This project will enable Keit's industry-proven robust Mid-infrared spectrometer to be used across multiple industries, by developing a probe capable of operating in high temperatures and pressures, in both acidic and alkaline systems, and resistant to the physical challenges of measuring aggressive process liquids. Inserting optical probes in to a wide variety of liquid processes presents significant challenges. High temperatures and pressures test the sealing between the optical and mechanical elements of the probe and the chemical resistance required restricts the materials and manufacturing processes that can be used. Keit's "IRmadillo" spectrometer is already proven in industry to be very stable, reliable and thus low maintenance, but the potential uses are constrained by the process conditions in which the current probes can operate. Development of this new probe will enable a significant expansion of the markets Keit can address.

Keit has developed a novel FTIR spectrometer, uniquely designed for the process/manufacturing environment. Existing competitive systems have proven vulnerable to the vibrations and shocks common to the process environment. Keit's IRmadillo spectrometer has no moving parts and has proven very reliable in process environments. The IRmadillo measures the concentrations of different components of process liquids - oils, petrochemicals, fine chemicals and biotech for example. The range of chemistries and operating conditions where this capability is needed is very wide. Analyte temperatures can range from -80C to over 300C, pressures range from 1 to 50bar and the analyte pH can be anywhere from -1 to 14. The broader range of operating conditions we can serve, the bigger our market. A key part of the spectrometer is an optical probe that must be in contact with the liquid analyte. The probe tip is therefore subject to the same physical and chemical conditions of the analyte and must be able to operate and survive for a minimum of 12 months in those conditions. The optical window on our current probe is made of an infrared glass (AMTIR) that is optically good, but unable to withstand pH of greater than 9.5. We have customers who have expressed interest in using our technology but who have chemistry that operates above pH9.5 and for them we have no product. In addition, much of this chemistry happens in potentially explosive atmospheres, so any commercial product needs to pass stringent testing to ensure it is safe for use in such an atmosphere. The ideal optical material for the mid-infrared and high pH is diamond. This is a standard in the industry. Due to the large size of our probe (required given the fundamental optical design), it is not possible simply to replace the AMTIR optic with an identical diamond. We need to develop a probe who's external elements (in contact with the analyte) are high pH resistant, including diamond, but with the internal mechanics and optics to maximise light throughput and also survive the high pressures and temperatures common in the process chemistry industries. We have developed and successfully tested an optical concept that incorporates a diamond front window and gives adequate light throughput, but it cannot survive the temperatures (target 150C) and pressures (30bar) nor the explosive atmospheres that it needs to do to be commercially viable. This project will deliver that commercial product.

Green Biologics Ltd. develops fermentation technology for renewable chemical production delivering improved quality and reduced life cycle impact compared to oil-derived chemicals. In this competitive market production cost is the major success driver. Improving production economics requires process knowledge and control, which requires state of the art process analytical technologies (PAT). In PATfAB GBL will partner with Keit (IRmadillo™ FTIR spectrometer) and Electrolab, who will integrate PAT for improved process control. Two additional PAT providers, BugLab (Bugeye™ biomass monitoring technology); and Bluesens (gas monitoring technology) will support the project. Project outcomes will be deployed by GBL as an integrated process control solution in commercial plants and as an R&D tool for accelerating development. The PAT technology providers will deploy technology advances to access wider markets.