Performance testing of on-line analyzers is critical to their proper performance within predictable levels of precision and accuracy. This practice can affect production efficiency and certification of aromatic hydrocarbon materials.

1.1 This practice serves as a practical guide for the performance testing of process stream analyzers specifically for measuring chemical or physical characteristics of liquid aromatic hydrocarbon materials for production or certification of these materials. The practice may be applicable to other hydrocarbon stream analyzers as well.

1.2 Only external methods (complete substitution of the process stream with a standard) of control sample introduction are included. Internal methods are beyond the scope of this practice.

1.3 Methods for resetting key operational parameters of analyzers to match predefined limits are provided by vendors and are not included in this practice.

1.4 Analyzer validation procedures are covered in Practices D 3764 and D 6122, not in this practice.

1.5 Procedures for statistically interpreting data from automatic sampling process stream analyzers are outlined.

1.6 The implementation of this practice requires that the analyzer be installed according to APIRP-550 (1), and be in agreement with the analyzer supplier's recommendations. Also, it assumes that the analyzer is designed to monitor the specific material parameter of interest, and that at the time of initial or periodic validation, the analyzer was operating at the conditions specified by the manufacturer and consistently with the primary test method.

1.7 The units of measure used in this practice shall be the same as those applicable to the test primary method used for analyzer validation.

1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices, and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.