Xiaobai seeks help – online gas chromatograph

We mainly want to promote Yokogawa’s products, as we can’t reach an agreement with ABB’s sales team. But as suppliers, our priority is to serve customers and ensure that the equipment works well; if ABB’s products have superior performance compared to Yokogawa’s, then we will still recommend ABB

Actually, chromatography itself is not that difficult. That is, it requires high maintenance levels during operation. It’s definitely better to be able to calibrate regularly.

This post was last edited by qugd on 2020-11-26 at 21:07. The online chromatography capabilities of these three companies are roughly similar, with each having its own unique features (which cannot be considered advantages or disadvantages). For users, when choosing an online chromatography system, it is necessary to provide the chromatography manufacturer with detailed information regarding the possible composition of the analysis sample and the relevant process parameters. Additionally, during technical discussions, they should listen objectively to the explanations provided by each technician, rather than believing in the exaggerations made by sales staff. On the other hand, those responsible for the operation and maintenance of chromatography systems are required to have a certain level of technical expertise; they need to understand and master the basic principles, operating characteristics, and applications of chromatography. Additionally, they should be able to address various practical issues related to data anomalies in conjunction with the process operations. There is no best online analyzer; only the one that is suitable for a given purpose ； There are no poorly operating online analyzers; rather, it’s the case that the products chosen do not have the appropriate configuration ； There are manufacturers that cannot do without service technology, but indeed there are users whose technical level is far too inadequate. Furthermore, chromatographic analysis is a branch of analytical chemistry and instrumental analysis; understanding and mastering it requires a certain amount of knowledge and a process of comprehension. Learning from forums is like studying*; it’s unlikely that you’ll even learn the essentials, only a little bit at most. Listen more to the discussions of various technicians, and learn from those around you who are familiar with chromatography.

All three of these are among the leading options in the field of online chromatography; they can be considered top-tier products. I have used the Siemens MAXUM edition II, both with large and small column chambers. They are durable, require little maintenance, have a low failure rate, and consume little carrier gas. However, they are not easy to use, and it’s somewhat difficult to master them fully. They work very well when used with Siemens’ specialized chromatography software. The Yokogawa GC8000 is simple – truly simple; it’s a user-friendly chromatography system that’s very easy to operate. Its price is relatively lower compared to Siemens’ models. But in reality, the most important aspect of online chromatography is to have a proper pre-treatment system in place. It’s necessary to find a reliable integrator who can design the optimal and most suitable pre-treatment system based on your specific operating conditions. This will enable the chromatography system to function properly, while also reducing the need for maintenance and spare parts, thus saving costs. I hope this can help you.

There should be no problems with any of these companies! It mainly involves sampling and proper pre-treatment; find an experienced integrator. I’m not sure what working conditions you need to measure, so look for suppliers with similar equipment and relevant experience. There is nothing wrong with these chromatography systems themselves; the main issue lies in the pre-treatment process. We have used ABB and Siemens models, and the main units come equipped with instruments provided by the integrators. However, the instruments added in other parts of the system were purchased from separate suppliers. Since the pre-treatment is done very simply, it results in the instruments being unable to provide accurate readings. Additionally, online analysis maintenance personnel learn from start to finish, follow through to the end, and carry out regular preventive maintenance.

Our sample is a very pure propylene solution; the production process involves multiple filtration steps, so no complex pre-treatment is generally required. In the past, we used an Agilent 7890 chromatograph in the laboratory to analyze trace amounts of other components present in propylene, such as isopropyl, isopropylbenzene, dipropylene glycol, benzene, toluene, butadiene, butylene, and methanol. As the level of automation in our factory increases, we are considering the use of an online chromatograph. We have held numerous discussions with companies such as ABB, Yokogawa, and Siemens. ABB simply stated that they were unable to do this, while Siemens came up with a proposal, but it was basically just a modified version of solutions used in petrochemical plants, without any specific recommendations. This has left us quite worried, as we have no experience with such equipment before, and these three companies have also never applied this technology before. Although they claim now that everything will work fine, we are still concerned that the equipment might not function properly once it’s in use. Could any experts give us some advice? In this situation, which company would be a more reliable choice? I am extremely grateful

No one would dare to give you such an opinion. What you’re saying now is simply a way of shifting the pressure from your supervisor onto the experts. Any instrument requires some time before it can be used effectively to provide guidance. Moreover, what’s good for you may not necessarily be good for them; among the same type of instruments, there can be those that are less prone to failure and those that are more so. You need to think this through carefully. First of all, all three brands are well-known, which means you’ve already chosen top-tier domestic brands; so even if there are issues, it’s not because you tried to save money. Secondly, each field has its own specialists – what you should focus on is learning how to use and maintain the instruments. As for the quality of the instruments, that should be guaranteed by the suppliers. For example, if Siemens promises to deliver a certain standard of quality, then any failure to meet that standard is a problem with their brand itself. As long as your requirements are reasonable, all responsibility lies with the manufacturers. Ultimately, whether something is useful or not is a very subjective matter. What if you think it’s useful while your supervisor doesn’t? What if those who are responsible for operating it find it inconvenient? What if the low cost makes it unsuitable for use? There is no solution that can satisfy everyone, so what you should do is consider the three proposals based on factors such as operability, practicality, price, and technology. As for which one is more reliable, I can only say that you might want to ask whom offers better after-sales support

Thank you for your expert guidance. You are right. Then, relatively speaking, whose after-sales service is better?

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