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Bei der Entwicklung pharmazeutischer Wirkstoffe werfen Substanzen mit einer geringen Löslichkeit, Auflösungsrate und damit einhergehend schlechten Bioverfügbarkeit immer größere Probleme auf. Diese Eigenschaften und nicht etwa toxikologische Eigenschaften oder schlechte Wirksamkeit sorgen dafür, dass es weniger als 1 % aller Wirkstoffe bis in die Markteinführung schaffen. Eine Reihe von Ansätzen zur Verbesserung der schlechten Wasserlöslichkeit konnten bereits etabliert werden. Hierunter zählen die gezielte Salzbildung bzw. Salzscreening, Solubilisierung mit Cosolventien oder die Nutzung von Polymeren als mögliche Transportwege. Eine weitere Möglichkeit bietet die Bildung verschiedener polymorpher Formen, sowohl der Einzelkomponente als auch von den verschiedenen Mehrkomponentenverbindungen.
Online NMR spectroscopy is an excellent tool to study complex reacting multicomponent mixtures and gain process insight and understanding. For online studies under process conditions, flow NMR probes can be used in a wide range of temperature and pressure. This paper compiles the most important aspects towards quantitative process NMR spectroscopy in complex multicomponent mixtures and provides examples. After NMR spectroscopy is introduced as an online method and for technical samples without sample preparation in deuterated solvents, influences of the residence time distribution, pre-magnetization, and cell design are discussed. NMR acquisition and processing parameters as well as data preparation methods are presented and the most practical data analysis strategies are introduced.
Die Entwicklung innovativer Medium-Resolution-NMR-Spektrometer eröffnet eine Reihe bemerkenswerter Applikationen für die Qualitätskontrolle, die akademische Ausbildung und die Prozessanalytik. Die Verwendung von Permanentmagneten erlaubt den Einsatz der NMR-Spektroskopie in industriellen Prozessumgebungen.
Medium resolution nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MR-NMR) currently develops to an important analytical tool for both quality control and process monitoring. One of the fundamental acceptance criteria for online MR-MNR spectroscopy is a robust data treatment and evaluation strategy with the potential for automation. The MR-NMR spectra were treated by an automated baseline and phase correction using the minimum entropy method. The evaluation strategies comprised direct integration, automated line fitting, indirect hard modeling, and partial least squares regression.
Medium resolution nuclear magnetic resonance (MR-NMR) spectroscopy is currently a fast developing field, which has an enormous potential to become an important analytical tool for reaction monitoring, in hyphenated techniques, and for systematic investigations of complex mixtures. The recent developments of innovative MR-NMR spectrometers are therefore remarkable due to their possible applications in quality control, education, and process monitoring. MR-NMR spectroscopy can beneficially be applied for fast, non-invasive, and volume integrating analyses under rough environmental conditions.
Within this study, a simple 1/16'' fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) tube with an ID of 0.04'' (1.02 mm) was used as a flow cell in combination with a 5 mm glass Dewar tube inserted into a benchtop MR-NMR spectrometer with a 1H Larmor frequency of 43.32 MHz and 40.68 MHz for 19F. For the first time, quasi-simultaneous proton and fluorine NMR spectra were recorded with a series of alternating 19F and 1H single scan spectra along the reaction time coordinate of a homogeneously catalysed esterification model reaction containing fluorinated compounds. The results were compared to quantitative NMR spectra from a hyphenated 500 MHz online NMR instrument for validation. Automation of handling, pre-processing, and analysis of NMR data becomes increasingly important for process monitoring applications of online NMR spectroscopy and for its technical and practical acceptance. Thus, NMR spectra were automatically baseline corrected and phased using the minimum entropy method. Data analysis schemes were designed such that they are based on simple direct integration or first principle line fitting, with the aim that the analysis directly revealed molar concentrations from the spectra.
Finally, the performance of 1/16'' FEP tube set-up with an ID of 1.02 mm was characterised regarding the limit of detection (LOQ (1H) = 0.335 mol L-1 and LOQ (19F) = 0.130 mol L-1 for trifluoroethanol in D2O (single scan)) and maximum quantitative flow rates up to 0.3 mL min-1. Thus, a series of single scan 19F and 1H NMR spectra acquired with this simple set-up already presents a valuable basis for quantitative reaction monitoring.
Medium-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MR-NMR) currently develops to an important analytical tool for both quality control and processmonitoring. In contrast to high-resolution onlineNMR (HR-NMR),MR-NMRcan be operated under rough environmental conditions. A continuous re-circulating stream of reaction mixture fromthe reaction vessel to the NMR spectrometer enables a non-invasive, volume integrating online analysis of reactants and products. Here, we investigate the esterification of 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol with acetic acid to 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl acetate both by 1H HR-NMR (500MHz) and 1H and 19F MRNMR (43MHz) as amodel system. The parallel online measurement is realised by splitting the flow,which allows the adjustment of quantitative and independent flow rates, both in the HR-NMR probe as well as in the MR-NMR probe, in addition to a fast bypass line back to the reactor. One of the fundamental acceptance criteria for online MR-MNR spectroscopy is a robust data treatment and evaluation strategy with the potential for automation. The MR-NMR spectra are treated by an automated baseline and phase correction using the minimum entropy method. The evaluation strategies comprise (i) direct integration, (ii) automated line fitting, (iii) indirect hard modelling (IHM) and (iv) partial least squares regression (PLS-R). To assess the potential of these evaluation strategies for MR-NMR, prediction results are compared with the line fitting data derived from the quantitative HR-NMR spectroscopy. Although, superior results are obtained from both IHM and PLS-R for 1H MR-NMR, especially the latter demands for elaborate data pretreatment, whereas IHM models needed no previous alignment.
The CCQM-K148.a comparison was coordinated by the BIPM on behalf of the CCQM Organic Analysis Working Group for NMIs and DIs which provide measurement services in organic analysis under the CIPM MRA. It was undertaken as a "Track A" comparison within the OAWG strategic plan. CCQM-K148.a demonstrates capabilities for assigning the mass fraction content of a solid organic compound having moderate molecular complexity, where the compound has a molar mass in the range (75 - 500) g/mol and is non-polar (pKow < −2), when present as the primary organic component in a neat organic solid and where the mass fraction content of the primary component in the material is in excess of 950 mg/g.
Participants were required to report the mass fraction of Bisphenol A present in one supplied unit of the comparison material. Participants using a mass balance method for the assignment were also required to report their assignments of the impurity components present in the material. Methods used by the seventeen participating NMIs or DIs were predominantly based on either stand-alone mass balance (summation of impurities) or qNMR approaches, or the combination of data obtained using both methods. The results obtained using thermal methods based on freezing-point depression methods were also reported by a limited number of participants. There was excellent agreement between assignments obtained using all three approaches to assign the BPA content.
The assignment of the values for the mass fraction content of BPA consistent with the KCRV was achieved by most of the comparison participants with an associated relative standard uncertainty in the assigned value in the range (0.1 - 0.5)%.
Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is a promising candidate for low-cost, nondestructive, and high-throughput mass quantification of micro¬plastics in environmental samples. Widespread application of the technique is currently hampered mainly by the low sensitivity of NIR spectroscopy compared to thermo-analytical approaches commonly used for this type of analysis. This study shows how the application of NIR spectroscopy for mass quantification of microplastics can be extended to smaller analyte levels by combining it with a simple and rapid microplastic enrichment protocol. For this purpose, the widely used flotation of microplastics in a NaCl solution, accelerated by centrifugation, was chosen which allowed to remove up to 99 % of the matrix at recovery rates of 83–104 %. The spectroscopic measurements took place directly on the stainless-steel filters used to collect the extracted particles to reduce sample handling to a minimum. Partial least squares regression (PLSR) models were used to identify and quantify the extracted microplastics in the mass range of 1–10 mg. The simple and fast extraction procedure was systematically optimized to meet the requirements for the quantification of microplastics from common PE-, PP-, and PS-based packaging materials with a particle size < 1 mm found in compost or soils with high natural organic matter content (> 10 % determined by loss on ignition). Microplastics could be detected in model samples at a mass fraction of 1 mg g-1. The detectable microplastic mass fraction is about an order of magnitude lower compared to previous studies using NIR spectroscopy without additional enrichment. To emphasize the cost-effectiveness of the method, it was implemented using some of the cheapest and most compact NIR spectrometers available.
Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is a promising candidate for low-cost, nondestructive, and highthroughput mass quantification of microplastics in environmental samples. Widespread application of the technique is currently hampered mainly by the low sensitivity of NIR spectroscopy compared to thermoanalytical approaches commonly used for this type of analysis. This study shows how the application of NIR spectroscopy for mass quantification of microplastics can be extended to smaller analyte levels by combining it with a simple and rapid microplastic enrichment protocol. For this purpose, the widely used flotation of microplastics in a NaCl solution, accelerated by centrifugation, was chosen which allowed to remove up to 99 % of the matrix at recovery rates of 83–104 %. The spectroscopic measurements took place directly on the stainless-steel filters used to collect the extracted particles to reduce sample handling to a minimum. Partial least squares regression (PLSR) models were used to identify and quantify the extracted microplastics in the mass range of 1–10 mg.
The simple and fast extraction procedure was systematically optimized to meet the requirements for the quantification of microplastics from common PE-, PP-, and PS-based packaging materials with a particle size < 1 mm found in compost or soils with high natural organic matter content (> 10 % determined by loss on ignition). Microplastics could be detected in model samples at a mass fraction of 1 mg g-1. The detectable microplastic mass fraction is about an order of magnitude lower compared to previous studies using NIR spectroscopy without additional enrichment. To emphasize the cost-effectiveness of the method, it was implemented using some of the cheapest and most
compact NIR spectrometers available.
Nonporous corundum powder, known as an abrasive material in the industry, was functionalized covalently with protein binders to isolate and enrich specific proteins from complex matrices. The materials based on corundum were characterized by TEM, ESEM, BET, DLS, EDS, and zeta potential measurements. The strong Al-O-P bonds between the corundum surface and amino phosphonic acids were used to introduce functional groups for further conjugations. The common crosslinker glutaraldehyde was compared with a hyperbranched polyglycerol (PG) of around 10 kDa. The latter was oxidized with periodate to generate aldehyde groups that can covalently react with the amines of the surface and the amino groups from the protein via a reductive amination process. The amount of bound protein was quantified via aromatic amino acid analysis (AAAA). This work shows that oxidized polyglycerol can be used as an alternative to glutaraldehyde. With polyglycerol, more of the model protein bovine serum albumin (BSA) could be attached to the surface under the same conditions, and lower non-specific binding (NSB) was observed. As a proof of concept, IgG was extracted with protein A from crude human plasma. The purity of the product was examined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). A binding capacity of 1.8 mg IgG per gram of corundum powder was achieved. The advantages of corundum include the very low price, extremely high physical and chemical stability, pressure resistance, favorable binding kinetics, convenient handling, and flexible application.
Plastic pollution is the biggest environmental concern of our time. Breakdown products like micro- and nanoplastics inevitably enter the food chain and pose unprecedented health risks. In this scenario, bio-based and biodegradable plastic alternatives have been given a momentum aiming to bridge a transition towards a more sustainable future. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are one of the few thermoplastic polymers synthesized 100 % via biotechnological routes which fully biodegrade in common natural environments. Poly(hydroxybutyrate-cohydroxyhexanoate) [P(HB-co-HHx)] is a PHA copolymer with great potential for the commodity polymers industry, as its mechanical properties can be tailored through fine-tuning of its molar HHx content. We have recently developed a strategy that enables for reliable tailoring of the monomer content of P(HB-co-HHx).
Nevertheless, there is often a lack of comprehensive investigation of the material properties of PHAs to evaluate whether they actually mimic the functionalities of conventional plastics. We present a detailed study of P(HB-co-HHx) copolymers with low to moderate hydroxyhexanoate content to understand how the HHx monomer content influences the thermal and mechanical properties and to link those to their abiotic degradation. By increasing the HHx fractions in the range of 2 – 14 mol%, we impart an extension of the processing window and application range as the melting temperature (Tm) and glass temperature (Tg) of the copolymers decrease from Tm 165 ◦C to 126 ◦C, Tg 4 ◦C to − 5.9 ◦C, accompanied by reduced crystallinity from 54 % to 20 %.
