The HDC fluidized bed dryer (photo) operates in open systems, as well as in closed, inert-gas loops to keep dried granules in evenly floating, fluidized motion. Besides standard setups for such high-capacity applications as soda, polymer and fertilizer drying, for example, the technology range is also suitable for sophisticated applications requiring higher safety or efficiency standards. These fluidized bed systems are able to handle inflammable, combustible and dust-explosive products, as well as materials with critical flowability, high moisture content or even liquid feed materials. — Andritz Group, Graz, Austria
The Universal Environmental Technology (UET) reactor (photo) is an electrochemical treatment system that balances process water, allowing it to be reused for multiple cycles. The technology offers multiple benefits, including water conservation, cost reductions, elimination of nearly all chemicals during treatment, maintenance savings, energy savings, increased equipment life and reduced downtime. One of the largest areas of savings is on blowdown — water that is discharged from cooling towers because of mineral buildup. The system increases the number of cycles that water can be used from about three in traditional chemical treatment to more than double that with the UET system. This also dramatically reduces the amount of makeup water needed to replenish the systems, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the U.S. General Service Administration — independent agencies that monitored an installation in Savannah, Ga. — Dynamic Water Technologies, LLC, Scottsdale, Ariz.
Model 1550 and 1553 pressure gages from this company’s U.S. Gauge range (photo) are liquid-filled, which protects the internals from vibrations and pulsations encountered when the gages are mounted on pumps or compressors. Furthermore, liquid filling makes the gage easier to read because it dampens the pointer action and provides lubrication, extending device lifetime. The gages are available in 2.5- or 4-in. sizes, with a pressure range from 0 to 15,000 psi. Vacuum-only and compound gages (up to 300 psi) are also available. All wetted parts are 316 stainless steel, enabling use with harsh chemicals, and the gage case is made from 304 stainless steel and features a crimped-on window, as well as a liquid fill plug at the top of the gage for easy filling. — Ametek Sensors, Test & Calibration (STC), Berwyn, Pa.
The model PSM-700 rugged pressure switch (photo) offers a switch differential adjustable over a wide range, very high repeatability. The PSM-700 has a UL-listed micro switch that switches at electrical powers up to 250 V a.c. and 10 A. With a switch point repeatability of ≤0.5%, it offers long-lasting high reliability, says the company. The high adjustability of the switch differential — up to 60% of the setting range — enables flexible on/off switching. The instrument can be delivered with setting ranges from 1–1.5 to 7–35 bars. A robust aluminum case and wetted parts made of corrosion-resistant 316L stainless steel also enable the new pressure switch to be used under harsh conditions. A dual-entry option is possible for the electrical connection (top and side), which means that the instrument can be mounted in the optimal orientation. — WIKA Alexander Wiegand SE & Co. KG, Klingenberg, Germany
This company has launched a new smart manufacturing platform powered by artificial intelligence (AI), said to be the first to be built specifically for operational technology (OT) users designed for legacy processes and facilities. This new platform enables engineers to translate their experience and knowledge into AI applications without extensive data science experience. The Quartic Platform comprises two key components: Illuminator, an IIoT data pipeline that dynamically creates asset context for data and makes its machine learning and analytics ready for users; and eXponence, an intelligence engine that combines automated machine learning, complex event processing (CEP) and a sophisticated rules engine to create asset intelligence. — Quartic.ai, San Jose, Calif.
The new Rosemount CT4400 continuous gas analyzer (photo) is said to be the world’s first purpose-built quantum cascade laser (QCL) and tunable diode laser (TDL) analyzer designed to help plants reduce ownership costs and report emissions accurately in environmental monitoring applications measuring standard components, such as nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and oxygen. Optimized for cold and dry applications running at ambient pressure, the CT4400 analyzer offers the benefits of QCL/TDL technology, including high sensitivity, accuracy, improved stability and low-drift performance in a configuration that allows fast, easy integration into existing plant infrastructure. Because the system can hold up to four laser modules, it can measure up to seven application-specific gas components simultaneously, providing flexibility in continuous emissions monitoring systems (CEMS) applications. — Emerson, St. Louis, Mo.
Showcased last month at Interphex in New York City, this company’s MSE6-E2M pneumatic energy-efficiency module (photo) monitors the condition of pneumatics on process equipment, skids or packaging machinery, enabling users to decrease consumption of energy and compressed air. The module provides automatic detection and notification of leaks, as well as condition monitoring for relevant process data. When paired with the new CPX IOT gateway, the E2M module provides realtime analytics with a direct connection to this company’s cloud service. — Festo Corp., Islandia, N.Y.
