Ted Barben

Ted Barben II (born in Los Angeles, California, on August 29, 1934) is an inventor and entrepreneur who is credited with revolutionizing the control of pH, conductivity, and anti-scaling agents in industrial water systems, by fully automating (see automation) the process (see process control). His innovations are the subject of The Fail-Proof Enterprise, by Bob Thomas (2003). Currently, he is the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Universal Analyzers Inc. and Barben Analyzer Technology, LLC. He served in the United States Navy Reserve during the Korean War and received an Honorable Discharge in 1956 as a second class Petty Officer (E5). In the Navy, Ted specialized in electronics with emphasis in communications.
Education
Ted Barben received his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering in 1958, a general secondary teaching credential in 1959, and his Master of Science degree in Chemical Engineering in 1960, all from the University of Southern California.
Professional career, innovations, and patents
After spending a few years teaching math, physics, and chemistry at a Junior College, a group of investors took notice of Ted Barben and his talents as a chemical engineer. The market presented an opportunity for high precision pH and conductivity sensors for waste water and water cooling systems; industrial pH control is done many ways, but for cooling towers, it was a very sloppy process. In 1964, Ted and four other partners started Uni-Loc. Before Ted Barben and Uni-Loc came about, industrial pH control was done by introducing various chemical mixtures into the water stream to maintain a neutral pH level (7 pH). Human error led to inaccurate doses of anti-scaling agents, resulting in toxic water and corrosion of the process lines. The industry standard for anti-scaling agents was to keep them at 200 parts per million (ppm); Ted's patented system offered the unprecedted accuracy to between 20 and 30 ppm. The fail-safe system, relied on analyzers to regulate the pH and conductivity, thereby eliminating human guesswork and error. Automating the control of water quality, leads to greater conservation of potable water, by making the process more efficient. Uni-Loc was sold and is now a division of Rosemount Inc. Ted went on to found Thomas Barben Instruments (TBI) with Bob Thomas in 1975. TBI pushed the limitations of pH control, and designed and marketed a stronger sensor. TBI was subsequently sold to Bailey Controls and is now a division of ABB Group.
Today
Not ready to retire, Ted remains on the vanguard of process monitoring equipment. However, having signed a Non-compete clause when he sold TBI, Ted was forced to switch gears. In 1990, United States Congress passed the Clean Air Act and pursuant Acid Rain Program. This legislation increased regulation on industries marked by heavy air pollution, such as refineries, fossil fuel combustion, and other processes requiring flue gas stacks. Therefore, in 1990, Ted founded Universal Analyzers Inc (UAI). UAI designs and manufactures gas sample conditioning equipment for Continuous emissions monitoring systems (CEMS). Subsequently Ted returned to his passion for liquid analytics, and he started Barben Analyzer Technology, LLC (BAT) as a division of Universal Analyzers Inc. in 2000. He remains the Chairman of the Board for both companies.
Personal life
Ted Barben lives in Nevada with his wife. He maintains an active role in the development of UAI and BAT. Ted is an avid aviator and plane enthusiast.

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