Elongation at break was increased from 5.7 % up to 703 % at 14 mol% HHx content, confirming that the range examined was sufficiently large to obtain ductile and brittle copolymers, while tensile strength was maintained throughout the studied range. Finally, accelerated abiotic degradation was shown to be slowed down with an increasing HHx fraction decreasing from 70 % to 55 % in 12 h.
Quantitative 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (qNMR) of aromatic amino acids for protein quantification
(2022)
qNMR is a valuable technique for metrological studies due to the uniformity of its signal response for all chemical species of an isotope of interest, which enables compound-independent calibration. However, protein quantification remained challenging as large molecules produce wide, low-intensity signals that reduce the already low sensitivity. Combining qNMR with the hydrolysis of protein samples into amino acids circumvents many of these issues and facilitates the use of NMR spectroscopy for absolute protein and peptide quantification.In this work, different conditions have been tested for quantifying aromatic amino acids and proteins. First, we examined the pH-based signal shifts in the aromatic region. The preferable pH depends on the selection of the amino acids for quantification and which internal standard substance should be used to avoid peak overlap. Several aromatic compounds, such as terephthalic acid, sulfoisophthalic acid, and benzene tricarboxylic acid, have been applied as internal standards. The quantification of amino acids from an amino acid standard, as well as from a certified reference material (bovine serum albumin), was performed. Using the first two suggested internal standards, recovery was ~ 97 % for histidine, phenylalanine, and tyrosine at a concentration of approximately 1 mM in solution. Acidic hydrolysis of a certified reference material (CRM) of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and subsequent quantification of Phe and Tyr yielded recoveries of 98 ± 2 and 88 ± 4 %, respectively, at a protein concentration of 16 g/L or 250 µM.
Quantitative 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (qNMR) of aromatic amino acids for protein quantification
(2023)
Hydrolysis of protein samples into amino acids facilitates the use of NMR spectroscopy for protein and peptide quantification. Different conditions have been tested for quantifying aromatic amino acids and proteins. The pH-dependent signal shifts in the aromatic region of amino acid samples were examined. A pH of 12 was found to minimize signal overlap of the four aromatic amino acids. Several aromatic compounds, such as terephthalic acid, sulfoisophthalic acid, and benzene tricarboxylic acid, were applied as internal standards. The quantification of amino acids from an amino acid standard was performed. Using the first two suggested internal standards, recovery was ~97% for histidine, phenylalanine, and tyrosine at a concentration of approximately 1 mM in solution. Acidic hydrolysis of a certified reference material (CRM) of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and subsequent quantification of Phe and Tyr yielded recoveries of 98% ± 2% and 88% ± 4%, respectively, at a protein concentration of 16 g/L or 250 µM.
Ratiometric green–red fluorescent nanosensors for fluorometrically monitoring pH in the acidic range were designed from 80 nm-sized polystyrene (PS) and silica (SiO2) nanoparticles (NPs), red emissive reference dyes, and a green emissive naphthalimide pH probe, analytically and spectroscopically characterized, and compared regarding their sensing performance in aqueous dispersion and in cellular uptake studies. Preparation of these optical probes, which are excitable by 405 nm laser or LED light sources, involved the encapsulation of the pH-inert red-fuorescent dye Nile Red (NR) in the core of self-made carboxylated PSNPs by a simple swelling procedure and the fabrication of rhodamine B (RhB)-stained SiO2-NPs from a silane derivative of pH-insensitive RhB. Subsequently, the custom-made naphthalimide pH probe, that utilizes a protonation-controlled photoinduced electron transfer process, was covalently attached to the carboxylic acid groups at the surface of both types of NPs. Fluorescence microscopy studies with the molecular and nanoscale optical probes and A549 lung cancer cells confirmed the cellular uptake of all probes and their penetration into acidic cell compartments, i.e., the lysosomes, indicated by the switching ON of the green naphthalimide fluorescence. This underlines their suitability for intracellular pH sensing, with the SiO2-based nanosensor revealing the best performance regarding uptake speed and stability.
The Collaborative Research Center InPROMPT aims to establish a novel process concept for the hydroformylation of long-chained olefins, using a rhodium complex as catalyst in the presence of syngas. Recently, the hydroformylation in micro-emulsions, which allows for the efficient recycling of the expensive rhodium catalyst, was found to be feasible. However, the temperature and concentration sensitive multi-phase system demands a continuous observation of the reaction to achieve an operational and economically feasible plant operation. For that purpose, we tested the potential of both NMR and Raman spectroscopy for process control assistance. The lab-scale experiments were supported by sampling for off-line GC-analysis as reference analytics. The results of the NMR experiments will be part of another contribution.
A major industrial reaction based on homogeneous catalysis is hydroformylation for the production of aldehydes from alkenes and syngas. Hydroformylation in microemulsions, which is currently under investigation at Technische Universität Berlin on a mini-plant scale, was identified as a cost efficient approach which also enhances product selectivity. Herein, we present the application of online Raman spectroscopy on the reaction of 1-dodecene to 1-tridecanal within a microemulsion. To achieve a good representation of the operation range in the mini-plant with regard to concentrations of the reactants a design of experiments was used. Based on initial Raman spectra partial least squares regression (PLSR) models were calibrated for the prediction of 1-dodecene and 1-tridecanal. Limits of predictions arise from nonlinear correlations between Raman intensity and mass fractions of compounds in the microemulsion system. Furthermore, the prediction power of PLSR models becomes limited due to unexpected by-product formation. Application of the lab-scale derived calibration spectra and PLSR models on online spectra from a mini-plant operation yielded promising estimations of 1-tridecanal and acceptable predictions of 1-dodecene mass fractions suggesting Raman spectroscopy as a suitable technique for process analytics in microemulsions.
Reaction monitoring in disperse systems, such as emulsions, is of significant technical importance in various disciplines like biotechnological engineering, chemical industry, food science, and a growing number other technical fields. These systems pose several challenges when it comes to process analytics, such as heterogeneity of mixtures, changes in optical behavior, and low optical activity. Concerning this, online nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a powerful technique for process monitoring in complex reaction mixtures due to its unique direct comparison abilities, while at the same time being non-invasive and independent of optical properties of the sample. In this study the applicability of online-spectroscopic methods on the homogeneously catalyzed hydroformylation system of 1-dodecene to tridecanal is investigated, which is operated in a mini-plant scale at Technische Universität Berlin. The design of a laboratory setup for process-like calibration experiments is presented, including a 500 MHz online NMR spectrometer, a benchtop NMR device with 43 MHz proton frequency as well as two Raman probes and a flow cell assembly for an ultraviolet and visible light (UV/VIS) spectrometer. Results of high-resolution online NMR spectroscopy are shown and technical as well as process-specific problems observed during the measurements are discussed.
Homogen katalysierte Reaktionen sind wichtige Werkzeuge der chemischen Industrie. Milde Reaktionsbedingungen und hohe Selektivitäten führen zu einer energie- und ressourcenschonenden Produktion. Ein bedeutender Prozessschritt ist die Hydroformylierung. Hier kommen Kobalt- und Rhodiumkomplexe mit mehrzähnigen Liganden zum Einsatz, die zumeist in wässriger Lösung vorliegen. Die Anwendbarkeit beschränkt sich demnach auf kurzkettige Edukte mit hinreichender Wasserlöslichkeit.
Hydroformylation represents an important homogeneous catalyzed process, which is widely used within chemical industry. Usually applied with simple alkenes like Propene and Butene aldehydes obtained from alkenes >C6 are relevant intermediates in production of plasticizers, surfactants and polymers. Today the active catalyst species is often based on valuable Rhodium complexes in aqueous solution. This implies the problem of limited water solubility of the reactands, which is acceptable for short chain lengths, but states a problem in case of higher alkenes. Along with that efficient separation and recycling of the catalyst becomes more complicated. There are different approaches tackling this problem, e.g., by using of salt formation in the BASF process or downstream distillation within the Shell process
Quantitative NMR spectroscopy for gas analysis for production of primary reference gas mixtures
(2017)
Due to its direct correlation to the number of spins within a sample quantitative NMR spectroscopy (qNMR) is a promising method with absolute comparison abilities in complex systems in technical, as well as metrological applications. Most of the samples studied with qNMR are in liquid state in diluted solutions, while gas-phase applications represent a rarely applied case. Commercially available NMR equipment was used for purity assessment of liquid and liquefied hydrocarbons serving as raw materials for production of primary reference gas standards. Additionally, gas-phase studies were performed within an online NMR flow probe, as well as in a high-pressure NMR setup to check feasibility as verification method for the composition of gas mixtures.
Within the Collaborative Research Center InPROMPT a novel process concept for the hydroformylation of long-chained olefins is studied in a mini-plant, using a rhodium complex as catalyst in the presence of syngas. Recently, the hydroformylation in micro¬emulsions, which allows for the efficient recycling of the expensive rhodium catalyst, was found to be feasible. However, the high sensitivity of this multi-phase system with regard to changes in temperature and composition demands a continuous observation of the reaction to achieve a reliable and economic plant operation. For that purpose, we tested the potential of both online NMR and Raman spectroscopy for process control. The lab-scale experiments were supported by off-line GC-analysis as a reference method.
A fiber optic coupled probe of a process Raman spectrometer was directly integrated into the reactor. 25 mixtures with varying concentrations of olefin (1-dodecene), product (n-tridecanal), water, n-dodecane, and technical surfactant (Marlipal 24/70) were prepared according to a D-optimal design. Online NMR spectroscopy was implemented by using a flow probe equipped with 1/16” PFA tubing serving as a flow cell. This was hyphenated to the reactor within a thermostated bypass to maintain process conditions in the transfer lines.
Partial least squares regression (PLSR) models were established based on the initial spectra after activation of the reaction with syngas for the prediction of unknown concentrations of 1-dodecene and n-tridecanal over the course of the reaction in the lab-scale system. The obtained Raman spectra do not only contain information on the chemical composition but are further affected by the emulsion properties of the mixtures, which depend on the phase state and the type of micelles. Based on the spectral signature of both Raman and NMR spectra, it could be deduced that especially in reaction mixtures with high 1-dodecene content the formation of isomers as a competitive reaction was dominating. Similar trends were also observed during some of the process runs in the mini-plant. The multivariate calibration allowed for the estimation of reactants and products of the hydroformylation reaction in both laboratory setup and mini-plant.
Die quantitative NMR-Spektroskopie (qNMR) gewinnt in den letzten Jahren immer mehr an Bedeutung, speziell hinsichtlich der Anwendung auf komplexe Fragestellungen der analytischen Chemie. Ein großer Vorteil dieser Methode ist die Möglichkeit der Relativquantifizierung durch das „Zählen von Kernspins" in der Probe. Unter der Voraussetzung eines korrekt ausgeführten NMR-Experiments ist so der direkte Vergleich von Signalflächen im Spektrum möglich, ohne dass zuvor zwingend eine Kalibrierung notwendig ist.
There is a need within the NMR community to progress forward in exploring new facets in which we can use analytical techniques to advance our understanding of various systems. One aspect the NMR community hasn’t fully encompassed is the validation process, which also involves setting reference standards, establishing a common language that directly relates to NMR, communication relating to validation, and much more.
This workshopcontribution starts with an overview on international metrology for qNMR spectroscopy. Since NMR is completely described by mathematical equations, the measurement unceartainty can directly be dreived from formula. Examples are presented. These are differentiated between type A and B evaluations. Finally the Expanded Unceartainty is defined. Since the user needs a risk-based unceartainty assessment, different "leagues" for routine, advanced, and high level needs are proposed to make clear, that no all sources of uncertainty have to be taken in considerention at practical levels.
