Why do we need Good Results?

Abstract

Industrial Chemistry is involved with the production of chemicals to make a profit. Any process must be commercially viable to survive. However, whilst this is a necessary requirement, it is not sufficient. Chemical production must produce materials of the required specification, they must be produced safely and lawfully and the environment should suffer no harmful effects. Forward-looking companies need to be involved in research and to be aware of new developments so that improved production methods can be introduced. This leads to the requirement for commercially sensitive information to be protected.

All the above activities are to some degree dependant upon analytical chemistry and quality in industrial analytical chemistry is essential if the various aspects of production operations are to be achieved successfully.

It is necessary to recognise that there are different aspects of analytical quality. Quality requirements depend upon the end use of the analysis whether that be ensuring the efficiency of a production operation or protecting the environment from any fugitive emissions.

A teaching lecture relating to the above topic should:

• Establish by the use of examples why the different aspects of responsible industrial chemical production depend upon analysis.

• Define different aspects of analytical quality (eg - accuracy, repeatability, timely).

• Describe why analytical quality is related to the end-use to which the results are to be put.

• Establish the advantages of good quality results.

BP Chemicals produces a range of bulk chemicals and polymers at several sites throughout the world. The Hull site specialises in ethanoic acid and related organic acids, a range of esters and phthalic anhydride and related esters. Raw materials are brought on to site from a variety of suppliers and products are supplied to a wide range of customers in many different industry sectors. This description would have similarities to other chemical manufacturing facilities throughout the chemical industry.