Analyser management

Online analysers provide essential measurement data and information on process applications, provided the analyser systems are reliable and accurate. This is often not the case because they regularly fail due to their complexity and sensitivity. In reality, production volumes and compositions seem to deviate considerably from the measured quality and numbers. This can result in a difference of millions of dollars. Losses are always to the detriment of the supplier or buyer. Analyser management therefore contributes significantly to cost savings, also because servicing the equipment can be planned better.

For this, plant IT and engineering supplier Hint from Hattem, the Netherlands, developed the AML automation solution (which stands for Analyser Management, Metering and Loading). Hint specializes in metering and allocation in oil, gas, and petrochemicals. Drawing on their practical experience, the company finds that substantial savings are possible with better analyser management.

Online analysers measure and analyse product flows at plants, drilling platforms, or drilling wells. This yields data about produced quantities and quality, which is used to determine revenues of measurement stations, wells, concessions, and reservoirs (allocation). Analysers are also required for measuring emissions and monitoring process safety. Both of these are required by law.

With AML, operators and managers can monitor the performance of analysers, and perform maintenance. The software package provides an easy way to understand your processes. As the performance of the analyser and flow equipment improves, the equipment becomes more reliable for the operation and it functions on spec. Maintenance costs are reduced and the entire plant is running more efficiently.

Wout Last, president of Hint comments: "Companies in energy production want to do more with fewer people and deliver higher quality at lower costs. Loss of product must be kept to a minimum. Until recently, there was little investment in digital technology to optimize the operation, but I see that changing now. With AML, Hint hopes to show end clients which savings are already possible in the short term, by focusing on analyser management with the help of smart tools."