What's New
Tracking Device Monitors Mobile Hazardous Materials
The Asset Command Unit (ACU) is a wireless tracking device that uses a global positioning system (GPS) to monitor and report on a railcar’s location and other metrics, including shock and vibration, temperature of contents, open/closed hatch status, and loaded/empty status. This rugged telemetry device is mounted on the railcar or locomotive and features a microprocessor, a GPS receiver, and a digital cellular modem. The power for the unit is provided by a lithium-ion battery, maintained by an integrated solar panel. The ACU provides the location, direction of travel, and speed of the locomotive or railcar. Customers can check the status of their tank cars at any time via a user-friendly, secure Web portal, which is linked to Google Maps and the manufacturer’s back-end database. The ACU System received the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 913 Intrinsically Safe Certification for operation in Class 1, 2, and 3, Division 1 hazardous locations, making it safe for use on tank cars hauling flammable or explosive materials. It is capable of reporting as often as every 15 min to meet anticipated governmental requirements covering the shipment of hazardous materials and toxic inhalants in high-threat urban areas.
Appeared In Issue: January 2008
RFTrax
www.rftrax.com
Large Screens Display SCADA Data
Clarity RP and RX rear-projection displays are designed for demanding control room applications. The units are available in both 50-in. and 67-in. sizes, with an option of either an open or integrated system. These displays feature the manufacturer’s Set It and Forget It (SiFi) technology, which reduces the time and expertise needed to optimally balance a video wall. The RP series is geared specifically for data-rich applications, such as running supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) software or high-resolution satellite imagery/mapping. The RX displays are competitively priced and feature-rich units suitable for control rooms requiring standard XGA native resolution (1,024 768). Both displays fit together with zero-mullion while retaining 100% pixel viewing, and they can be deployed in curved-video-wall configurations while remaining serviceable from the front.
Appeared In Issue: January 2008
Planar Systems, Inc.
www.planarcontrolroom.com
Leak Tester Displays Accurate Results in Real Time
The Sentinel I-24 leak tester uses proprietary algorithms and a 32-bit processor to enhance its speed, repeatability and accuracy. The device performs automatic calibration to ensure accurate results, and the manufacturer’s Quik tests to analyze results, all in real time. With an interface that includes up to five programmable tool controls, the Sentinel I-24 is capable of flexible multi-testing. It features easily expandable USB data storage, an enhanced operating system, flexible communication formats (e.g., Ethernet, USB port or RS232), and automatic setup for easy programming. It can be mounted on the wall or bench top.
Appeared In Issue: January 2008
Cincinnati Test Systems, Inc.
www.cincinnati-test.com
Sulfur Analyzer Takes Accurate Measurements
The Total Sulfur (TS) 4000 analyzer incorporates true total sulfur (TTS) technology, which removes nitrogen interference and provides true total sulfur results, down to trace levels. Detectors typically identify nitrogen as nitrogen oxide because it emits at the same wavelength as sulfur dioxide, resulting in inaccurate analysis. This analyzer is suitable for a range of refinery and petroleum sample types with high nitrogen concentrations. TTS technology incorporates the same ASTM D5453 methodology used by the Environmental Protection Agency to formulate regulations limiting the sulfur content in automotive fuels. All TS 4000 analyzers feature the NeXYZ liquid universal autosampler, which offers quick automatic sample introduction and can be used for solids as well as direct and indirect injection of small volumes of hydrocarbons.
Appeared In Issue: January 2008
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.
www.thermo.com
Portable Paperless Recorders Offer Many Input Channels
The MV1000/MV2000 portable paperless recorders have large-capacity memories and offer many more input channels than conventional models (MV100/MV200). The MV1000 features a 24-channel input and the MV2000 has a 48-channel input. The recorders accept many types of inputs, including up to 18 kinds of thermocouples and 12 kinds of resistance temperature detectors (RTDs). Insulation allows the recorders to withstand up to 1,000 V. They each feature 200 MB of memory, which lasts for about 75 days of continuous 12-channel measurement usage, handling data storage at 1-s intervals. Data can be stored in external storage media, such as a CF card or USB memory. Setup is intuitive, fast and easy, and removable input terminals simplify wiring.
Appeared In Issue: January 2008
Yokogawa Electric Corp.
www.yokogawa.com
Pressure Sensor Measures High-Purity Gases and Liquids
The AST4900 is a competitively priced, high-quality pressure sensor suitable for measuring gases and liquids in high-purity applications. These stainless steel sensors are free of oil-fill, welds and internal O-rings, which eliminates the risk of system contamination in extreme conditions. The sensors are available with two standard fittings: 0.25-in. NPT male and 0.25-in. VCR male. Each sensing element is machined from 316L stainless steel and is electropolished to remove contaminants. The one-piece design can also be manufactured using Inconel 718, a nickel alloy with a wide range of chemical compatibility. The AST4900 can be scaled for pressure ranges of 0–25 psi to 0–10,000 psi. Built to operate in temperatures that range from –40°F to 185°F, this model’s standard performance is rated to 0.25% best-fit straight line (BFSL). Moreover, the AST4900 carries 2X over-range and 5X burst pressure protection, and is built to withstand more than 100 million pressure cycles.
