of the ethanol concentration in distillation residues (stillages). The squared correlation coefficient, R 2, between the concentrations obtained by HPLC analysis and the concentrations derived from NIR data (using 15 selected wavelengths, test set samples) was 0.999 for ethanol in stillage, and 0.977 for glucose in mash. The standard deviation of prediction errors, SEP, obtained from test set samples was 0.6 g L −1 for ethanol (2% of the mean ethanol concentration), and 2.0 g L −1 for glucose (9.6% of the mean glucose concentration).

Activated sludge process monitoring through in situ near-infrared spectral analysis

The application of near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy for industrial process monitoring is achieving increasing importance over the last twenty years. In fact, the real time monitoring capacity of NIR spectroscopy is a very important feature for process monitoring, prediction and control as it allows a fast evaluation of the state of the process. However, the application of NIR spectroscopy in wastewater treatment processes is still to be explored. Although some applications of the technique for wastewater monitoring have been reported in the literature, there is still a need for more investigation related with applications, limitations and advantages of the technique when compared with other methods. An activated sludge reactor for aerobic treatment of a complex medium was monitored in situ with a NIR transflectance probe and traditional chemical parameters analysed off-line. NIR spectrophotometric data measured at the feed, reactor and settler were coupled to principal component analysis (PCA) to infer about the ability of this monitoring system to detect changes in the feed influent. The analysis of the score plots resulting from PCA permitted to identify the moments at which the perturbations occurred and to follow the consequent instability induced in the reactor till the day where the system is recuperated. The promising results obtained, suggest the interest in more detailed studies on the feasibility of NIR spectroscopy as an alternative method for monitoring and control of wastewater treatment processes.

In situ near Infrared Monitoring of Activated Dairy Sludge Wastewater Treatment Processes

A sequential batch reactor (SBR) for aerobic treatment of dairy residues (activated sludge process) was monitored on-line by near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. NIR spectra in the wavelength range of 900–1700 nm were acquired in situ with a transflectance probe. Measured in situ NIR spectra allowed the development of multivariate statistical process control models for supervision of the SBR process. The directly acquired spectra permitted characterisation of the different SBR operation stages and the detection of process disturbances. Calibration models based on partial least squares regression were developed for three process parameters: total solids (TS), total suspended solids (TSS) and chemical oxygen demand (COD). Model errors were estimated as root mean squared errors of cross-validation. The cross-validation errors obtained were 0.066 g TS L−1, 0.075 g TSS L−1 and 86.6 mg O2 L−1 respectively. Results demonstrated the viability of NIR spectroscopy as an alternative method for monitoring and control of activated sludge wastewater treatment processes having advantages both in terms of efficient determination of process parameters (fast, in situ and requiring no toxic reagents) and in terms of process monitoring.

Monitoring the Settling of Water−Solids−Asphaltenes Aggregates Using In-Line Probe Coupled with a Near-Infrared Spectrophotometer

Zone settling develops when bitumen emulsions are treated with aliphatic solvents at solvent-to-bitumen (S/B) ratios that are higher than a critical value. Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is used in combination with an in-line fiber-optic diffuse transflectance probe to monitor the settling of the water−solids−asphaltenes aggregates in solvent-diluted bitumen. NIR spectra are obtained via the probe that is inserted in the settler, and the settling rate is calculated using the acquired NIR spectroscopic data. It was observed that a lighter aliphatic solvent leads to a much higher settling rate than a heavier aliphatic solvent at the same S/B dilution ratio. For the same solvent, a higher dilution ratio results in a higher settling rate.

Silicone Sensing Phase for Detection of Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Water Employing Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

The use of silicone for detection of aromatic hydrocarbons in water using near-infrared spectroscopy is proposed. A sensing phase of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) was prepared, and a rod of this material was adapted to a transflectance probe for measurements from 850 to 1800 nm. Deionized water samples contaminated separately with known amounts of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and m-xylene were used for evaluation of the PDMS sensing phase, and measurements were made in a closed reactor with constant stirring. Equilibrium states were obtained after 90, 180, 360, and 405 min for benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and m-xylene, respectively. The PDMS sensing phase showed a reversible response, presenting linear response ranges up to 360, 290, 100, and 80 mg L(-1), with detection limits of 8.0, 7.0, 2.6, and 3.0 mg L(-1) for benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and m-xylene, respectively. Reference spectra obtained with different rods showed a relative standard deviation of 0.5%, indicating repeatability in the sensing phase preparation. A relative standard deviation of 6.7% was obtained for measurements performed with six different rods, using a 52 mg L(-1) toluene aqueous solution. The sensing phase was evaluated for identification of sources of contamination of water in simulated studies, employing Brazilian gasoline type A (without ethanol), gasoline type C (with 25% of anhydrous ethanol), and diesel fuel. Principal component analysis was able to classify the water in distinct groups, contaminated by gasoline A, gasoline C, or diesel fuel.

Analysis of Solvent‐Diluted Bitumen from Oil Sands Froth Treatment Using NIR Spectroscopy

AbstractProcess control and optimization of bitumen froth treatment during oil sands processing require rapid analysis of asphaltene content in bitumen, solvent‐tobitumen ratio (S/B), and the density of solvent‐diluted bitumen. NIR spectroscopy was employed to meet this requirement. The NIR system comprised a spectrometer with no moving parts coupled with a double‐pass transflectance probe via a fiber‐optic cable. Quantitative calibration models were established using partial leastsquares regression in latent variables. The standard errors of calibration were 0.20 wt% for 0 to 20 wt% asphaltenes in bitumen, 1.1 wt% for 20 to 100 wt% asphaltenes in bitumen, 0.1 for S/B of solvent‐diluted bitumen, and 0.0017 g/mL for density of solvent‐diluted bitumen. It was shown that the process conditions could be monitored through the spectral scores from principal component analysis.

In-line reaction monitoring of a methyl methacrylate and N, N-dimethylacrylamide copolymerization reaction using near-infrared spectroscopy.

Fast and accurate monitoring of monomer concentration during copolymerization reactions is of much interest. It is known that near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) can be used to monitor polymerization reactions. Here, a free radical solution copolymerization reaction between methyl methacrylate and N,N-dimethylacrylamide is considered. NIR spectra were measured in-line with a transflectance probe. The spectra of both involved monomers are very similar, making monitoring with NIRS challenging. It is shown that the NIRS calibration can be set up with only a few (5) off-line measured mixtures. Several validation methods for such a NIRS calibration model are discussed and tested. NIRS is used to follow conversion of the two monomers in a copolymerization reaction on-line.