Die Abtrennung von CO2 aus industriellen Gasströmen ist eine großtechnisch wichtige Trennaufgabe. Neben der Aufarbeitung von Erdgas werden diese Verfahren zur Verminderung der CO2-Emission durch industrielle Rauchgase, insbesondere für alternativlose Prozesse wie die Stahl- und Zementproduktion diskutiert.
Compact nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) instruments make NMR spectroscopy and relaxometry accessible in industrial and harsh environments for reaction and process control. An increasing number of applications are reported. To build an interdisciplinary bridge between “process control” and “compact NMR”,we give a short overviewon current developments in the field of process Engineering such as modern process design, integrated processes, intensified processes along with requirements to process control, model based control, or soft sensing. Finally, robust field integration of NMR systems into processes environments, facing explosion protection or Integration into process control systems, are briefly discussed.
Hochdruck NMR-Spektroskopie
(2017)
Der Einsatz der quantitativen Kernspinresonanzspektroskopie (NMR-Spektroskopie) in technischen Mischungen stellt einen vielversprechenden Ansatz für die Verfolgung und Kontrolle von Abläufen innerhalb chemischer Produktionsprozesse dar. Die Möglichkeit der direkten Relativquantifizierung ohne Notwendigkeit der Zugabe von Standards oder einer vorherigen Kalibrierung, vergleichbar mit einem simplen „Zählen“ von Kernspins im Messvolumen, macht die Methode darüber hinaus besonders interessant für metrologische Fragestellungen. Im ersten Teil dieser Dissertation wird die Entwicklung von Hochdruckmethoden für Anwendungen in der Gasmetrologie thematisiert. Als ergänzende Analysenmethode liefert die NMR-Spektroskopie hier wichtige Erkenntnisse zur Unterstützung der Herstellung hochgenauer Gas- und Flüssiggasgemische. Der zweite Teil beinhaltet Anwendungsbeispiele für die Prozessanalytik an technischen Systeme auf Basis von Online-NMR- und -Raman-Spektroskopie anhand der industriell relevanten Verfahren der CO2 Absorption in wässrigen Alkanolaminlösungen, sowie der Hydroformylierung langkettiger Alkene in einer Mikroemulsion.
The field of gas metrology is dealing with the development and improvement of gas analytical methods, as well as production of highly accurate primary reference standards. These are prepared at national metrological institutes (NMI) and represent the highest national level of traceability. Used for certification of secondary standards provided by specialty gas distributors these are very important for a high number of industrial sectors, which have to proof traceability due to legal or regulatory affairs, e.g., natural gas suppliers. Thus, improvements in the production and certification of these mixtures will have a direct influence on gas industry.
Due to its direct correlation to the number of spins within active sample volume quantitative NMR spectroscopy (qNMR) is a highly promising method with absolute comparison abilities in complex systems. Especially for liquefied petroleum gases (LPG) it has the ability of studying the unmodified sample at same conditions like in the cylinder. In contrast to gas chromatography no preparation steps and no changes like evaporation of the sample are necessary.
In this work we show the most recent results of our investigations on highly accurate LPG mixtures provided in constant-pressure piston cylinders. A dynamic pressure-resistant setup allows for sampling and circulation of the samples to ensure a homogeneous withdrawal from the cylinder. This is presented on examples of a commercial multicomponent LPG mixture obtained from specialty gas distributor, as well as two cylinders from the key comparison CCQM-K119 at highest level of international metrology.
Recent technical developments of NMR instruments such as in acquisition electronics and probe design allow detection limits of components in liquid mixtures in the lower ppm range (approx.. 5–10 ppm amount of substance). The major advantage of quantitative NMR spectroscopy (qNMR) is that it is a direct ratio method of analysis without the need of calibration. This means that the signal for a specific NMR-active nucleus (e.g., a proton) in an analyte can be compared and quantified by reference to a different nucleus of a separate compound, comparable to a counting of spins in the active volume of the spectrometer.
A special application of qNMR in technical mixtures is the observation in the gas phase, which is rarely applied compared to liquid and solid NMR studies. Because of the low density it results in a reduced sensitivity, which can be improved by applying pressure. Therefore a high-pressure NMR setup was developed based on a commercially available NMR tube made of zirconia. This is currently tested up to 20 MPa, but can be extended up to 100 MPa with regard to pressure rating of its components. This work shows results of gas-phase application on natural-gas like reference gas mixtures produced at BAM, as well as investigations on liquefied petroleum gas mixtures (LPG) with high accuracy provided in constant-pressure piston cylinders.
Compact nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) instruments make NMR spectroscopy and relaxometry accessible in industrial and harsh environments for reaction and process control. An increasing number of applications are reported. Robust field integration of NMR systems have to face explosion protection or integration into process control systems with short set-up times. Tis paves the way for industrial automation in real process environments.
Automated data preparation and analysis are cornerstones for a breakthrough of NMR techniques for process control. Particularly, robust chemometrics as well as automated signal processing methods have to be (further) developed especially for NMR spectroscopy in process control. This becomes even more important for so called “smart sensors” providing the basis for the future project “Industrie 4.0”, and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), along with current requirements to process control, model based control, or soft sensing. Data analysis techniques are available but currently mostly used for off-line data analysis to detect the causes of variations in the product quality.
Der Vortrag gibt eine Übersicht über aktuelle qNMR-Aktivitäten im Fachbereich 1.4. Dies umfasst beispielsweise die Online-Anwendung zur Prozessüberwachung, aber auch die Reinheitsuntersuchung von Reinstoffkomponenten für die Herstellung von Referenzgasgemischen. Zusätzlich wird ein Ausblick in die aktuelle Strategie hinsichtlich der Rückführung von qNMR-Ergebnissen mittels primärer Referenzmaterialien gegeben.
Due to its advantages of being a direct comparison method, quantitative NMR spectroscopy (qNMR) becomes more and more popular in industry. While conventional high-field NMR systems are often associated with high investment and operational costs, the upcoming market of permanent-magnet based benchtop NMR systems show a considerable option for a lot of applications. The mobility of these systems allows to bring them more closely to the real production environment, e.g. for at-line quality control.
In this work we present an interlaboratory comparison study investigating the qNMR performance of state-of-the-art benchtop NMR spectrometers. Therefore, BAM prepared two samples of a mixture of NMR reference standards tetramethylbenzene (TMB) and tetrachloronitrobenzene (TCNB) at concentration levels of 200 mM and 10 mM. These “ready-to-use” samples were sent to participant laboratories, which performed analysis on their benchtop NMR equipment of different vendors and fields from 43 to 80 MHz. Raw data was reported back and further investigated by using different data analysis methods at BAM.
After this very first qNMR comparison study of benchtop NMR spectrometers show promising results, following studies are planned to cover more parts of the qNMR process, e.g. sample preparation and weighing, but also data analysis, as commonly done in similar studies for high-field NMR spectroscopy in industry and metrology.
Die NMR-Spektroskopie stellt heutzutage eine der wichtigsten Analysenmethoden in der organischen Chemie dar. Während der Großteil aller Untersuchungen qualitativ mit dem Ziel der Stoffidentifikation und Strukturaufklärung erfolgt, erlangt die quantitative NMR-Spektroskopie (qNMR) zunehmend an Bedeutung in Forschung und Industrie. Der entscheidende Vorteil gegenüber anderen Analysenmethoden liegt in der direkten Proportionalität der Signalfläche zur Anzahl Kernspins im Messvolumen. Dies erlaubt eine kalibrationsfreie Relativquantifizierung. Zur Absolutquantifizierung reicht die Zugabe einer definierten Menge eines vom Analyten unabhängigen NMR-Standards aus.
Trotz dieser Vorteile findet sich die qNMR bislang nur vereinzelt in Normen und Standardverfahren wieder. Zahlreiche Ringversuche in Metrologie und Industrie demonstrieren die Leistungsfähigkeit moderner NMR-Spektrometer und stärken das Vertrauen in die Methode. Die Entwicklung von Validierungskonzepten, sowie die kommerzielle Verfügbarkeit geeigneter zertifizierter Referenzmaterialien erleichtern die Anwendung, insbesondere im zumeist stark regulierten industriellen Umfeld.
Neben etablierten Hochfeld-NMR Spektrometern hat sich in den letzten Jahren ein stark wachsender Markt für kompakte Benchtop-NMR Geräte auf Permanentmagnetbasis entwickelt. Die geringeren Anschaffungs- und Betriebskosten, sowie die einfache Bedienbarkeit erlaubt es auch kleineren Unternehmen in diese Analysenmethode einzusteigen. Weiterhin besteht die Möglichkeit diese mobilen Systeme näher an die Produktion zu bringen, welches von der klassischen Qualitätskontrolle bis hin zur Online-Prozesskontrolle als vollautomatisierter Analysator reicht. Die geringere Feldstärke der Systeme erfordert hier oft den Einsatz modellbasierter Ansätze zur Spektrenauswertung (z.B. Indirect Hard Modeling).
Dieser Beitrag gibt eine Übersicht über aktuelle Anwendungen und Entwicklungen der qNMR von der universellen, hochgenauen Labormethode bis hin zur robusten Anwendung als Online-Analysator im Feld.
Due to its advantages of being a direct comparison method, quantitative NMR spectroscopy (qNMR) becomes more and more popular in industry. While conventional high-field NMR systems are often associated with high investment and operational costs, the upcoming market of permanent-magnet based benchtop NMR systems show a considerable option for a lot of applications. The mobility of these systems allows to bring them more closely to the real production environment, e.g. for at-line quality control.
In this work we present an interlaboratory comparison study investigating the qNMR performance of state-of-the-art benchtop NMR spectrometers. Therefore, BAM prepared two samples of a mixture of NMR reference standards tetramethylbenzene (TMB) and tetrachloronitrobenzene (TCNB) at concentration levels of 200 mM and 10 mM. These “ready-to-use” samples were sent to participant laboratories, which performed analysis on their benchtop NMR equipment of different vendors and fields from 43 to 80 MHz. Raw data was reported back and further investigated by using different data analysis methods at BAM.
After this very first qNMR comparison study of benchtop NMR spectrometers show promising results, following studies are planned to cover more parts of the qNMR process, e.g. sample preparation and weighing, but also data analysis, as commonly done in similar studies for high-field NMR spectroscopy in industry and metrology.
Recent technical developments of NMR instruments such as in acquisition electronics and probe design allow detection limits of components in liquid mixtures in the lower ppm range (approx.. 5–10ppm amount of substance). The major advantage of quantitative NMR spectroscopy (qNMR) is that it is a direct ratio method of analysis without the need of calibration. This means that the signal for a specific NMR-active nucleus (e.g., a proton) in an analyte can be compared and quantified by reference to a different nucleus of a separate compound,
comparable to a counting of spins in the active volume of the spectrometer. A special application of qNMR in technical mixtures is the observation in the gas phase, which is rarely applied compared to liquid and solid NMR studies. Because of the low density it results in a reduced sensitivity, which can be improved by applying pressure. Therefore a high-pressure NMR setup was developed based on a commercially available NMR tube made of zirconia.
This is currently tested up to 20 MPa, but can be extended up to 100 MPa with regard to pressure rating of its components. This work shows results of gas-phase application on natural-gas like reference gas mixtures produced at BAM, as well as investigations on liquefied petroleum gas mixtures (LPG) with high accuracy provided in constant pressure piston cylinders.
Within the Collaborative Research Center InPROMPT a novel process concept for the hydroformylation of long-chained olefins is studied in a mini-plant, using a rhodium complex as catalyst in the presence of syngas. Recently, the hydroformylation in micro¬emulsions, which allows for the efficient recycling of the expensive rhodium catalyst, was found to be feasible. However, the high sensitivity of this multi-phase system with regard to changes in temperature and composition demands a continuous observation of the reaction to achieve a reliable and economic plant operation. For that purpose, we tested the potential of both online NMR and Raman spectroscopy for process control. The lab-scale experiments were supported by off-line GC-analysis as a reference method.
