Energy/Environment Markets

Substance analysis is a critical function in the Energy related industries. FTIR spectroscopy has for decades been considered the "gold standard" for such analysis. In several industries, including Pharmaceutical, Chemical, Oil & Gas, Semiconductor and Metals Processing, our miniaturization technologies will bring to the market products, such as the ChemPen™ Sensor, which are capable of providing high resolution, high sensitivity, essentially laboratory-grade FTIR measurements right on-line with no need for complicated, time consuming and expensive lab samples. In some cases, our Passive, Standoff FTIR products, like PORTHOS™, could also provide real time, but remote monitoring of plant emissions, accidental chemical releases, etc.

In those industries, based on our technologies and products:

• Embedded, on-line sensors in refineries/chemical plants monitor product quality & detect problems early in the production cycle
• Low-cost, accurate sensors measure BTU content of natural gas to optimize drilling operations and gas enrichment process
• Distributed sensors detect leakage from pumps, valves, gear boxes for early warning and avoidance of equipment failure and process interruption
• Sensors attached to high-power transformers monitor accumulation of gases for early warning on imminent explosions & service interruption
• Handheld, portable devices analyze crude oil for content under field conditions and optimize drilling operations
• On-line sensors detect completion of processes, e.g. bread baking or drying during drug manufacturing, to avoid unnecessary extra time
• On-line sensors monitor fermentation processes during biofuel production to ensure adequate ethanol content.