Statistical process control of dye solution stream using spectrophotometer

The need for statistical process control to check the performance of a process is becoming more important in chemical and pharmaceutical industries. This study illustrates the method to determine whether a process is in control and how to produce and interpret control charts. In the experiment, a stream of green dyed water and a stream of pure water were continuously mixed in the process. The concentration of the dye solution was measured before and after the mixer via a spectrophotometer. The in-line mixer provided benefits to the dye and water mixture but not for the stock dye solution. The control charts were analyzed, and the pre-mixer process was in control for both the stock and mixed solutions. The R and X-bar charts showed virtually all of the points within control limits, and there were no patterns in the X-bar charts to suggest nonrandom data. However, the post-mixer process was shown to be out of control. While the R charts showed variability within the control limits, the X-bar charts were out of control and showed a steady increase in values, suggesting that the data was nonrandom. This steady increase in dye concentration was due to discontinuous, non-steady state flow. To improve the experiment in the future, a mixer could be inserted into the stock dye tank. The mixer would ensure that the dye concentration of the stock solution is more uniform prior to entering the pre-mixer ow cell. Overall, this would create a better standard to judge the water and dye mixture data against as well.