A fiber optic coupled probe of a process Raman spectrometer was directly integrated into the reactor. 25 mixtures with varying concentrations of olefin (1-dodecene), product (n-tridecanal), water, n-dodecane, and technical surfactant (Marlipal 24/70) were prepared according to a D-optimal design. Online NMR spectroscopy was implemented by using a flow probe equipped with 1/16” PFA tubing serving as a flow cell. This was hyphenated to the reactor within a thermostated bypass to maintain process conditions in the transfer lines.
Partial least squares regression (PLSR) models were established based on the initial spectra after activation of the reaction with syngas for the prediction of unknown concentrations of 1-dodecene and n-tridecanal over the course of the reaction in the lab-scale system. The obtained Raman spectra do not only contain information on the chemical composition but are further affected by the emulsion properties of the mixtures, which depend on the phase state and the type of micelles. Based on the spectral signature of both Raman and NMR spectra, it could be deduced that especially in reaction mixtures with high 1-dodecene content the formation of isomers as a competitive reaction was dominating. Similar trends were also observed during some of the process runs in the mini-plant. The multivariate calibration allowed for the estimation of reactants and products of the hydroformylation reaction in both laboratory setup and mini-plant.
Within the Collaborative Research Center InPROMPT a novel process concept for the hydroformylation of long-chained olefins is studied in a mini-plant, using a rhodium complex as catalyst in the presence of syngas. Recently, the hydroformylation in micro¬emulsions, which allows for the efficient recycling of the expensive rhodium catalyst, was found to be feasible. However, the high sensitivity of this multi-phase system with regard to changes in temperature and composition demands continuous observation of the reaction to achieve a reliable and economic plant operation. For that purpose, we tested the potential of online NMR and Raman spectroscopy for process control. The lab-scale experiments were supported by data of offline GC analysis.
A fiber optic coupled probe of a process Raman spectrometer was directly integrated into the reactor. 25 mixtures with varying concentrations of olefin (1-dodecene), product (n-tridecanal), water, n-dodecane, and technical surfactant (Marlipal 24/70) were prepared according to a D-optimal design. Online NMR spectroscopy was implemented by using a flow probe equipped with 1/16” PFA tubing serving as a flow cell. This was hyphenated to the reactor within a thermostated bypass to maintain process conditions.
Partial least squares regression (PLSR) models were established based on the initial spectra after activation of the reaction with syngas for the prediction of unknown concentrations of 1-dodecene and n-tridecanal over the course of the reaction in the lab-scale system. The obtained Raman spectra do not only contain information on the chemical composition but are further affected by the emulsion properties of the mixtures, which depend on the phase state and the type of micelles. Based on the spectral signature of both Raman and NMR spectra, it could be deduced that especially in reaction mixtures with a high content of 1-dodecene the formation of isomers based on a competitive reaction was dominating. Similar trends were also observed during some of the process runs in the mini-plant. The multivariate calibration allowed for the estimation of reactants and products of the hydroformylation reaction in the laboratory setup, as well as in the field during the conducted mini-plant operation studies.
Currently, research in chemical manufacturing moves towards flexible plug-and-play approaches focusing on modular plants, capable of producing small scales on-demand with short down-times between individual campaigns. This approach allows for efficient use of hardware, a faster optimization of the process conditions, and thus, an accelerated introduction of new products to the market. Driven mostly by the search for chemical syntheses under biocompatible conditions, so-called “click” chemistry rapidly became a growing field of research. The resulting simple one-pot reactions are so far only scarcely accompanied by an adequate optimization via comparably straightforward and robust analysis techniques.
Here we report on a fast and reliable calibration-free online high field NMR monitoring approach for technical mixtures. It combines a versatile fluidic system, continuous-flow measurement with a time interval of 20 s per spectrum, and a robust, automated algorithm to interpret the obtained data. All spectra were acquired using a 500 MHz NMR spectrometer (Varian) with a dual band flow probe having a 1/16-inch polymer tubing working as a flow cell. Single scan 1H NMR spectra were recorded with an acquisition time of 5 s, relaxation delay of 15 s. As a proof-of-concept, the thiol-ene coupling between N-boc cysteine methyl ester and allyl alcohol was conducted in non-deuterated solvents while its time-resolved behaviour was characterised with step tracer experiments.
Through the application of spectral modeling the signal area for each reactant can be deconvoluted in the online spectra and thus converted to the respective concentrations or molar ratios. The signals which were suitable for direct integration were used herein for comparison purposes of both methods.
Within the Collaborative Research Center InPROMPT a novel process concept for the hydroformylation of long-chained olefins is studied in a mini-plant, using a rhodium complex as catalyst in the presence of syngas. Recently, the hydroformylation in micro¬emulsions, which allows for the efficient recycling of the expensive rhodium catalyst, was found to be feasible. However, the high sensitivity of this multi-phase system with regard to changes in temperature and composition demands a continuous observation of the reaction to achieve a reliable and economic plant operation. For that purpose, we tested the potential of both online NMR and Raman spectroscopy for process control. The lab-scale experiments were supported by off-line GC-analysis as a reference method.
A fiber optic coupled probe of a process Raman spectrometer was directly integrated into the reactor. 25 mixtures with varying concentrations of olefin (1-dodecene), product (n-tridecanal), water, n-dodecane, and technical surfactant (Marlipal 24/70) were prepared according to a D-optimal design. Online NMR spectroscopy was implemented by using a flow probe equipped with 1/16” PFA tubing serving as a flow cell. This was hyphenated to the reactor within a thermostated bypass to maintain process conditions in the transfer lines.
Partial least squares regression (PLSR) models were established based on the initial spectra after activation of the reaction with syngas for the prediction of unknown concentrations of 1-dodecene and n-tridecanal over the course of the reaction in the lab-scale system. The obtained Raman spectra do not only contain information on the chemical composition but are further affected by the emulsion properties of the mixtures, which depend on the phase state and the type of micelles. Based on the spectral signature of both Raman and NMR spectra, it could be deduced that especially in reaction mixtures with high 1-dodecene content the formation of isomers as a competitive reaction was dominating. Similar trends were also observed during some of the process runs in the mini-plant. The multivariate calibration allowed for the estimation of reactants and products of the hydroformylation reaction in both laboratory setup and mini-plant.
Recent technical developments of NMR instruments such as in acquisition electronics and probe design allow detection limits of components in liquid mixtures in the lower ppm range (approx.. 5–10 ppm amount of substance). The major advantage of quantitative NMR spectroscopy (qNMR) is that it is a direct ratio method of analysis without the need of calibration. This means that the signal for a specific NMR-active nucleus (e.g., a proton) in an analyte can be compared and quantified by reference to a different nucleus of a separate compound, comparable to a counting of spins in the active volume of the spectrometer.
Technical mixtures can be investigated online directly next to a process setup by using flow probes. This makes it a promising method for process analytical applications, especially during process development in laboratory and pilot plant scale. With the growing market of Benchtop devices based on permanent magnets nowadays an integration of NMR spectroscopy in an industrial environment becomes reasonable.
A special application of qNMR in technical mixtures is the observation in the gas phase, which is rarely applied compared to liquid and solid NMR studies. Because of the low density it results in a reduced sensitivity, which can be improved by applying pressure. Therefore a high-pressure NMR setup was developed based on a commercially available NMR tube made of zirconia. This is currently tested up to 20 MPa, but can be extended up to 100 MPa with regard to pressure rating of its components. This work shows results of gas-phase application on natural-gas like reference gas mixtures produced at BAM, as well as investigations on liquefied gas mixtures with high accuracy provided in piston cylinders.
Besides that amine gas treatment and hydroformylation in a microemulsion represent two other examples of applications in process analytical technology. These show the potential of combination of online NMR spectroscopy with other spectroscopic methods, especially during model development for data evaluation.
Quantitative Online NMR spectroscopy as a direct ratio method of analysis represents a perfect reference for calibration of further process analytical techniques, e.g., optical spectroscopic techniques. In this work we present a combined approach including Online NMR and Raman spectroscopy on a laboratory setup for development of suitable models for process monitoring. Therefore we investigated the absorption process of carbon dioxide in solutions of monoethanolamine, as well as the homogeneous catalyzed hydroformylation reaction of 1-dodecene taking place in an emulsion stabilized by a technical surfactant. The models for Raman spectroscopy were tested and approved during several days of operational studies of miniplant-scale setups for both mentioned applications.
During the last years quantitative NMR spectroscopy has become a general method for solving complex problems in science and industry. The opportunity of a calibration-free quantification, related to a simple counting of the nuclear spins in the active volume of the spectrometer represents a key advantage comparing to other analytical techniques. With modern NMR systems detection limits in the lower ppm range on a molar basis are accessible in a reasonable time period, which makes it a promising method for purity assessment, as well as applications in metrological research. First experiments showed that qNMR is suitable for gas analysis with respect to components used for production of primary reference gas mixtures. For this a laboratory setup for high-pressure NMR experiments up to 20 MPa (2900 psi) in fluid and gas phase was built and tested.
In this work we show the determination of the composition of high precision mixtures, consisting of liquid and liquefied hydrocarbons commonly supplied in floating piston cylinders. Therefore an experimental setup was developed allowing sampling, as well as circulation of the mixture within a high-pressure NMR tube by using a concentric tubing assembly. Additionally, a piston-cylinder pressure cell was designed and manufactured allowing wide-range volume displacement. Mainly intended for density variation within supercritical fluid experiments, it can also function as a compression element for further increasing of gas-pressure in the system. Equipped with liquid thermostat and a motor-powered screw drive unit it is designed to operate at pressure levels up to 60 MPa (8700 psi) and temperatures up to 130 °C.
Online monitoring and process control requires fast and noninvasive analytical methods, which are able to monitor the concentration of reactants in multicomponent mixtures with parts-per-million resolution. Online NMR spectroscopy can meet these demands when flow probes are directly coupled to reactors, since this method features a high linearity between absolute signal area and sample concentration, which makes it an absolute analytical comparison method being independent on the matrix. Due to improved magnet design and field shimming strategies portable and robust instruments have been introduced to the market by several manufacturers during the last few years. First studies with this technology showed promising results to monitor chemical reaction in the laboratory.
Within the project CONSENS, the continuous production of high-value products in small production scale is advanced by introducing benchtop NMR spectroscopy. CONSENS is a research and innovation project on integrated control and sensing for sustainable operation of flexible intensified processes.
This poster will present the first steps of the process integration of a benchtop NMR instrument for a lithiation process and outlines further fields of activity and potential challenges. Hereby, the following issues are going to be addressed: explosion-proof housing for the spectrometer, automation of signal processing (data pretreatment, evaluation and communication to the control system), flow cells and measuring conditions. Furthermore, first online spectra of the lithiation reaction in batch mode were acquired in lab scale. The reaction was performed in a 25 mL glass reactor with thermal jackets for temperature control of the reaction mixture. The Li-HMDS was dosed stepwise by using a glass syringe. First spectra in the proton and fluorine domain were recorded online using a flowrate of 3.5 mL min–1 and a simple 5 mm polytetrafluoroethylene tube (PTFE) as a flow cell.
Within the Collaborative Research Center InPROMPT a novel process concept for the hydroformylation of long-chained olefins is studied in a mini-plant, using a rhodium complex as catalyst in the presence of syngas. Recently, the hydroformylation in micro¬emulsions, which allows for the efficient recycling of the expensive rhodium catalyst, was found to be feasible. However, the high sensitivity of this multi-phase system with regard to changes in temperature and composition demands a continuous observation of the reaction to achieve a reliable and economic plant operation. For that purpose, we tested the potential of both online NMR and Raman spectroscopy for process control. The lab-scale experiments were supported by off-line GC-analysis as a reference method.
A fiber optic coupled probe of a process Raman spectrometer was directly integrated into the reactor. 25 mixtures with varying concentrations of olefin (1-dodecene), product (n-tridecanal), water, n-dodecane, and technical surfactant (Marlipal 24/70) were prepared according to a D-optimal design. Online NMR spectroscopy was implemented by using a flow probe equipped with 1/16” PFA tubing serving as a flow cell. This was hyphenated to the reactor within a thermostated bypass to maintain process conditions in the transfer lines.