This company recently launched the Extreme Environment product family of high-precision displacement sensors and associated systems (photo). Three separate systems are available, specifically designed for high-pressure, low-temperature and high-temperature conditions. The Extreme Environment sensors and systems work in operating temperatures ranging from –320 to 1,000°F (over 1,200°F short term). Displacement systems can withstand pressures up to 5,000 psi. Their dual-coil sensor design effectively minimizes temperature effects. All high-temperature transducers are made with hermetically sealed, all laser-welded Inconel housings and use an Inconel-jacketed, mineral-insulated cable. The sensors are unaffected by environmental contaminants and can withstand corrosive gas or liquid environments, says the manufacturer. — Kaman Precision Products, Inc., Middletown, Conn.
The Nitrogenema enclosure series (photo) is capable of protecting processes by nearly eliminating moisture or oxygen with the flow of inert gas and is said to be far more economical than a cumbersome metal isolator. Operator and process safety are accomplished with HEPA filtration, a one-way check valve and the ability to connect to a house exhaust system. These glove boxes are available in 3-, 4- and 5-ft widths and two exhaust options. — Flow Sciences Inc., Leland, N.C.
This company is expanding its range of magnetic mixers with the new LeviMag UltraPure (photo), which is engineered for the sterile production of biotechnological and pharmaceutical products. These mixers are based on the same patented, hygienic design as their predecessors, and feature an impeller that levitates on a powerful magnetic field at all times, so there is no direct contact between the axial part of the bearing surfaces. They are designed to meet the demands of liquid-based pharmaceutical formulations that require the validation of mixer cleanability, drainability, bioburden control, low-shear performance and thorough documentation. Capable of operating at a broad range of speeds, the magnetic mixer features a specially designed four-wing impeller that delivers high pumping efficiency. This safeguards product integrity, provides full drainability and ensures efficient mixing, since the mixer can be run dry. — Alfa Laval AB, Lund, Sweden
This company has launched a new pump size in its established MKP product range. With this new pump size, it is now possible to transfer hazardous media at higher flowrates using the efficient, rugged and safe magnetic drive pumps. The MKP 300-250-315 sealless magnetic drive pump (photo) provides flowrates up to 1,200 m3/h with differential heads of up to 50 m. These sealless pumps are suitable for hazardous and aggressive media since they are completely leak-free. — CP Pumpen AG, Zofingen, Switzerland
The CSF-ABW two-stage backwash filter (photo) is a fully automatic water-filtration system that is contained within a single vessel. The first stage is a coarse-screen flushing filter with a 1/8–1/2-in. slotted screen for quick self-cleaning. The second stage is a finer filter with screening capabilities down to 75µm. These new automated filters offer direct filtration of a dirty water source, such as river water, lake water, industrial wastewater, dirty cooling water and many more. For simpler operation and maintenance, there are few moving parts inside CSF-ABW filters. — Tekleen Automatic Filters Inc., Los Angeles, Calif.
The newest release of this company’s Cyber Integrity platform, Version 6.3, includes risk analytics to continuously measure and identify cybersecurity risks to multi-vendor OT (operational technology) endpoints, as well as forensic analysis capabilities that provide deep insight into the impact and propagation of a cyber-attack, including consideration of vulnerabilities, patch currency gaps, configuration baseline deviations and unauthorized configuration changes down to the field-instrument level. Cyber Integrity’s risk-analysis functionality can also identify OT endpoint security degradation and risk propagation so that OT security specialists, automation engineers and risk/compliance managers can prioritize remediation. The forensic investigations are enabled by extensive multi-vendor configuration and referential insight to provide foundational control-system cybersecurity, enterprise scalability and platform independence. — PAS Global, LLC, Houston
This company has released Version 2.5 of its Oritames Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) system (photo), which incorporates autonomous artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities for improved planning and schedule optimization, as well as improved modeling of sequence-dependent setups, batching and time constraints. Oritames APS Scheduler v2.5 is platform-agnostic, running on MS Windows, Mac OS and a variety of UNIX and Linux platforms. It can be used as a standalone application or it can be integrated with other enterprise resource planning (ERP) and manufacturing execution systems (MES) tools. It can be used offline, online and in real time, and its parallel, multi-threaded solvers ensure that it quickly creates optimal scheduling solutions. According to the company, the new system is capable of handling multiple instances of equipment, people, consumables, tools, locations and so on. It can also combine several resources together, and any activity can have multiple modes to closely model reality. It also supports the selection of multiple objectives and multiple criteria, such as cost reduction, throughput, resource utilization or consumables usage, combining several key performance indicators (KPIs) together, producing optimal schedules and analyzing objective trade-offs and “what if” scenarios. — MangoGem S.A., Brussels, Belgium
The NCR-84 is an 80-GHz radar used for continuous, non-contact level measurement in demanding liquid conditions, including excessive steam, vapor, condensation or surface foam. The signal is focused in a very narrow beam angle, allowing for precise aiming to avoid obstructions in the tank, such as agitators, mixers, fittings or heating coils. The NCR-84 is also appropriate for use in tanks with turbulent product surfaces, viscous media and pastes. This sensor is offered in threaded, flange and hygienic versions, as well as a plastic antenna option for use in low pressure or temperature ranges. The threaded 1.5-in. version makes it easier to mount existing small process fittings without mounting modifications. An optional 3/4-in. fitting enables mounting in space-constrained areas. — BinMaster, Lincoln, Neb.
