New Products & Services
April 2022
Batch high-shear mixers equipped with the Solids/Liquid Injection Manifold (SLIM) Technology (photo) deliver powders in an efficient manner for quick wet-out and complete dispersion into low-viscosity liquids. In a conventional rotor/stator mixer, materials are continually drawn from below the mixing head and then expelled at high velocity through the stator openings. A SLIM mixer assembly with Progressive Spiral Porting creates a powerful vacuum that draws powders directly into the high shear zone and rapidly disperses individual solid particles into the liquid vehicle. This method of powder addition dramatically reduces the formation of lumps (fisheyes), prevents floating powders, eliminates dusting, and accelerates mixing time, says the manufacturer. The SLIM can also be used to introduce minor liquid components and create fine emulsions. To easily raise and lower the mixer in and out of the mix vessel, a floor-mounted design equipped with an air/oil hydraulic lift is available. Safety limit switches prevent operation of the mixer while in a raised position or without a mix vessel in place. — Charles Ross & Son Company, Hauppauge, N.Y.
The complete product line of this company's stainless-steel constructed NSF/ANSI 61-certified automatic Flo-Trol valves (photo) are now available. The most recent additions to the Flo-Trol flow-regulator line includes 3/8- through 3-in. models, and standard flow range offerings from 0.19 to 120 gal/min. With only one internal controlling mechanism — a Buna-N self-cleaning orifice — Flo-Trol flow regulators provide constant flow over a wide pressure range. Flowrates are maintained within±15%, averaging between 15 and 125 psi. Additional specifications include a max pressure of 200 psi and max temperature of 180°F. — Flomatic Corp., Glenn Falls, N.Y.
The 50-mm HPS high-purity pressure gage with reed switch (photo) is ultrasonically cleaned to provide exceptional quality and reliability in ultra-high-purity gas delivery systems. The reed-switch capability provides an additional safety feature through actuating an internal switch that triggers an alarm or a process condition change. The gage features stainless-steel construction and wetted components that are ideal for use with industrial gases in semiconductor and electronic manufacturing. It is helium leak tested to 1 × 10 –8 std. mL3/s, cleaned in class 10,000 cleanroom and packed in a polyethylene-sealed bag after nitrogen gas flushing. — Ashcroft Inc., Stratford, Conn.
The Chem-Feed CD1 (photo) is engineered to ensure almost no maintenance requirement for the life of the pump. CD1 is suitable for dosing with gas-forming chemicals, such as peracetic acid or sodium hypochlorite. The CD1 Dual Diaphragm Hyperlink Drive Technology pumps chemicals continuously, is self-priming and will not vapor lock. Engineered for zero maintenance, the CD1 includes the patented ultra-durable diaphragm, called DiaFlex, which is an exclusive single-layer diaphragm designed to last the life of the pump. The CD1 has a dosing rate of up to 7.70 gal/h (29.2 L/h) and is easy to install and operate. — Blue-White Industries Ltd., Huntington Beach, Calif.
This company is launching the first standardized electrolyzer suitable for mass production. The EL 4.0 (photo) is a fourth-generation anion-exchange-membrane (AEM) electrolyzer the company has been developed since 2017. The new version is smaller, lighter and ISO 22734 certifiable. The technology combines the benefits of alkaline electrolyzers’ low-cost materials (steel instead of titanium) with the flexibility and compact size of proton-exchange-membrane (PEM) electrolyzers. The standardized modules can be stacked and combined for projects of any size — all the way to the megawatt scale. The EL 4.0 has a production rate of 500 NL/h of H2 with 99.9% purity (99.999% with optional dryer) and a pressure of 35 bars. — Enapter AG, Berlin, Germany
The Titan (photo) is a specific fixed gas detector, based on photoionization detection (PID), designed only for the monitoring of benzene. This makes it the perfect choice for use in asphalt manufacturing plants, where benzene is likely to be the most prominent volatile organic compound (VOC) that requires management and monitoring. As a fixed unit, the Titan can be installed at regular distances around sites, and with its “plug and play” installation approach, the Titan can be left monitoring without the need for intervention. Two alarm systems can be set at the user’s convenience, and another two are pre-set relays for immediate warnings, so no exposure incident is ever missed. The Titan offers continuous real-time data feedback of VOC concentrations in the air, taking samples every minute to an accuracy of 0.1 parts per million (ppm) or +10%, whichever is greater. — Ion Science Ltd., Royston, U.K.