Partial least squares regression (PLSR) models were established based on the initial spectra after activation of the reaction with syngas for the prediction of unknown concentrations of 1-dodecene and n-tridecanal over the course of the reaction in the lab-scale system. The obtained Raman spectra do not only contain information on the chemical composition but are further affected by the emulsion properties of the mixtures, which depend on the phase state and the type of micelles. Based on the spectral signature of both Raman and NMR spectra, it could be deduced that especially in reaction mixtures with high 1-dodecene content the formation of isomers as a competitive reaction was dominating. Similar trends were also observed during some of the process runs in the mini-plant. The multivariate calibration allowed for the estimation of reactants and products of the hydroformylation reaction in both laboratory setup and mini-plant.
Homogen katalysierte Reaktionsschritte sind ein wichtiges Werkzeug in der chemischen Industrie. Durch die milden Reaktionsbedingungen hinsichtlich Temperatur und Druck bei gleichzeitig hoher Selektivität bieten diese die Möglichkeit energieeffizienter und ressourcenschonender Produktionsschritte. Eine der wichtigsten industriellen Anwendungen bildet die Hydroformylierung. Hier besteht das Katalysatorsystem meist aus Übergangsmetallkomplexen, vorwiegend Kobalt und Rhodium, die zur Steuerung der Selektivität und Löslichkeit mit mehrzähnigen Liganden koordiniert sind. Diese Komplexe liegen für eine effiziente Katalysator-rückführung in wässriger Lösung vor, was jedoch die Anwendbarkeit auf kurzkettige Edukte mit hinreichender Wasserlöslichkeit beschränkt.
Ein möglicher Lösungsansatz für die Verwendung langkettiger Alkene ist die Umsetzung der Reaktion in einer Mikroemulsion. Durch die gesteigerte Phasen-grenzfläche besteht ein effektiver Kontakt von Katalysator und Reaktanden bei gleichzeitiger Möglichkeit der Produktseparation durch Phasentrennung, während der Katalysator dem Reaktionsschritt zurückgeführt wird und das Verfahren damit wirtschaftlich macht.[1]
Am Beispiel der Reaktion von 1-Dodecen zu Tridecanal wird der Einsatz von Online-NMR- und -Raman-Spektroskopie für die Prozessanalytik (sowie Applikation von komplexen Regelungskonzepten) innerhalb eines mizellaren Systems demonstriert. Ein speziell konzipierter Laboraufbau ermöglicht die Durchführung von Experimenten unter Prozessbedingungen für die in Mikroemulsionen äußerst anspruchsvolle Entwicklung und Kalibrierung von multivariaten Modellen für die Raman-Spektroskopie. Diese konnten anschließend im Rahmen einer mehrtägigen Betriebs-studie einer Miniplant am realen technischen System erprobt werden.
Homogen katalysierte Reaktionen sind wichtige Werkzeuge der chemischen Industrie. Milde Reaktionsbedingungen und hohe Selektivitäten führen zu einer energie- und ressourcenschonenden Produktion. Ein bedeutender Prozessschritt ist die Hydroformylierung. Hier kommen Kobalt- und Rhodiumkomplexe mit mehrzähnigen Liganden zum Einsatz, die zumeist in wässriger Lösung vorliegen. Die Anwendbarkeit beschränkt sich demnach auf kurzkettige Edukte mit hinreichender Wasserlöslichkeit.
Atomkerne zählen - Quantitative NMR-Spektroskopie als vielseitige Methode in Labor und Prozess
(2020)
Meist präsentieren sich Laboratorien für NMR-Spektroskopie auf den ersten Blick von außen nur wenig einladend. Es lohnt sich aber einen Blick hinein zu riskieren, denn die Methode ist heute unverzichtbar für die analytische Chemie. Die quantitativen Möglichkeiten werden häufig unterschätzt, erfahren allerdings durch den aufstrebenden Markt kompakter Benchtop-NMR-Spektrometer verstärktes Interesse für Anwendungen von der Laborbank bis hin zum Industrieprozess.
Industrial applications of low-field NMR spectroscopy for process and quality control of silanes
(2020)
The combination of different silanes as starting materials and as a product of hydrolysis by several alcohols or water creates a range of hundreds of technical products for a wide range of applications. In recent years, functional trialkoxysilanes have proven to be multi-purpose organosilanes. Applications range from weather protection of buildings to additives for glass fiber industry, sealants, adhesives, coatings and paints to the modification of polymers.
Commercial benchtop NMR spectrometers have the potential to be used in silane chemistry as an online method for reaction monitoring and quality control. NMR nuclei of interest for silane products are 1H and 29Si. In a joint research cooperation between EVONIK and BAM, the applicability of low-field NMR spectroscopy for the chemical analysis of silanes was evaluated. It was shown how it can extend the application range where existing technologies like NIR, Raman, UV/VIS, etc. cannot be used quantitatively due to a lack of reference data.
In a first case study the process of hydrolysis and condensation was observed using online NMR analysis. For this purpose, the substituents of a trialkoxysilane are first hydrolyzed by adding water and corresponding silanols are formed, which can then bind to materials via SiOH functions and crosslink to form siloxane units. Another case study was dealing with the kinetics of the cleavage of a cyclic silane compound. Online NMR analysis was used both in the laboratory and in the manufacturing plant. For this purpose, a fully automated containment system was used, which enables the use of a commercial NMR spectrometer in ATEX-environments. In the third case study presented, quantitative 1H-NMR spectra were acquired on product mixtures of a trialkoxysilane and other components such as organic stabilizers, organotin compounds, an aromatic amine and organic peroxides. An automatic evaluation method based on Indirect Hard Modeling (IHM) was developed.
Accreditation of analytical methods, either according to GxP or ISO regulations, requires a comprehensive quality management system. General quality documents are often already in place, which need to be extended by method-specific documentation. In this presentation we like to show an idea of a modular set of standard operating procedures (SOP) specifically developed meeting the requirements for quantitative NMR. The future goal is to collaborate with different accreditated NMR laboratories to compile a universal set of SOP and other quality documents that can be modified and used as a starting point for developing your own quality system for applications of qNMR in a regulated environment.
Online-NMR- und -Raman-Spektroskopie – Kombination von PAT-Methoden für mehr Prozessverständnis
(2020)
Die Verbesserung des Prozessverständnisses ist eine notwendige Voraussetzung für die Anwendung von Konzepten wie „Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)“ oder „Industrie 4.0“. Online-Methoden der Prozessanalytik (PAT) ermöglichen die direkte Verfolgung der ablaufenden Reaktionen innerhalb chemischer und pharmazeutischer Produktionsschritte und können somit einen wichtigen Beitrag für die Entwicklung von neuen, innovativen Prozessführungsstrategien liefern.
Während die Online-Raman-Spektroskopie bereits erfolgreich im industriellen Umfeld zum Einsatz kommt, ist der Entwicklungsstand für die Online-Niederfeld-NMR-Spektroskopie bislang noch nicht ausreichend für einen routinemäßigen Einsatz innerhalb industrieller Produktionsumgebungen. Der hohe Informationsgehalt der NMR-Daten in Verbindung mit einem geringen Kalibrieraufwand macht die Methode sehr interessant für moderne Konzepte flexibler Produktionsanlagen für die Herstellung vieler unterschiedlicher Produkte in wechselnden Kampagnen. Speziell in modularen Produktionskonzepten kann so die Rüstzeit der Prozessanalytik deutlich verkürzt werden.
Am Beispiel der heterogen katalysierten Hydrogenierung von 2-Butin-1,4-diol wird der Einsatz der Kombination von Online-NMR und -Raman-Spektroskopie demonstriert. Dieser Prozessschritt aus der industriellen Synthese des Lösungsmittels Tetrahydrofuran verläuft über ein Zwischenprodukt, welches konkurrierende Reaktionspfade aufweist. Die Kombination von Informationen aus der PAT, sowie von klassischen Prozessgrößen, wie Druck, Temperatur und Durchfluss in einem hoch automatisierten Aufbau erleichtert die Entwicklung und Erprobung von neuen Konzepten für die Prozessführung.
Aus der Kombination verschiedener Silane als Ausgangsstoffe und als Produkt der Hydrolyse durch eine Reihe von Alkoholen oder Wasser ergibt sich eine Palette von hunderten technischen Produkten für verschiedenste Anwendungen. Funktionelle Trialkoxysilane haben sich in den vergangenen Jahren als vielseitig einsetzbare Organosilane erwiesen. Die Einsatzgebiete erstrecken sich vom Witterungsschutz von Bauwerken über haftvermittelnde Eigenschaften in der Glasfaserindustrie, bei Dicht- und Klebstoffen, in Farben und Lacken bis hin zur Modifizierung von polymeren Werkstoffen.
Kommerzielle Benchtop-NMR-Spektrometer haben das Potential auch im Bereich der Silanchemie als Online-Methode zur Reaktionsüberwachung und für die Qualitätskontrolle eingesetzt zu werden. Interessante NMR-Kerne für die oben genanntem Produkte sind 1H und 29Si. In einer gemeinsamen Forschungs-kooperation zwischen EVONIK und BAM wurde anhand verschiedener Fallstudien die Anwendbarkeit der Niederfeld-NMR-Spektroskopie zur chemischen Analyse von Silanen evaluiert. Die Möglichkeiten der Konzentrationsbestimmung erweitern die Anwendungsgebiete, in denen bestehende Technologien wie z. B. NIR, Raman, UV/VIS, etc. mangels Referenzdaten nicht quantitativ eingesetzt werden können.
Eine Fallstudie setzte dazu an, den Hydrolyse- und Kondensationsverlauf mit geeigneter Online-NMR-Analytik zu beobachten, den Reaktionsfortschritt der Hydrolyse und Kondensation auf dieser Basis besser zu verstehen und zu optimieren. Zu diesem Zweck werden durch Zugabe von Wasser zunächst die Alkoxysubstituenten eines Trialkoxysilans hydrolysiert und entsprechende Silanole gebildet. Diese können dann über eine SiOH-Funktion an den zu modifizierenden Werkstoff anbinden und über weitere Silanolgruppen unter Ausbildung von Siloxaneinheiten vernetzen. In einer weiteren Fallstudie wurde die Kinetik der Aufspaltungen einer cyclischen Silanverbindung untersucht. Die Online-NMR-Analytik kam hierbei sowohl im Labor als auch in der industriellen Produktionsanlage zum Einsatz. Hierfür wurde eine automatisierte Einhausung verwendet, welche den Einsatz eines kommerziellen NMR-Spektrometers in explosionsgeschützten Bereichen ermöglicht.
Chemical companies must find new paths to successfully survive in a changing environment. The potential of digital technologies belongs to these. Flexible and modular chemical plants can produce various high-quality products using multi-purpose equipment with short downtimes between campaigns and reduce time to market for new products. Intensified continuous production plants allow for difficult to produce compounds.
Therefore, fully automated “chemical” process control along with real-time quality control are prerequisites to such concepts and thus should be based on “chemical” information. The advances of a fully automated NMR sensor were exploited, using a given pharmaceutical lithiation reaction as an example process within a modular pilot plant. A commercially available benchtop NMR spectrometer was integrated to the full requirements of an automated chemical production environment such as, e.g., explosion safety, field communication, and robust evaluation of sensor data. It was thereof used for direct loop advanced process control and real-time optimization of the process. NMR appeared as preeminent online analytical tool and allowed using a modular data analysis tool, which even served as reliable reference method for further PAT applications. In future, such fully integrated and intelligently interconnecting “smart” systems and processes can speed up the high-quality production of specialty chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
Chemische Prozesskontrolle für modulare Produktionskonzepte mit direkten analytischen Methoden
(2020)
Flexible Produktionskonzepte werden oft mit modularen, schnell rekonfigurierbaren Einheiten verbunden. Um die Vorteile dieser flexiblen Produktion tatsächlich nutzen zu können ist neben einer geeigneten Infrastruktur auch eine ebenso anpassungsfähige Qualitätskontrolle unverzichtbar. Analysengeräte und Sensoren werden heutzutage immer kompakter und kostengünstiger in ihrer Anschaffung. Dadurch wird es möglich eine große Anzahl von Messstellen innerhalb einer Anlage zu realisieren. Die erfassten Datenmengen erfordern zuverlässige und robuste Auswerteverfahren, die sich in das Gesamtkonzept der Automatisierung einer derart flexiblen Produktion nahtlos integrieren. Referenzdaten aus direkten Methoden wie der NMR-Spektroskopie können hier einen wertvollen Beitrag zur Generierung von Prozesswissen für die Entwicklung neuer Modelle für kostengünstigere Analysenverfahren leisten.