Appeared In Issue: January 2008
American Sensor Technologies
www.astsensors.com
Alumina Ceramic Balls Withstand Harsh Conditions
These spherical, dry-pressed alumina-ceramic balls are designed for mechanical devices that provide rotary or linear motion, such as check and ball valves and bearings. Because alumina is resistant to high temperatures and most corrosive substances, the balls are suitable for use in extremely harsh environments. In addition, balls manufactured with alumina are stiffer, lighter, smoother, harder and more electrically resistant than comparable steel products, providing increased versatility at a more cost-effective price. The balls are manufactured using precision-made tooling and different grades of alumina, varying from 85% to 99.5% purity. Standard sizes include 0.2, 0.375, 0.4375, 0.5, 0.75 and 0.885-in.
Appeared In Issue: January 2008
Morgan Advanced Ceramics
www.morganadvancedceramics.com
Vitamin E Fights Oxidation in Prosthetic Implants
Two new grades of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) contain vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol), a biocompatible antioxidant that provides effective oxidation stability. Prosthetic implants are often sterilized by irradiation; the vitamin E in the polymer reduces a prosthetic’s susceptibility to oxidation that normally occurs in this process. The material has high impact strength, as well as high abrasion, fatigue and crack resistance. This biocompatible thermoplastic meets the standards of the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP), Class IV, and is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Appeared In Issue: January 2008
Ticona Polyplastics Co. Ltd.
www.ticona.com
Discharger Eliminates Bridging in the Hopper
Designed for controlling the feed of needle-like materials in a mixing process, the Live Bottom Bin Discharger operates as a storage hopper, providing even flow to a vibratory feeder. It measures 36-in. in diameter and has a capacity of 10 ft3. The entire self-contained system is supplied with dust-tight covers and dust boots, and can be made portable for moving from one area to another.
Appeared In Issue: January 2008
Metso BEST, Inc.
www.bestvibes.com
Dust-Containment System Protects Clean-Change Bags
The Triple-Sealed Bag-In/Bag-Out (BIBO) system ensures dust containment during filter replacement operations in chemical and pharmaceutical applications. The containment bags are made of a rugged, proprietary material, Armorflex, which is designed to withstand tough handling operations. To avoid cuts, tears or holes in the bags, the system’s design does not expose the bags to the inside of the dirty air plenum, where abrasion is likely. Instead, the system is mounted on the outside of the manufacturer’s Downflo dust collector; the clean-change bags are stored on the clean air side, away from the dirty air plenum, which minimizes worker exposure to potentially hazardous compounds. The bag-changing procedure cycles only one filter at a time and can be executed efficiently by one person.
Appeared In Issue: January 2008
Donaldson Torit
www.donaldson.com
Rugged Mixers Offer Many Options
QED Plus mixers are suitable for a broad range of fluid mixing applications in the specialty chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical and other industries. They are capable of performing blending, solids suspension, and high-viscosity-fluid processing tasks. The exclusive leakproof drywell design features a minimum 30,000-h L10 bearing life for cost-effective service. A tapered shaft-engagement system ensures easy disassembly, yet provides a secure, true-running connection between the shaft and drive. The mixers are available in various sizes with an option for continuous or batch mixing. Their right-angle, heavy-duty gear drive requires little headroom, allowing installation in tight spaces. The rugged cast-iron drive housing provides long service life and the type 316L stainless steel pedestal ensures maximum corrosion resistance. Open tank, stuffing box and mechanical seal options are available.
Appeared In Issue: January 2008
Chemineer, Inc
www.chemineer.com
Plastic Filters Will Not Rust
Duplex Polyline bag filters do not rust or corrode because they are manufactured with no metal components. Their one-piece polypropylene-molded filter housing bodies have no seams, welds or crevices to trap particles, making them easy to clean. A quick quarter-turn of the operating lever diverts flow from one filter housing to the other by means of a chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) plastic valve assembly. This feature allows the process to continuously run during bag change-outs. These adjustable bag filters can be auto-mated for remote operation by replacing the operating lever on the CPVC valve assembly with either a pneumatic or electric actuator. Filter housing covers feature an all-plastic, built-in vent valve with an integral gage tap, allowing application flexibility as inlet and outlet connections can be easily adapted to both inline and loop piping arrangements. The covers can be removed without the use of tools. Integral plastic mounting skids are standard, simplifying bad installation. The filters are available in sizes for standard number 1, single-length or number 2, double-length filter bags.
Appeared In Issue: January 2008
Eaton Filtration LLC
www.filtration.eaton.com