Drain valves comprise up to 20% of all valves in a typical processing plant. But cleaning them is costly, difficult and time-consuming due to long cleaning cycles and the risk of pressure shocks. The new ThinkTop pulse seat clean (photo) addresses all these issues, quickly and effectively cleaning drain valves while delivering savings of up to 95% in cleaning-in-place (CIP) liquid, says the company. Short bursts, or pulses, drive the valve cleaning process, activating the valve when shear forces peak. Each position-based pulse takes less than a second, preventing pressure shocks in the system. The pulse creates high turbulent flow as the liquid passes through the narrow gap between the valve house and valve seat, effectively removing all residuals for spotless drain valves. Intended for use with single-seat valves or butterfly valves used as drain valves, pulse seat clean is a standard feature of ThinkTop V50 and V70 sensing and control units with one solenoid valve. — Alfa Laval AB, Lund, Sweden
Launched last month, the energy- and water-efficient AC (activated carbon) filter responds to the market’s increasing demand for advanced and sustainable battery-metals processing technologies. The modular AC filtration technology (photo) is designed for smaller side streams of copper and other metal-loaded aqueous streams. It is specifically suited for efficient organics removal before the electrowinning and crystallization processes. The AC filter utilizes the already proven design and operation philosophy of the company’s DM filter product family and is suitable for both greenfield and brownfield installations. Benefits of the AC filter include: increased end-product yield and quality; increased recovery and recycling of valuable process chemicals; low energy consumption, due to low pumping pressure; and minimized water consumption with optimized back washing. — Metso Outotec Corp., Helsinki, Finland
The Aseptomag LV leakage valve is a mixproof double-seat valve is designed for manufacturers of foods and beverages, as well as pharmaceutical products. Typical examples are products with an extended shelf life (ESL), such as soft drinks, fruit juices and milk-based and lactic-acid fermented products, along with plant-based alternatives sold chilled by retailers. The design features significantly mitigate the risk of contamination in this hygiene class. In addition, products become more durable — with less preservatives. Thanks to its dimensions, the compact double-seat valve for ESL processes takes up less space and is easier to install and maintain than aseptic alternatives. Technical features, such as the backstroke barrier, can be easily retrofitted without the need to replace the actuator or other existing equipment. The leakage valve is available in the upright LV version for typical valve matrices (photo, left) and in the LVBS version (right) for tank bottoms. The latter is typically used for tank installations and can also be connected to a pigging station for resource-saving product recovery systems. — GEA Group, Düsseldorf, Germany
REconnect (photo) is a new a coupling device for simple and safe decoupling and recoupling of diaphragm seal systems, including process connections and measuring devices. REconnect consists of two parts — one fitted to the measuring device, the other to the process connection – and with the aid of the special lock, they are easily separated. The lock is detachable and can be retained separately so that REconnect cannot be operated accidentally or by unauthorized persons. After separation, the two parts of the coupling are each closed with covers made of stainless steel to protect the measuring instrument and diaphragm seal. The fast coupling is vacuum-proof and has no parts that can be lost. It is suitable for applications in the pharmaceutical, food and chemical industries. — Labom Mess- und Regeltechnik GmbH, Hude, Germany
Automatic WIP-Systems (photo) provide a reliable and repeatable process for cleaning mixing systems — such as the Ploughshare Mixers — an important task especially in life-science applications. A smart arrangement of rotating cleaning nozzles inside the mixing drum ensures a thorough rinsing of all product contact surfaces without any need for filling the machine with cleaning media. By simultaneous rotation of mixing elements and cleaning nozzles, any spray shadows are avoided. The gear-driven rotating flat fan nozzles guarantee an intensive and uniform cleaning of all surfaces. Besides the rotating cleaning nozzles inside the mixing drum, the seals for the mixing elements and choppers are purged with water and all ports on the machine are cleaned effectively by static, locally installed cleaning nozzles. — Lödige Process Technology, Paderborn, Germany
The Pearlo 350 EAC underwater pelletizing system (photo) has a liquid-heated die plate for high capacities, delivering throughputs of 18,000 kg/h of virgin polymer. The unique cutting-blade design and optimum water- and material-flow conditions within the cutting chamber provide not only ideal and homogeneous cooling effects, but also outstanding pellet quality, says the company. Another design feature is the cutting-blade advance system, which permits axial movement of the cutter shaft, resulting in a precise blade advance, as well as a regrinding of the blades during production. This allows higher equipment availability and lengthened production runs, which saves costs. — Maag Pump Systems, Oberglatt, Switzerland
The new Emission Control Gauge (EMICOgauge; photo) pressure-measuring system features the assembly of a model 2xx.30 pressure gage in a safety version in accordance with EN 837-1 (S3) and a valve to prevent fugitive emissions. An easily rotating adapter with a special sealing packing connects the measuring instrument and the valve. The system is fully leak-tested in accordance with the requirements of TA Luft (VDI 2440) for fugitive emissions. The EMICOgauge measures pressures from 0 to 420 bars. In the event of a fault due to high overpressure, the S-3 safety version protects the user from injury. The freely rotating swivel adapter allows 360-deg positioning of the display and easy dismounting of the measuring instrument for calibration. — WIKA Alexander Wiegand SE & Co. KG, Klingenberg, Germany
R. Stahl
Two new relay modules have been added to this company’s product range for hazardous areas in Zone 1. The series 9174 and 9177 (photo) relay modules enable a.c. and d.c. loads to be switched using the Ex e and Ex i types of protection. The compact devices are just 12 mm wide, and only require a suitable field enclosure made of plastic or thin-walled stainless steel. The 9177 enables galvanically isolated switching of intrinsically safe (Ex i) and non-intrinsically safe (Ex e) electrical circuits using an electromechanical relay. Any combination of both Ex i and Ex e electrical circuits can be connected to the coil and contact connections. This enables a single relay module to be used in up to four operating modes. The 9174 relay module switches electronically, which makes it suitable for applications with frequent switching operations. — R. Stahl AG, Waldenburg, Germany
Endress+Hauser
Netilion Water Networks Insights (NWNI; photo) provides reliable monitoring of flow, pressure, temperature, level, water quality and other measurements. This software service connects all levels of water supply systems, empowering service providers and water associations to manage multiple control and data sources through a single interface. These sources include field devices, industrial controllers, data transfer components, data recording and archiving devices, analysis and forecasting tools, and others. NWNI provides access to all measurement data gathered in a water network and transmitted to the cloud, whether its users are accessing the system from a control room computer, via a laptop at home, on a tablet in the field, or from a smartphone on the move. The web-based interface provides users with complete system monitoring, and when limit values are exceeded, or in the event of failure, it delivers alarms to users via e-mail, SMS, or push notifications. — Endress+Hauser, Greenwood, Ind.