January 2016
Measure energy flow with these smart meters
Sierra Instruments
InnovaMass 240i and 241i vortex mass flowmeters (photo) are specifically designed for precise energy management in steam, compressed-air, natural-gas and water applications. The meters are equipped with the Raptor II operating system, which allows for fast processing and enables the use of robust software applications, including FloPro, which improves point-velocity accuracy. The patented sensor technology extends the measurement range for fluids with Reynolds numbers well below 5,000. The onboard Smart Interface Portal (SIP) software provides quick access to field validation and meter configuration. Users can also access diagnostics through the SIP or the meter’s LCD display to automatically check firmware and hardware, and report faults to the factory for immediate repair. Tuning from the SIP or local display allows field adjustments for the low-flow cutoff and vortex coefficient. Through the SIP, firmware can also be updated or repaired in-situ. —
Sierra Instruments, Monterey, Calif.
www.sierrainstruments.com
Vibrating hoppers for handling fibrous and flaky materials
The Live Bin is a self-contained vibrating hopper that is designed to provide positive discharge of a wide range of materials, including those in the micron size range, as well as fibrous and flaky media, on a first-in, first-out basis, assuring mass flow and eliminating material segregation. The bins may be used to discharge to any feeder or process line, or wherever a surge bin is required. Because the Live Bin’s design does not require a flexible seal, it is especially suited for sanitary applications.Live Bins may be operated on their own support legs, or can be hung from overhead steel, making them readily adaptable for scale mounting. Capacities range from 3 to 100 ft
3 of storage.—
VibraScrew Inc., Totowa, N.J.
www.vibrascrew.com
Operator control and monitoring in special environments
Siemens
The new stainless-steel Simatic Inox Pro monitors and panel PCs (photo) are suitable for use in hygienic production areas, while also meeting the requirements of the chemical and oil-and-gas industries. The devices have a high, IP66K degree of protection, and are suitable for use in the food and tobacco, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and fine chemical industries. The devices have an analog-resistive 19-in. touch display covered by a contiguous, chemically resistant decorative foil, and also have food-grade seals and splinter protection for the display. The stainless-steel enclosure is ground with a 240-grain size, which produces a surface that is smooth enough to protect against contamination. The Inox Pro devices are available either as the IPC277D Inox Pro industrial PC or as the IFP1900 Inox Pro Ethernet monitor. —
Siemens AG, Munich, Germany
www.siemens.com
An acrylic binder designed for use with low-VOC paints
Rhoplex 800h acrylic binder was created to allow for early hardness development in low-VOC (volatile organic compound) paints. The controlled polymer-morphology technology employs hard, soft and functional monomers in a single
waterborne acrylic binder to help improve hardness and block resistance in high-gloss and deep-tone architectural paints. According to the company, coatings formulated with Rhoplex 800h binder, when compared to those formulated with competitive binders, show improved tack resistance and demonstrate excellent scrape and print resistance — important qualities for trim surfaces, windows and door frames. —
Dow Coating Materials, Midland, Mich.
www.dowcoatingmaterials.com
Membrane filtration with built-in advantages
Alfa Laval
This company’s polypropylene (PP) spiral membranes (photo) are said to be more compact than alternatives, and thus provide a larger filtration area for a better performance and the possibility to produce a wider product range. These membranes deliver sustainable benefits, such as reduced water and chemical consumption, as well as longer service life, which means less maintenance and downtime. The PP spiral membranes are even more hygienic than conventional membranes, as they withstand high numbers of cleaning-in-place (CIP) cycles, hot cleaning temperatures and high pH levels. —
Alfa Laval AB, Lund, Sweden
www.alfalaval.com
TDL analyzer series is expanded for refining applications
Mettler Toledo
Four additions have been added to this company’s portfolio of tunable-diode-laser (TDL) spectrometers (photo). The GPro 500 has been available for O
2, CO and moisture measurement. Now, models for O
2 plus temperature, CO%, CO
2%, and a combined CO
2% plus CO% make the full GPro 500 portfolio suitable for many petroleum-refinery processes, where paramagnetic and extractive non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) analyzers are normally used. These applications include catalyst regeneration in fluidized catalytic cracking (FCC) units, and ethylene oxide and purified terephthalic acid production. For processes where accurate, low-range extractive measurement is required, the company has also introduced a white cell adaptation that provides an effective path length of 10 m and boosts measurement resolution by a factor of 10. —
Mettler Toledo AG, Udorf, Switzerland
www.mt.com/tdl
Optimize chemical addition in cloth-media filters
Aqua-Aerobic Systems
The IntelliPro filtration optimization system (photo) is a PC-based control system for this company’s cloth-media filters that uses realtime data to optimize chemical addition to meet phosphorus-removal objectives. The system features automatic, optimal-dose selection for metal salts, polymer and pH-adjusting chemicals. The IntelliPro system is can be used to assist treatment plants in achieving low-level phosphorus objectives while reducing expenses. Advantages of the IntelliPro system include: chemical savings through load-based control; automated multi-point analysis; automatic chemical-dose response curves that replace jar testing; and automatic composite sampling. —
Aqua-Aerobic Systems, Inc., Loves Park, Ill.
www.aqua-aerobic.com
New compact gear pumps fit into tight spaces
Clark Solutions
The UP2 family of self-priming, compact electric gear pumps (photo) are available in 12- and 24-V d.c. versions and with flowrates up to 2.6 gal/min for water (52.9 gal/h for oil). The UP2 Series is designed for applications with an operating temperature range of –10 to 60°C. Self-priming to 1.5 m, UP2 gear pumps measure 3 in. × 5 in. × 4-3/8 in., enabling them to be placed in very tight enclosures. The Model UP2/Oil gear pumps feature bronze gear construction and are designed for the transfer of engine oils, fresh water or other non-corrosive viscous liquids. Model UP2/P gear pumps, featuring PTFE gears, are designed for transfer of fresh and salt water, as well as for diesel fuel. —
Clark Solutions, Hudson, Mass.
