On-Line Mass Spectrometry:  A Faster Route to Process Monitoring and Control

Abstract

A critical review of on-line mass spectrometry is presented, illustrating instrumentation, data treatment, and applications drawn from both control and research environments. Both direct and membrane inlets are included. The discussion of instrumentation focuses on commercially available options, although some research options that offer promise for future process applications are also mentioned briefly. Special considerations attendant upon the high-precision measurements needed for simultaneous analysis and continuous process control are emphasized. Applications illustrate a range of problems benefitting from rapid, simultaneous analysis of volatiles.

Using quadrupole mass spectrometry for on-line gas analysis – Gasification of biomass and refuse derived fuel

“…However, if the sample was a complex mixture, then considerable errors were noted [8,14]. In attempts to solve this problem, some other methods have been developed [9,14], in which normalization methods are frequently employed.…”

“…Although QMS is already used in many industries, its use for the analysis of fuel gas streams is not so widespread [8,9]. In addition, despite being a well-established technique, there are still some technical difficulties in using it for the on-line analysis of multicomponent gas mixtures.…”

New Developments in Chemical Engineering for the Production of Drug Substances

“…The devices are smaller, easier to maintain and use, and ultimately also less expensive. This is demonstrated in a review article on typical applications of MS in process analysis [64]. The application of MS or MS-MS techniques in process monitoring has already begun [65].…”

On-line detection and quantification of trace impurities in vaporisable samples by direct liquid introduction process mass spectrometry

“…2,8 Quadrupole or magnetic sectors instruments are typically used with electron ionisation. The analysis of liquid samples by process mass spectrometry is not nearly as common as for gases.…”