Industrielle Anwendungen der Niederfeld-NMR-Spektroskopie für die Qualitätskontrolle von Silanen
(2021)
Aus der Kombination verschiedener Silane als Ausgangsstoffe und als Produkt der Hydrolyse durch eine Reihe von Alkoholen oder Wasser ergibt sich eine Palette von hunderten technischen Produkten für verschiedenste Anwendungen. Funktionelle Trialkoxysilane haben sich in den vergangenen Jahren als vielseitig einsetzbare Organosilane erwiesen. Die Einsatzgebiete erstrecken sich vom Witterungsschutz von Bauwerken über haftvermittelnde Eigenschaften in der Glasfaserindustrie, bei Dicht- und Klebstoffen, in Farben und Lacken bis hin zur Modifizierung von polymeren Werkstoffen.
Kommerzielle Benchtop-NMR-Spektrometer haben das Potential auch im Bereich der Silanchemie als Online-Methode zur Reaktionsüberwachung und für die Qualitätskontrolle eingesetzt zu werden. Interessante NMR-Kerne für die oben genanntem Produkte sind 1H und 29Si. In einer gemeinsamen Forschungskooperation zwischen EVONIK und BAM wurde anhand verschiedener Fallstudien die Anwendbarkeit der Niederfeld-NMR-Spektroskopie zur chemischen Analyse von Silanen evaluiert. Die Möglichkeiten der Konzentrationsbestimmung erweitern die Anwendungsgebiete, in denen bestehende Technologien wie z. B. NIR, Raman, UV/VIS, etc. mangels Referenzdaten nicht quantitativ eingesetzt werden können.
Eine Fallstudie setzte dazu an, den Hydrolyse- und Kondensationsverlauf mit geeigneter Online-NMR-Analytik zu beobachten, den Reaktionsfortschritt der Hydrolyse und Kondensation auf dieser Basis besser zu verstehen und zu optimieren. Zu diesem Zweck werden durch Zugabe von Wasser zunächst die Alkoxysubstituenten eines Trialkoxysilans hydrolysiert und entsprechende Silanole gebildet. Diese können dann über eine SiOH-Funktion an den zu modifizierenden Werkstoff anbinden und über weitere Silanolgruppen unter Ausbildung von Siloxaneinheiten vernetzen. In einer weiteren Fallstudie wurde die Kinetik der Aufspaltungen einer cyclischen Silanverbindung untersucht. Die Online-NMR-Analytik kam hierbei sowohl im Labor als auch in der industriellen Produktionsanlage zum Einsatz. Hierfür wurde eine automatisierte Einhausung verwendet, welche den Einsatz eines kommerziellen NMR-Spektrometers in explosionsgeschützten Bereichen ermöglicht.
The combination of different silanes as starting materials and as a product of hydrolysis by several alcohols or water creates a range of hundreds of technical products for a wide range of applications. In recent years, functional trialkoxysilanes have proven to be multi-purpose organosilanes. Applications range from weather protection of buildings to additives for glass fiber industry, sealants, adhesives, coatings and paints to the modification of polymers.
Commercial benchtop NMR spectrometers have the potential to be used in silane chemistry as an online method for reaction monitoring and quality control. NMR nuclei of interest for silane products are 1H and 29Si. In a joint research cooperation between EVONIK and BAM, the applicability of low-field NMR spectroscopy for the chemical analysis of silanes was evaluated. It was shown how it can extend the application range where existing technologies like NIR, Raman, UV/VIS, etc. cannot be used quantitatively due to a lack of reference data.
In a first case study the process of hydrolysis and condensation was observed using online NMR analysis. For this purpose, the substituents of a trialkoxysilane are first hydrolyzed by adding water and corresponding silanols are formed, which can then bind to materials via SiOH functions and crosslink to form siloxane units. Another case study was dealing with the kinetics of the cleavage of a cyclic silane compound. Online NMR analysis was used both in the laboratory and in the manufacturing plant. For this purpose, a fully automated containment system was used, which enables the use of a commercial NMR spectrometer in ATEX-environments. In the third case study presented, quantitative 1H-NMR spectra were acquired on product mixtures of a trialkoxysilane and other components such as organic stabilizers, organotin compounds, an aromatic amine and organic peroxides. An automatic evaluation method based on Indirect Hard Modeling (IHM) was developed.
Chemical companies must find new paths to successfully survive in a changing environment. The potential of digital technologies belongs to these. Flexible and modular chemical plants can produce various high-quality products using multi-purpose equipment with short downtimes between campaigns and reduce time to market for new products. Intensified continuous production plants allow for difficult to produce compounds.
Therefore, fully automated “chemical” process control along with real-time quality control are prerequisites to such concepts and thus should be based on “chemical” information. The advances of a fully automated NMR sensor were exploited, using a given pharmaceutical lithiation reaction as an example process within a modular pilot plant. A commercially available benchtop NMR spectrometer was integrated to the full requirements of an automated chemical production environment such as, e.g., explosion safety, field communication, and robust evaluation of sensor data. It was thereof used for direct loop advanced process control and real-time optimization of the process. NMR appeared as preeminent online analytical tool and allowed using a modular data analysis tool, which even served as reliable reference method for further PAT applications. In future, such fully integrated and intelligently interconnecting “smart” systems and processes can speed up the high-quality production of specialty chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
Chemical companies must find new paths to stay productive in a rapidly changing environment. One of these is the potential of digital technologies. Flexible and modular chemical plants can produce various high-quality products using multi-purpose equipment with short downtimes between campaigns and reduce time to market. Process safety is improved due to smaller amounts processed and the abilities of efficient heat-transfer allow for otherwise difficult-to-produce compounds.
To exploit these advantages, a fully automated process control along with real-time quality control is mandatory and should be based on “chemical” information. The advances of a fully automated NMR analyzer were demonstrated, using a given pharmaceutical reaction step operated within a modular pilot plant. A commercially available benchtop NMR spectrometer was integrated to the requirements of an automated chemical production environment such as explosion safety, field communication, and robust data evaluation. Obtained results were used for direct loop advanced process control and real-time optimization of the process.
NMR spectroscopy appeared as excellent online analytical tool and allowed a modular data analysis approach, which even served as reliable reference method for further PAT applications. Using the available datasets, a second data analysis approach based on artificial neural networks (ANN) was evaluated.Therefore, amount of data was augmented to be sufficient for training. The results show comparable performance, while improving the calculation time tremendously. In future, such fully integrated and interconnecting “smart” systems and processes can increase the efficiency of the production of specialty chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
Industrial Applications of Low-Field NMR Spectroscopy for Process and Quality Control of Silanes
(2021)
The combination of different silanes as starting materials and as a product of hydrolysis by several alcohols or water creates a range of hundreds of technical products for a wide range of applications. In recent years, functional trialkoxysilanes have proven to be multi-purpose organosilanes. Applications range from weather protection of buildings to bonding-imparting properties in the glass fiber industry, for sealants and adhesives, for coatings and paints to the modification of polymer materials.
Commercial benchtop NMR spectrometers have the potential to be used in silane chemistry as an online method for reaction monitoring and quality control [1]. Interesting NMR nuclei for the above-mentioned products are 1H and 29Si. In a joint research cooperation between EVONIK and BAM, the applicability of low-field NMR spectroscopy for the chemical analysis of silanes was evaluated based on various case studies. In the course of the case studies it was shown how low-field NMR spectroscopy extends the application range of chemical analysis to new applications where existing technologies such as NIR, Raman, UV/VIS, etc. cannot be used quantitatively due to lack of reference data.
Compact NMR Spectroscopy in the field: A Versatile Tool for Automated Continuous- Flow Production
(2021)
Chemical companies must find new paths to successfully survive in a changing environment. The potential of digital technologies belongs to these. Flexible and modular chemical plants can produce various high-quality products using multi-purpose equipment with short downtimes between campaigns and reduce time to market for new products. Intensified continuous production plants allow for difficult to produce compounds.
Therefore, fully automated “chemical” process control along with real-time quality control are prerequisites to such concepts and thus should be based on “chemical” information. A commercially available benchtop NMR spectrometer was integrated to the full requirements of an automated chemical production environment such as, e.g., explosion safety, field communication, and robust evaluation of sensor data. It was thereof used for direct loop advanced process control and real-time optimization of the process. Field studies in modular and conventional production plant setups show promising results gaining process knowledge for further optimization. NMR appeared as preeminent online analytical method and allow using a modular data analysis tool, which even served as reliable reference method for further PAT applications (e.g. NIR spectroscopy). In the future, such fully integrated and intelligently interconnecting “smart” systems and processes can speed up the high-quality production of specialty chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
The transition from the current automation landscape to next generation automation concepts for the process industry has already begun. Smart functions of sensors simplify their use and enable plug-and-play integration, even though they may appear to be more complex at first sight. Monitoring specific information (i.e., “chemical” such as physico-chemical properties, chemical reactions, etc.) is the key to “chemical” process control. Here we introduce our smart online NMR sensor module provided in an explosion proof housing as example.
Due to NMR spectroscopy as an “absolute comparison method”, independent of the matrix, it runs with very short set-up times in combination with “modular” spectral models. These are based on pure component NMR spectra without the need for tedious calibrations runs. We present approaches from statistical, (i.e., Partial Least Squares Regression) to physically motivated models (i.e., Indirect Hard Modelling).
Based on concentration measurements of reagents and products by the NMR analyser a continuous production and direct loop process control were successfully realized for several validation runs in a modular industrial pilot plant and compared to conventional analytical methods (HPLC, near infrared spectroscopy). The NMR analyser was developed for an intensified industrial process funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (“Integrated CONtrol and SENsing”, www.consens-spire.eu).
Improvement in deep process understanding is a mandatory prerequisite for the application of modern concepts like Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) or “Industrie 4.0”. The direct hyphenation with online methods of process analytical technology (PAT) allows profound insights into the actual reactions within chemical and pharmaceutical production steps and provides necessary information for associated advanced control strategies.
While the industrial application of online Raman spectroscopy has already been successfully demonstrated, low-field NMR spectroscopy is not yet adequately developed as a robust online method for use in process industry. The high information content combined with the low calibration effort makes NMR spectroscopy a highly promising method for modern process automation with a high flexibility due to short set-up times and novel calibration concepts. This is a major advantage compared to other analytical methods, especially regarding multi-purpose plant strategies, as well as processes suffering from fluctuating quality of raw materials.
The work presented here focusses on the heterogeneous catalyzed hydrogenation of 2-butyne-1,4-diol, as a step of the synthesis of industrially important solvent tetrahydrofuran. This reaction is proceeding via an intermediate product and suffers from competitive reaction paths. In this application, online NMR and Raman spectroscopy were combined with data from classical process sensors, e.g., pressure, temperature, and flow transducers in a highly automated setup for the development of innovative control concepts.
Due to its advantages of being a direct comparison method, quantitative NMR spectroscopy (qNMR) becomes more and more popular in industry. While conventional high-field NMR systems are often associated with high investment and operational costs, the upcoming market of permanent-magnet based benchtop NMR systems show a considerable option for a lot of applications. The mobility of these systems allows to bring them more closely to the real production environment, e.g. for at-line quality control.
In this work we present an interlaboratory comparison study investigating the qNMR performance of state-of-the-art benchtop NMR spectrometers. Therefore, BAM prepared two samples of a mixture of NMR reference standards tetramethylbenzene (TMB) and tetrachloronitrobenzene (TCNB) at concentration levels of 200 mM and 10 mM. These “ready-to-use” samples were sent to participant laboratories, which performed analysis on their benchtop NMR equipment of different vendors and fields from 43 to 80 MHz. Raw data was reported back and further investigated by using different data analysis methods at BAM.
