Question

What is difference between a process analytical instrument, and a laboratory analytical instrument? Given an example of each and an application for which a chemist might use each instrument.?

Answer 1

A process analytical instrument is used during (in situ) bulk manufacturing process of chemicals, especially pharmaceuticals, to increase efficiency and reduce exposure to risk. It is a part of the branch of Chemistry called, 'analytical chemistry'. It helps to design and analyze the structures of chemicals by taking care of the various structural features of the molecule and thus, maintains the quality of production. Spectrometers can be taken as an excellent example of a process analytical instrument which helps to determine structure of pharmaceuticals. It is crucial to the manufacturing process as in the pharmaceutical's case, the structure has to be controlled very specifically as stereoisomers may differ greatly in their therapeutic effect.

A laboratory analytical instrument is used for both qualitative and quantitative analysis of chemicals on a much smaller scale in a laboratory. These instruments are also a part of the 'analytical chemistry'. But in this case, the objective is to purify, identify, and measure chemicals. For instance, spectrophotometers used in laboratories help the chemists and biologists to know the concentration of protein, DNA, or RNA in a sample by using their unique properties to absorb light of specific wavelength. Some other examples would be pH meters, glucometers and air-quality meters used by chemists, biologists, and environmentalists respectively.

Having described both kinds of instruments above, I can say that in many cases both process analytical instruments and laboratory analytical instruments are same, for example, spectrophotometers are used in sampling processes as well as to know the structure of molecules in a laboratory.