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Why is Inline NMR Rarely Used as Industrial Sensor? Challenges and Opportunities
Author(s) -
Colnago Luiz A.,
Andrade Fabiana D.,
Souza André A.,
Azeredo Rodrigo B. V.,
Lima Allan A.,
Cerioni Lucas M.,
Osán Tristán M.,
Pusiol Daniel J.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
chemical engineering and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.403
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1521-4125
pISSN - 0930-7516
DOI - 10.1002/ceat.201300380
Subject(s) - magnet , superconducting magnet , limiting , instrumentation (computer programming) , nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy , process engineering , raw material , nuclear engineering , nuclear magnetic resonance , materials science , mechanical engineering , computer science , engineering , physics , chemistry , organic chemistry , operating system
Although nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is one of the most powerful analytical techniques, it has not been widely used as a non‐destructive, non‐contact inline industrial sensor. A short background of NMR spectroscopy fundamentals and instrumentation is presented along with its potential applications and limitations for real‐time analysis in the manufacturing sector. NMR signals are generated in the presence of a magnetic field normally produced by expensive large and heavy magnets which have been the major limiting factor in the use of NMR analysis in factories. However, the last decade has brought substantial advances in the development of cheaper, smaller, and lighter permanent magnets based on rare earth materials that use Halbach and unilateral configurations. Small and light cryogenic‐free superconducting magnets are now offered in the market and are opening a new era in manufacturing. It is expected that soon NMR spectroscopy will be applied to monitor the chemical and physical properties of complex feedstock mixtures and reactions in real time which is the ultimate goal of precise process control.