www.clarksol.com
These flowmeters are equipped with high-temperature sensors
Kral
For flowmeters, sensors limit the maximum operating temperature while the flow volume and direction of flow are registered by means of spindle rotation. In addition to the available standard model for temperatures of up to 125°C, the economically priced OMP series is now also available with high-temperature sensors for operating at temperatures up to 200°C. The so-called Volumeter (photo) delivers a precision of±0.1% of the measuring value. —
Kral AG, Lustenau, Austria
www.kral.at
Use this probe for level detection with heavy materials
BinMaster
This company’s stainless-steel HD probe (photo) can be attached to either the Procap I or Procap II capacitance probes. This rugged probe comes in a standard 8-in. length and features a shield that guards against false readings from material buildup on the probe. The wide diameter of the probe increases the surface area for maximum sensitivity and performance. It is suitable for use with temperatures up to 500°F, making it appropriate for challenging applications. Because the probe is solid and 1-in. in diameter, it is resistant to bending and extremely durable, says the manufacturer. It can be used for level detection in heavy materials, such as coal, aggregates, grains or other materials with a high bulk density. —
BinMaster, Lincoln, Neb.
www.binmaster.com
These enclosures are now available in 316 stainless steel
The TS 8 enclosure cabinet is now available in 316 stainless-steel construction for use in harsh environments, providing resistance to corrosion, high temperatures, common chlorides (such as s
alt present in seawater), as well as chemicals, including sulfuric acid, bromides, iodides and fatty acids. The addition of the 316 stainless-steel iteration of the TS 8 extends the cabinet’s applications to oil-and-gas, water-supply and wastewater-management installations. The modular enclosure systems can be connected for further flexibility. The new TS 8 models have lower weight, while adding 30% more mounting space within, along with easier assembly, according to the manufacturer. —
Rittal Corp., Schaumburg, Ill.
www.rittalenclosures.com
Achieve faster actuation for butterfly valves
Asahi/America
The Speed Handle kit for butterfly valves (photo) consists of this company’s PlasGear handwheel and an attached grip, and allows for smoother and faster single-handed revolutions for quicker valve actuation. The Speed Handle grip is constructed of black Nylon 6 with a stainless-steel 400, chromate-treated M10 bolt and stainless-steel M10 hex nut. Designed for use with this company’s butterfly valves in sizes 1.5 through 16 in., the Speed Handle can be installed in the field to in-service valves, or at the factory for new valves. —
Asahi/America, Inc., Malden, Mass.
www.asahi-america.com
Use this power-distribution system for plant maintenance
The MGS-DC-30KVA-480-220-110 power distribution system enables operators in industrial settings to utilize power sources independently of the work area. The 30-kVA system converts three-phase or single-phase 480 V
a.c. to single-phase 120 and 240 V a.c. Designed to withstand demanding conditions, the transformer is mounted to a 3/16-in. carbon-steel mounting platform, and the distribution assembly is mounted on a rugged square steel tubing frame with rectangular carbon-steel skid pockets and a top-mounted eyelet to allow for ease of transport. This unit is suitable for use in many applications, including plant maintenance and welding stations. —
Larson Electronics, Kemp, Tex.
www.larsonelectronics.com
Reduce waste fluids with this coolant-recycling system
PRAB
The Guardian coolant recycling system (photo) is a management tool for fluid reclamation for operations with industrial coolant or washwater reservoirs. The Guardian system can reduce new fluid purchases by up to 75% and reduces waste fluids up to 90% by recycling used coolants, says the company. Free-floating and mechanically dispersed tramp oils are reduced to 0.1% or less at process rates of 90 to 1,500 gal/h. Guardian systems operate with a continuous-overflow process that provides multiple passes to prevent rancidity. —
PRAB, Kalamazoo, Mich.
www.prab.com
Next-generation connectors for steam-trap installations
Spirax Sarco
Traditional steam-trapping assemblies often require the plant to be shut down for new traps to be installed, taking significant time and reducing production output. The new PC3000 & PC4000 pipeline connectors (photo), with single or double isolation, allow for steam traps to be installed without shutting down the process. These pipeline connectors are appropriate for the petroleum, petrochemical and specialty chemical industries. They are suitable for manifold applications where steam traps are used on tracing and main-line drainage. Some of the features and benefits include: a forged body rated for ASME 600 that is suitable up to 800°F; a fully shrouded piston valve stem, which reduces the potential for corrosion; and a standard fitted strainer, which protects the steam trap from debris entrained in the condensate. —
Spirax Sarco, Inc., Blythewood, S.C.
www.spiraxsarco.com
Improved connectivity with tablet-based shaft alignment
Prüftechnik Dieter Busch
After introducing tab@lign — the first-ever laser-shaft-alignment app — in 2013, this company now adds new features and the latest OS3 sensor technology into the package (photo). New features include advanced graphical PDF reporting, showing the alignment condition as found and as left. Photos of the machine or application may also be included, as well as additional asset-related data. The report may be sent immediately via email, which drastically reduces the alignment cycle time. Another improvement is the addition of tolerances whereby the alignment status is evaluated automatically and displayed in the results screen. The tab@lign package also now comes with the latest OS3 sensors for the best precision of its class, says the manufacturer. —
Prüftechnik Dieter Busch AG, Ismaning, Germany
www.pruftechnik.com