Analytical processes, techniques and applications probed!

More than 300 process and analytical professionals, industry experts and vendors from across the world gathered in Galveston (TX USA) last month to explore and discuss the latest advances in analytical processes, techniques and applications at the 2015 ISA Analysis Division Symposium.

Awards

ISA’s Analysis Division presented seven Gilmer Thomason Fowler Konrad (GTFK) awards. The GTFK awards program, established in 1976 as a memorial to four of ISA’s past directors (Fred Gilmer, Edward Thomason, Lewis Fowler and Ken Konrad), recognizes the authors of the best technical papers in the analysis field.
The 2015 GTFK award winners are:
Michael Roberto
Randy Pell
Scott Ramos
Brian Rohrback
Jean-Nic Adami
Ani Weling
Julia Graber
In addition, the Model 888 Sulfur Recovery Tail Gas developed by AMETEK Process Instruments was recognized as the Innovative Product of the Year in an award category open to the symposium’s 70 product vendors.

This long-running symposium, now in its 60th year, offered a comprehensive program that included three days of technical sessions and presentations; vendor-led training; a Technology Forum and Exhibition of 70 participating companies; a banquet, an annual awards ceremony; and a variety of social activities.

In all, 32 peer-reviewed technical papers—examining the critical issues and emerging innovations in sampling, chromatography, spectroscopy, chemiluminescence and other analytical techniques and instrumentation—were presented. Expert speakers discussed emerging trends and developments and reviewed best practices and success stories.

“The ISA Analysis Division Symposium was a great opportunity to create new industry connections and pursue new ways to get involved at the professional level,” remarked attendee Owen Evans. “The connections I made at the event provided me with useful advice and improved my industry understanding.”

The day before the technical program began, a course on process analytic fundamentals was conducted, providing course registrants with foundational knowledge across a wide range of areas, including: gas chromatography, spectroscopy, discrete gas analysis, system design, sample conditioning systems, communications networking and more.

Following the conclusion of the technical program, later in the week, representatives from leading vendors and suppliers provided valuable hands-on training, specifically designed for technicians, on their newest products. Vendor training workshops were conducted by seven companies: ABB Analytical, AMETEK Process Instruments, Servomex, Siemens, Thermo Scientific, Yokogawa, and PAC.

“Overall, this event was a wonderful educational, networking and social event that provided my company an excellent opportunity to promote its technologies and gain insights from industry partners,” emphasized Brad Johnson, a vendor sales manager. “I highly recommend attending it as it will help you better define automation and process success.”