The new pressure sensors of the PS+ Series (photo) can be commissioned particularly easily and provide reliable measurements with intuitive operation. Overhead mounting is possible, since sensor heads can be rotated over a range of 340 deg. After the sensor is connected, it automatically registers whether the controller or the bus module requires a current or voltage signal. A compatibility mode is also provided for the integration in IO-Link systems. The operator interface with capacitive touchpads and a color display enables settings to be carried out quickly in plain text, and is protected by a lock mechanism from accidental operation. The hermetically sealed keypad ensures greater resistance to dirt and liquids, so that the sensors meet the requirements of ISO protection to IP6K7K, IP6K7 and IP6K9K standards. The PS+ Series is designed for pressure ranges up to 600 bars and is available with ceramic measuring cells (PS310) or metal measuring cells (PS510). — Hans Turck GmbH & Co. KG, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany
To curb global marine and air pollution, stricter limits on the sulfur dioxide content of marine exhaust gases stipulated by the E.U. and International Maritime Organization (IMO) will apply beginning in 2020. From an engineering point of view, this can be achieved by using natural gas or fuels with a low sulfur content, and by cleaning the exhaust gases with a scrubber. For such onboard exhaust-gas cleaning systems, this company has further developed its ILN type series of vertical inline centrifugal pumps with closed impeller and mechanical seal (photo). With their redesigned hydraulic system, the pumps meet the extremely tough requirements specified by the authorities regarding operating behavior and efficiency. Up to the size 250, the back pull-out design allows the impeller to be dismantled without removing the piping and motor, which is of great importance given the restricted space on board. A self-venting wide mechanical-seal chamber ensures durable sealing at the shaft passage. Replaceable casing wear rings in the pump casing and casing cover facilitate servicing if necessary. The water-tight rolling element bearings require neither re-lubrication nor maintenance. The casing materials are aluminum bronze and super duplex steels. The maximum flowrate of the 60-Hz pump family is 3,700 m³/h. The highest available head is 160 m. — KSB SE & Co. KGaA, Frankenthal, Germany
The CP600-Pro (photo) is a premium human-machine interface (HMI) control panel that features a true-glass touchscreen and a strong aluminum front frame that ensures IP66 protection. The device can operate in temperatures from –4 to 140°F. Available in five different screen sizes, the panels provide comprehensive HMI functions with multi-touch operation. Three Ethernet interfaces support up to three networks. A serial port simplifies integration of products without network interfaces, and USB ports and SD cards facilitate backups and system updates. The CP600-Pro is fully compatible with this company’s AC500 and AC500-eCo programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and includes all standard HMI functions, such as alarm management, schedulers, recipes, trends, data acquisition, gateway function and user management. The CP600-Pro can be configured and programmed with Panel Builder 600, which allows the easy creation of graphical HMI pages. This robust programming tool offers numerous configuration options, and features an HMI simulator to ensure efficient setup either offline or online. — ABB, Zurich, Switzerland
The Quad Pulse Package 2 (QPP2) dust collector (photo) has two main filter cartridges designed to handle air volumes from 590 to 1,765 ft 3 /min. The QPP2 also features a cleanable filter system that allows manufacturers to run continuous production processes and avoid frequent filter replacements. The QPP2 cleans filters in four segments, one at a time, without interrupting airflow. The primary filters provide high filtration efficiency and remove the majority of collected dust. This design prolongs the service life of the second-stage HEPA filter, which provides 99.995% filtration efficiency to capture the finest, most hazardous dust particles. The HEPA filter is also a tested flame and contamination barrier. The QPP2 provides explosion protection in accordance with NFPA and ATEX standards. The pressure-shock-resistant housing maintains its integrity with no damage during an explosion event. The QPP2 can safely contain an explosion event without the need for additional safety devices, and it can be safely installed indoors close to processing areas. — Camfil APC, Jonesboro, Ark.