Leveraging HORIZON to Manage Complex Calculations

One of the largest electric utilities in the country leverages HORIZON to manage the complexity of its fuel testing laboratory. The breadth of testing in the lab encompasses routine chemistry, fossil (ash, gypsum and coal) and radiochemistry samples (monitoring of environmental samples around nuclear facilities), along with environmental compliance testing. One of the challenges encountered during the implementation was the handling of the multitude of calculations that had to be incorporated into the daily sample workflow.

HORIZON provides an API that allows customers to create custom calculations and validation logic without altering the core system code. The ability to add custom logic to the system outside of the source code is integral to ChemWare’s business model because it allows the user to extend the system without impacting their ability to take future product upgrades or enhancements. Through the API using advanced calculations ChemWare and the customer were able to:

• Perform historical data checks at login to see if a specific sample has previously been tested;
• Combine multiple weight-based samples into a single weighted average set of results for reporting;
• Apply a “corrections” calculation to transmitted BTU data;
• Run a calibration check on each calorimeter to verify that calculated water equivalents are within specification limits (if not, a new set of calibration calculations are performed using the ten most recent calibrations values obtained for the calorimeter);
• Store the results of Hardgrove Grindability Index (HGI) calibration runs and perform the necessary linear regression calculations on the data slope and intercept from the validated calibration for all future HGI determinations; and
• Produce quarterly 30-day rolling average for SO₂ that includes Dry Basis SO₂, Dry Basis BTU, SO₂ / million BTU, and the 30 day
• rolling average SO₂ / million BTU.