Process Guardian

New Inprocess Raman Spectrometer for Rack Mounting

© Tornado Spectral Systems

The Process Guardian is a next-generation process Raman spectrometer. Equipped with Tornado Spectral Systems' revolutionary High Throughput Virtual Slit technology (HTVS™), it enables 10 – 40 times the signal yield for more accurate and faster chemical analysis. Previously difficult or impossible PAT applications are feasible with this instrument, such as biopharma USP and DSP or split-second analysis down to the ppm range. Due to the high signal yield, measurements with acceptable measuring times are possible even in ATEX operation (up to zone 0). The spectrometer is explicitly designed for in-process use: It fits into typical 19" racks and has ModBus or OPC connectivity.

Advantages

• Explicit PAT Raman for process control.
• Proven High Throughput Virtual Slit technology ensures.
• Exceptional signal-to-noise ratio and fastest measurements.
• Compatible with many popular immersion and contact probes.
• Flow cells for biopharma DSP applications.
• Maintenance-free system with long-life 785 nm Raman laser.
• ModBus and OPC connectivity for easy implementation into customer process control system.
• Integrated prediction modules for SIMCA, Panorama and Peaxact.
• Documents for GMP compliant validation.
• Also available as ATEX version for safe use in EX zone 0.
• Optional four- or eight-fold multiplex variant for cost savings when equipping several production lines.

Typical areas of application for the Process Guardian

The Process Guardian enables a variety of different real-time reaction monitoring, e.g.:

• Classical chemical reaction monitoring
• Biopharma USP and DSP
• Polymorphism
• Distillations
• Solvent analysis
• ppm analysis

How does the Process Guardian work?

The Process Guardian is a Raman spectrometer. The substance to be examined is irradiated with a laser and the generated signal ("Raman photons") is analyzed at the detector. The Raman scattering depends on the type and structure of the analytes. Thus, molecule-specific measurements can be performed. Raman spectroscopy depends on a very good signal yield, because only one in about 1 million scattered laser photons is a usable Raman photon (more details about Raman spectroscopy here). The photon yield of conventional Raman spectrometers suffers from the fact that the incoming signals are classically truncated at an input slit, because the detectors cannot process round signals from the light guide. Losses of up to 95% are not uncommon! In contrast, the High Throughput Virtual Slit technology processes photons much more efficiently: Instead of discarding the photons that are cut away, they are superimposed on each other via a fixed mirror system in the spectrometer in such a way that almost 95% of all incoming photons arrive at the detector. Process spectrometers with HTVS™ are therefore significantly faster and deliver an unprecedented signal-to-noise ratio.

What makes the Process Guardian so unique?

Unprecedented signal yield results in tremendous speed and sensitivity. Consistent process-oriented design with direct 19" rack mounting and on-site operability without separate computer via integrated rugged display. Customized measuring probes, four- and eightfold multiplex as well as an optional ATEX rating for zone 0 - here a process Raman has been developed, which is strictly oriented to the requirements of the chemical and pharmaceutical industry.

Feasibility studies & chemometric support

Process analysical technologies benefit those who use a first-class spectrometer and create reliable chemometric models.
We provide support in evaluating the feasibility of analytical issues, e.g. with trial measurements in our laboratory or at the customer's site.

For more detailed studies or complete chemometric modeling, we work with partners who are absolute experts in this field, e.g. S-PACT from Aachen or LabCognition from Cologne.

In this way, customers receive a complete package to get off to a successful start in PAT.