After this very first qNMR comparison study of benchtop NMR spectrometers show promising results, following studies are planned to cover more parts of the qNMR process, e.g. sample preparation and weighing, but also data analysis, as commonly done in similar studies for high-field NMR spectroscopy in industry and metrology.
Im Rahmen des EU-Projekts „CONSENS – Integrated Control and Sensing“ wurde ein vollautomatisiertes, gemäß Atmosphère-Explosibles(ATEX)-Regeln zertifiziertes Analysatormodul auf Basis eines kommerziellen Benchtop-Kernspinresonanzspektrometers (Engl. nuclear magnetic resonance, NMR) entwickelt und im Umfeld einer modularen containerbasierten Produktionsanlage validiert. Auf Basis der gewonnenen Daten konnten sowohl eine iterative Optimierung der Prozessparameter erfolgen als auch Referenzdaten für die Kalibrierung eines Nahinfrarot-Spektrometers gewonnen werden.
Compact NMR Spectroscopy in the field: A Versatile PAT Tool for Production of Specialty Chemicals
(2022)
Companies of chemical industry find themselves more often in a rapidly changing environment, e.g., due to variability of raw material quality or energy costs and efficiency. Process optimization and new process concepts become more and more important. For example, flexible and modular chemical plants can produce various high-quality products using multi-purpose equipment with short downtimes between campaigns and reduce time to market for new products. Intensified continuous production plants allow for difficult to produce compounds like exothermic reactions with high heat dissipation.
Therefore, fully automated “chemical” process control along with real-time quality control are prerequisites to such concepts and thus should be based on “chemical” information. A commercially available benchtop NMR spectrometer was integrated to the full requirements of an automated chemical production environment such as explosion safety, field communication, and robust evaluation of sensor data. Field studies in modular and conventional production plant setups show promising results gaining process knowledge for further optimization. NMR appeared as preeminent online analytical method and allow using a modular data analysis approach, which can even serve as reliable reference method for further calibration-dependent PAT applications (e.g., NIR spectroscopy). Based on experiences from these field studies an improved analyzer enclosure setup was developed and built, including the option of a secondary method besides NMR spectroscopy. Integrated control systems allow for a flexible implementation based on the available automation infrastructure at the chemical plant or pilot plant setup. In the future, fully integrated and intelligently interconnecting “smart” PAT systems and processes have the potential speed up the setup of production equipment for chemicals and pharmaceuticals and therefore help to reduce the time-to-market.
Compact NMR Spectroscopy in the field: A Versatile PAT Tool for Production of Specialty Chemicals
(2022)
Chemical companies must find new paths to successfully survive in a changing environment, especially by utilizing the potential of digital technologies. Flexible and modular chemical plants can produce various high-quality products using multi-purpose equipment with short downtimes between campaigns and reduce time to market for new products.
Therefore, fully automated process control along with real-time quality control are prerequisites to such concepts and thus should be based on “chemical” information. A commercially available benchtop NMR spectrometer was integrated to the full requirements of chemical production environment such as explosion safety, field communication, and robust evaluation of sensor data. It was used for direct loop advanced process control and real-time optimization of the process. Field studies in modular and conventional production plants show promising results gaining process knowledge. NMR appeared as preeminent online analytical method and allow using a modular data analysis tool, which even served as reliable reference method for further PAT applications (e.g. NIR spectroscopy). In the future, fully integrated and interconnecting “smart” systems and processes can speed up the high-quality production of specialty chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
Compact NMR Spectroscopy in the field: A Versatile PAT Tool for Production of Specialty Chemicals
(2022)
Chemical companies must find new paths to successfully survive in a changing environment, especially by utilizing the potential of digital technologies. Flexible and modular chemical plants can produce various high-quality products using multi-purpose equipment with short downtimes between campaigns and reduce time to market for new products.
Therefore, fully automated process control along with real-time quality control are prerequisites to such concepts and thus should be based on “chemical” information. A commercially available benchtop NMR spectrometer was integrated to the full requirements of chemical production environment such as explosion safety, field communication, and robust evaluation of sensor data. It was used for direct loop advanced process control and real-time optimization of the process. Field studies in modular and conventional production plants show promising results gaining process knowledge. NMR appeared as preeminent online analytical method and allow using a modular data analysis tool, which even served as reliable reference method for further PAT applications (e.g. NIR spectroscopy). In the future, fully integrated and interconnecting “smart” systems and processes can speed up the high-quality production of specialty chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
Compact NMR Spectroscopy in the field: A Versatile Tool for Automated Continuous-Flow Production
(2022)
Chemical companies must find new paths to successfully survive in a changing environment. The potential of digital technologies belongs to these. Flexible and modular chemical plants can produce various high-quality products using multi-purpose equipment with short downtimes between campaigns and reduce time to market for new products. Intensified continuous production plants allow for difficult to produce compounds.
Therefore, fully automated “chemical” process control along with real-time quality control are prerequisites to such concepts and thus should be based on “chemical” information. A commercially available benchtop NMR spectrometer was integrated to the full requirements of an automated chemical production environment such as, e.g., explosion safety, field communication, and robust evaluation of sensor data. It was thereof used for direct loop advanced process control and real-time optimization of the process. Field studies in modular and conventional production plant setups show promising results gaining process knowledge for further optimization. NMR appeared as preeminent online analytical method and allow using a modular data analysis tool, which even served as reliable reference method for further PAT applications (e.g. NIR spectroscopy). In the future, such fully integrated and intelligently interconnecting “smart” systems and processes can speed up the high-quality production of specialty chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
The use of benchtop-NMR instruments is constantly increasing during the recent years. Advantages of being affordable, portable and easy-to-operate without the need for trained staff make them especially interesting for industrial applications in quality control. However, applications of NMR spectroscopy as an online PAT tool are still very rare but offer a huge potential for process optimization and control. A key task to exploit this potential is hardware field integration of the lab-instruments in a rough environment of a chemical plant. Additionally, developments in automation and data evaluation are mandatory to ensure a robust unattended operation with low maintenance requirements. Here, we show an approach of a fully automated analyzer enclosure considering explosion safety, field communication, as well as environmental conditions in the field.
Temperature sensitivity is still a limitation of benchtop-NMR instruments in flow applications. Recent developments of manufacturers allow for limited operation at static temperature levels, however, a dynamic system for continuous operation is still not available. Using a prototype system offering a larger bore, active temperature shielding studies with thermostated air were performed evaluating the performance.
Automated data evaluation of NMR spectra using a modular indirect hard modeling (IHM) approach showed good results and flexibility. A second data analysis approach based on artificial neural networks (ANN) was evaluated.Therefore, amount of data was augmented to be sufficient for training. The results show comparable performance, while improving the calculation time tremendously, offering new ways to simultaneously evaluating large numbers of different models.
In den letzten Jahren erfreut sich die Benchtop-NMR-Spektroskopie steigender Beliebtheit. Zusätzlich zu Anwendungen im Labor werden die kompakten Geräte auch zunehmend in industriellen Bereichen eingesetzt. Neben geringeren Investitions- und Betriebskosten sind insbesondere die Robustheit und einfache Bedienbarkeit dieser Systeme entscheidende Faktoren. Ein prozessnaher Einsatz kann sowohl nach Probenahme im Rahmen der Betriebsanalytik erfolgen als auch als Online-Analytik mit direkter Ankopplung an Prozesse. Insbesondere bei der direkten Kopplung mittels Durchflusszellen spielt der Probentransfer eine entscheidende Rolle. Dies zeigt sich auch am Beispiel eines Extraktionsprozesses im Labormaßstab. Das in einem Bioprozess aus tierischen Altfetten hergestellte Copolymer PHB(Co-HHX) wurde in einem Batch-Prozess mit organischen Lösungsmitteln aus gefrier-getrockneten Zellen extrahiert. Unter Variation der Parameter wurde der Prozess direkt in der mehrphasigen Suspension mittels Benchtop-NMR-Spektroskopie verfolgt.
Eine große Limitierung für den Einsatz als Online-Methode ist die Temperaturempfindlichkeit der Magnetsysteme. Während die Umgebungstemperatur gut kontrollierbar ist, stellt sich die Thematik der Probentemperatur komplexer dar. Bei größeren Abweichungen von der Magnettemperatur kommt es bereits nach kurzer Zeit zu Drift-Effekten, die die Lock-Systeme nur begrenzt kompensieren können. Ein Ansatz ist die Nutzung temperierter Luftströme, ähnlich bekannter VT-Einheiten ergänzt um eine aktive Isolierung zum Magneten. An einem Modellaufbau wurden dazu verschiedene Konstruktionen zunächst mittels Thermographie charakterisiert und anschließend die Anwendbarkeit in einem Prototyp-Gerät überprüft.
In der rauen industriellen Umgebung von Produktionsanlagen sind weitere Maßnahmen zum Betrieb eines Laborgerätes nötig (z.B. Temperierung, Witterungsschutz). Zusätzlich bestehen häufig strikte Anforderungen an den Explosionsschutz. Zu diesem Zweck wurde gemeinsam mit der Evonik Rheinfelden eine Einhausung entwickelt, die es ermöglicht neben der NMR-Spektroskopie auch eine weitere analytische Methode möglichst flexibel direkt an großtechnische Anlagen anzubinden.
The application of compact NMR instruments to hot flowing samples or exothermically reacting mixtures is limited by the temperature sensitivity of permanent magnets. Typically, such temperature effects directly influence the achievable magnetic field homogeneity and hence measurement quality. The internal-temperature control loop of the magnet and instruments is not designed for such temperature compensation. Passive insulation is restricted by the small dimensions within the magnet borehole.
Here, we present a design approach for active heat shielding with the aim of variable temperature control of NMR samples for benchtop NMR instruments using a compressed airstream which is variable in flow and temperature. Based on the system identification and surface temperature measurements through thermography, a model predictive control was set up to minimise any disturbance effect on the permanent magnet from the probe or sample temperature.
This methodology will facilitate the application of variable-temperature shielding and, therefore, extend the application of compact NMR instruments to flowing sample temperatures that differ from the magnet temperature.
Compact NMR Spectroscopy in the field: A Versatile PAT Tool for Production of Specialty Chemicals
(2023)
Companies of chemical industry find themselves more often in a rapidly changing environment, e.g., due to variability of raw material quality or energy costs and efficiency. Process optimization and new process concepts become more and more important. For example, flexible and modular chemical plants can produce various high-quality products using multi-purpose equipment with short downtimes between campaigns and reduce time to market for new products. Intensified continuous production plants allow for difficult to produce compounds like exothermic reactions with high heat dissipation.
Highly automated “chemical” process control along with real-time quality control are prerequisites to such concepts and thus should be based on “chemical” information. A commercially available benchtop NMR spectrometer was integrated to the full requirements of an automated chemical production environment such as explosion safety, field communication, and robust evaluation of sensor data. Field studies in modular and conventional production plant setups show promising results gaining process knowledge for further optimization. NMR appeared as preeminent online analytical method and allow using a modular data analysis approach, which can even serve as reliable reference method for further calibration-dependent PAT applications (e.g., NIR or Raman spectroscopy).
Based on experiences from earlier field studies an improved NMR analyzer enclosure setup was developed and built, including the option of a secondary method (e.g., optical spectroscopy). Integrated control systems allow for a flexible implementation based on the available automation infrastructure at the chemical plant or pilot plant setup. In the future, fully integrated and intelligently interconnecting “smart” PAT systems and processes have the potential speed up the setup of production equipment for chemicals and pharmaceuticals and therefore help to reduce the time-to-market.
Global demand for pigments is expected to increase to around 13.4 million tons per year by 2030, representing approximately $22 billion – 5% of which will be azo pigments as the main organic pigments. Azo pigments, i.e., especially the azo bridge required for them, are almost exclusively produced in technology by the so-called azo coupling reaction in large-scale approaches on the scale of 50–100 cubic meters. Among other things, one of the reasons why large-scale production itself is still essentially discontinuous is the lack of analytical methods for a continuous azo pigment synthesis.
In an azo coupling process, an aromatic amine is diazotized to form the diazonium compound (diazo compound), which then reacts with a coupling component, i.e., "couples". A slight excess of the coupler is desired for the end of the reaction, which stoichiometrically consumes the remaining (harmful) diazo compound, i.e., below 500 ppm. This is carried out with a manual spotting reaction of a fast-binding coupler.
To carry out continuous azo coupling, care must be taken to ensure that the actual coupling reaction proceeds as rapidly as possible, i.e., preferentially, compared with possible side reactions. Reliable measuring methods are thus a decisive criterion for the useful performance of a continuous azo pigment synthesis. An analytical online procedure is difficult due to several limitations at once: solid dispersions extremely limit the range of reproducible analytical procedures. In addition, the appearance of a signal (e.g., excess of a starting material) in the ppm range must be reliably detected against the matrix background.
The back-titration method and benchtop NMR spectroscopy were used to overcome these problems. We present a feasibility study for a suitable process analysis with benchtop NMR spectroscopy on disperse systems for equimolar dosing of the "diazotization" or "coupling" sub-step in azo coupling, which was carried out in cooperation with a chemical company. This could replace tedious manual spotting
Die NMR-Spektroskopie ist eine der zentralen nicht-invasiven Analysenmethoden in der organischen Chemie und aus dem Laboralltag nicht mehr wegzudenken. Die direkte Proportionalität zwischen der Anzahl der Atomkerne im Messvolumen und der Signalfläche im Spektrum ist vergleichbar mit einem „Zählen der Kernspins“. Der Kalibrieraufwand für die Quantifizierung ist minimal und aus dem NMR-Spektrum sind Informationen zu Struktur und Identität zugänglich.
Online-NMR-Spektroskopie wird unter Zuhilfenahme von speziellen Durchflussproben-köpfen und Messzellen bereits seit Jahrzehnten erforscht und eingesetzt. Durch die hohen Anforderungen an die Aufstellung und den Betrieb von klassischen Hochfeld-NMR-Spektrometern konnte sie allerdings nie den Sprung vom Labor in den Prozess schaffen. Dies hat sich durch die Entwicklungen im Bereich mobil einsetzbarer Benchtop-NMR-Spektrometer grundlegend verändert. Geringere Investitions- und Betriebskosten, sowie die Robustheit und einfache Bedienbarkeit dieser Systeme sind entscheidende Faktoren. Damit rückt eine Anwendung als Online-PAT-Methode technisch in greifbare Nähe. Designierte Prozess-NMR-Spektrometer sucht man heutzutage allerdings auf dem Markt meist noch vergebens.
Die Reaktionsverfolgung im Labormaßstab konnte an unterschiedlichen Systemen erfolgreich demonstriert werden. Dabei zeigten sich allerdings Limitierungen in Hinblick auf einen möglichen Prozesseinsatz. Insbesondere die Temperaturempfindlichkeit der Magnetsysteme ist hier zu nennen. Anhand eines Prototyps wurde eine aktive Temperaturisolation mittels temperierter Luftströmungen entwickelt und erprobt.
Eine Feldintegration von Laborsystemen geht sowohl technisch als auch regulatorisch mit zahlreichen Herausforderungen einher. Das raue Umfeld von Produktionsanlagen, sowie die Anforderungen an Explosionsschutz erfordern eine zugelassene Einhausung. Auf Basis von Erfahrungen mit einem ersten Prototyp erfolgte die gemeinsame Entwicklung eines möglichst flexibel einsetzbaren Analysenschranks. Neben der Hardware-Integration sind die automatisierte modellbasierte Auswertung der NMR-Spektren, sowie die Einbindung in die Prozessleittechnik essenziell für einen zuverlässigen Betrieb als PAT-Analysengerät.
The application of compact NMR instruments to continuously flowing samples at higher temperatures or exothermically reacting mixtures is limited by the temperature sensitivity of permanent magnets. Typically, such temperature effects directly influence the achievable magnetic field homogeneity and hence measurement quality. The internal-temperature control loop of the magnet and instruments is typically not designed for compensation of such effects. Passive insulation is restricted by the small dimensions within the magnet borehole.
Here, we present a design approach for active heat shielding with the aim of variable temperature control of NMR samples for benchtop NMR instruments using a compressed airstream which is variable in flow and temperature. Based on the system identification and surface temperature measurements using an optical thermo-graphy setup, a model predictive control was set up to minimize any disturbance effect on the permanent magnet from the probe or sample temperature.
This methodology will facilitate the application of variable-temperature shielding and, therefore, potentially extend the application of compact NMR instruments to flowing samples at higher temperature than the permanent magnet.
The preparation of new active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) multicomponent Crystal forms, especially co-crystals and salts, is being considered as a reliable strategy to improve API solubility and bioavailability. In this study, three novel imidazole-based salts of the poorly water-soluble salicylic acid (SA) are reported exhibiting a remarkable improvement in solubility and dissolution rate properties. All structures were solved by powder X-ray diffraction. Multiple complementary techniques were used to solve co-crystal/salt ambiguities: density functional Theory calculations, Raman and 1H/13C solid-state NMR spectroscopies. In all molecular salts, the Crystal packing interactions are based on a common charged assisted +N-H SA)...O-(co-former) hydrogen bond interaction. The presence of an extra methyl group in different positions of the co-former, induced different supramolecular arrangements, yielding salts with different physicochemical properties.
All salts present much higher solubility and dissolution rate than pure SA. The most promising results were obtained for the salts with imidazole and 1-methylimidazole co-formers.
Um die internationale Spitzenposition deutscher Unternehmen der Prozessindustrie auch in Zukunft sicher zu stellen, müssen die Unternehmen ihre Prozesse und Geschäftsabläufe digitalisieren und gemeinsam mit der Forschung innovative neue Methoden, Apparate, Anlagen, Sensoren und Automatisierungstechnik sowie Datenkonzepte entwickeln. All dies erfordert den Aufbau neuer Fähigkeiten, Investition in Talente, interdisziplinäre Kommunikation zwischen verschiedenen Personen und Abteilungen und eine Bereitschaft zur Veränderung.
The departure from the current automation landscape to next generation automation concepts for the process industry has already begun. Smart functions of sensors simplify their use and enable plug-and-play integration, even though they may appear to be more complex at first sight. Monitoring specific information (i.e., “chemical” such as physico-chemical properties, chemical reactions, etc.) is the key to “chemical” process control.
The talk introduces a smart online NMR sensor module provided in an explosion proof housing as example. This sensor was developed for an intensified industrial process (pharmaceutical lithiation reaction step) funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (www.consens-spire.eu). Due to NMR spectroscopy as an “absolute analytical comparison method”, independent of the matrix, it runs with extremely short set-up times in combination with “modular” spectral models. Such models can simply be built upon pure component NMR spectra within a few hours (i.e., assignment of the NMR signals to the components) instead of tedious calibrations runs.
The talk also generally covers current aspects of high-field and low-field online NMR spectroscopy for reaction monitoring and process control.
ISO/IEC 17025 is the worldwide quality standard for testing and calibration laboratories. It is the basis for accreditation by an accreditation body. The current version was published in 2018.
Implementing ISO/IEC 17025 as part of laboratory quality initiatives offers both laboratory and business benefits, such as expanding the potential customer base for testing and/or calibration, increasing the reputation and image of the laboratory at national and international level, continuous improvement of the data quality and the effectiveness of the laboratory or creation of a good basis for most other quality systems in the laboratory sector, such as GxP. The main difference between a proper approach to analysis and a formal accreditation is shown in a targeted documentation, especially on the qualification of the personnel, the test equipment and the validation of the analytical methods.
Using quantitative NMR spectroscopy as an example, it is shown how accreditation can be carried out and what documentation is required. In our case, we have described the procedure in an SOP ("Determination of the quantitative composition of simple mixtures of structurally known compounds with 1H-NMR spectroscopy") and supported it with a modular system of organizational and equipment SOPs. The special feature is that the accredited method is independent for the choice of the analyte and the matrix and therefore it is possible to operate with a single validated method. In our case, we have proposed three quality levels ("leagues") with different levels of analytical effort, which differ in their measurement uncertainty, in order to simplify the workflow and analysis design.
The departure from the current automation landscape to next generation automation concepts for the process industry has already begun. Smart functions of sensors simplify their use and enable plug-and-play integration, even though they may appear to be more complex at first sight. Smart sensors enable concepts like self-diagnostics, self-calibration, and self-configuration/parameterization whenever our current automation landscape allows it. Here we summarize the currently discussed general requirements for process sensors 4.0 and introduce a smart online NMR sensor module as example, which was developed for an intensified industrial process funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (www.consens-spire.eu).
Der Wandel von der aktuellen Automation zum smarten Sensor ist im vollen Gange. Automatisierungstechnik, sowie die Informations- und Kommunikationstechnik (IKT) verschmelzen zunehmend. Eine Topologie für smarte Sensoren, die das Zusammenwirken mit daten- und modellbasierten Steuerungen bis hin zur Softsensorik beschreibt gibt es bis heute jedoch noch nicht. Um zu einer störungsfreien Kommunikation aller Komponenten auf Basis eines einheitlichen Protokolls zu kommen sollte die Prozessindustrie die Weichen für eine smarte und sichere Kommunikationsarchitektur stellen. Sie verwehrt stattdessen die Entwicklungen ihrer Zulieferer und wartet lieber ab. Der Beitrag greift die Anforderungen der Technologie-Roadmap „Prozess-Sensoren 4.0“ auf und zeigt Möglichkeiten zu ihrer Realisierung am Beispiel eines Online-NMR-Analysators, der im Rahmen eines EU-Projekts entwickelt wurde.
Ergot alkaloids are mycotoxins formed by fungi of the Claviceps genus, which are some of the most common contaminants of food and feed worldwide. These toxins are a structurally heterogeneous group of compounds, sharing an ergoline backbone. Six structures and their corresponding stereoisomers are typically quantified by either HPLC-FLD or HPLC-MS/MS and the values subsequently summed up to determine the total ergot alkaloid content. For the development of a screening method targeting all ergot alkaloids simultaneously, the alkaloids need to be transferred to one homogeneous structure: a lysergic acid derivative. In this study, two promising cleaving methods—acidic esterification and hydrazinolysis—are compared, using dihydroergocristine as a model compound. While the acidic esterification proved to be unsuitable, due to long reaction times and oxidation sensitivity, hydrazinolysis reached a quantitative yield in 40-60 min. Parallel workup of several samples is possible. An increasing effect on the reaction rate by the addition of ammonium iodide was demonstrated. Application of hydrazinolysis to a major ergot alkaloid mix solution showed that all ergopeptines were cleaved, but ergometrine/-inine was barely affected. Still, hydrazinolysis is a suitable tool for the development of a sum parameter screening method for ergot alkaloids in food and feed.
Modular plants using intensified continuous processes represent an appealing concept to produce pharmaceuticals. It can improve quality, safety, sustainability, and profitability compared to batch processes, and it enables plug-and-produce reconfiguration for fast product changes. To facilitate this flexibility by real-time quality control, we developed a solution that can be adapted quickly to new processes and includes a compact Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectrometer for online quality monitoring as well as a new model-based control approach. The NMR sensor is a benchtop device enhanced to the requirements of automated chemical production including ro-bust evaluation of sensor data.
Here, we present alternatives for the quantitative determination of the analytes using modular, physically motivated models. These models can be adapted to new substances solely by the use of their corresponding pure component spectra, which can either be derived from experimental spectra as well as from quantum mechanical models or NMR predictors. Modular means that spec-tral models can simply be exchanged together with alternate reagents and products. Beyond that, we comprehensively calibrated an NIR spectrometer based on online NMR process data for the first time within an industrial plant. The integrated solution was developed for a metal organic reac-tion running on a commercial-scale modular pilot plant and it was tested under industrial conditions.