What's New
Insertion and Wafer Flowmeters Require No Maintenance
RNS Series (insertion) and RWS Series (wafer) vortex steam flowmeters are designed for measuring noncondensing steam and saturated process steam at pressures up to 150 psi. They are suitable for use in boiler-monitoring and energy-related applications, as well as for building and facilities management. The meters have no moving parts and are virtually maintenance-free. The loop-powered devices use standard HART communications protocols for easy field programming and system integration. They operate over a temperature range of –20°F to 366°F, with an accuracy of ±1% of reading and repeatability of 0.5%. They are pre-calibrated for specific uses, and can be rescaled in the field using PC software that is included. The RNS Series flowmeter is available for pipe sizes from 6 in. to 72 in. (152–1,829 mm), has a 35:1 turndown ratio, and can be configured for mass flow measurements. The RWS flowmeter is made of Type 316 stainless steel wetted parts and is available in five sizes for flange mounting in pipes from 0.5 in. to 4 in. It features a very small bluff bar for little or no pressure drop and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)-traceable calibration.
Appeared In Issue: December 2009
Racine Vortex
www.racinefed.com
Suppression Sensors Ignore Crosstalk
The World-Beam QS18 background suppression sensor ignores everything beyond a set distance of up to 300 mm, permitting operation in areas where the background cannot be controlled. Its companion foreground suppression sensor detects objects of any shape or color that come between it and an unchanging background, up to 200 mm away, without a blind zone. These sensors are suitable for use in packaging machinery, solar panel production, material handling, food processing, and pharmaceutical applications. They do not react to fluorescent light, which allows them to be placed below conveyors, facing overhead lighting. A multi-turn screw adjustment allows the user to set the cutoff distance, and the sensors’ built-in crosstalk immunity allows multiple sensors to be used in close proximity. The sensing beam is a visible red light emitting diode (LED), and output options include negative-positive-negative (NPN), positive-negative-positive (PNP) and bipolar (1 NPN, 1 PNP). The sensors have a wide range of mounting and durability options, including IP67 and National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) 6-rated models that can withstand harsh environments.
Appeared In Issue: December 2009
Banner Engineering Corp.
www.bannerengineering.com
Insertion Probe Monitors Bioproduction in Real-Time
The SpectroSens insertion probe performs real-time monitoring of fermentation processes, tracking both compositional changes and the temperature of the broth. It can take multiple discrete readings simultaneously at numerous locations, which increases overall reliability by reducing the chance of false positive readings. SpectroSens sensors can be placed throughout the production process and networked via a control and analysis unit. The sensors use only light at the point of measurement, making them intrinsically safe and spark-free. The probe fits into standard ports of dissolved oxygen and pH probes, allowing ultra-high-resolution, optical microchip technology to be applied to existing benchtop and large-scale bioreactor equipment.
Appeared In Issue: December 2009
Stratophase
www.stratophase.com
Multivariable Transmitter Simplifies Flow Measurement
The Rosemount 3051SMV transmitter improves productivity and energy management while enhancing environmental compliance. It measures three variables and provides mass and energy flow output, reducing the number of devices usually needed to make differential-pressure flow measurements from ten to one. It updates flow measurement 22 times per second, providing effective tracking of production, demand, and total usage of process gas, steam and natural gas. This results in more-accurate billing, as well as immediate detection of anomalies that lead to product loss. The transmitter can be scaled to optimize flow measurement in four different applications: full compensation (differential pressure, line pressure, and temperature measurement) for gas, natural gas or steam; differential and line pressure measurement for saturated steam; differential pressure and temperature measurement for liquids or saturated steam; and differential pressure measurement for liquids at stable temperatures. Configuration is simple — the user enters just three application parameters, and then the Engineering Assistant software handles the rest of the setup.
Appeared In Issue: December 2009
Emerson Process Management
www.emersonprocess.com
Chemical-Injection Data Logger Monitors Flowrates
The RDC-CI chemical-injection data logger monitors the flow of corrosion inhibitor injections using quills and nozzles as contacts to calculate chemical delivery rates from 0.5 to 100 gal/d. The positive-displacement flowmeter, which operates at temperatures from –40°F to 158°F, detects chemical flow interruptions caused by low tank levels, pump failures, and high-temperature vapor locks. It can be permanently piped-in for continuous monitoring, or for occasional in-line testing, it can be piped-in on a temporary basis with an accessory kit of flexible 2-ft hoses and quick-connect couplings. Data may be transferred directly to a laptop, or gathered by the manufacturer’s Checkmate portable data collector technology for processing.
Appeared In Issue: December 2009
Rohrback Cosasco Systems
www.cosasco.com
Digital Paddle-Wheel Flowmeters are Tamper-Proof
Enhanced digital paddle-wheel flowmeters are designed to offer cost-effective solutions to medium-flow liquid applications. Access is password-protected to eliminate user-tampering or resetting. Flowrate readings can be displayed in 23 different volumetric or mass-flow engineering units. Parameters and functions can be programmed locally via an optional keypad with a liquid crystal display interface, or remotely using an RS-232/RS-485 interface. These flowmeters support various functions, including two independently programmable flow totalizers, a self-diagnostic alarm, flow-pulse output, and analog 0–5-VDC or 4–20-mA output flow and temperature signals. The units are constructed of polypropylene or chemically resistant polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), and they can be mounted either horizontally or vertically. They are designed to be used in metering, test stand, original equipment manufacturer (OEM), water treatment, water dispensing, flow verification, and process applications.
Appeared In Issue: December 2009
Aalborg Instruments
www.aalborg.com
RO Desalination Plants are Modular and Economical
These pre-engineered packaged desalination plants are available in base sizes of up to 2 million gal/d, and modular building blocks can be added to expand plant capacity to as high as 50 million gal/d. This reverse osmosis (RO) seawater processing system combines a lightweight, large-diameter pressure vessel with the manufacturer’s MegaMagnum PLUS seawater technology. One MegaMagnum element measuring 18 in. dia. by 61 in. long provides an economic alternative to the traditional configuration that requires seven standard 8-in. by 40-in. elements. High-rejection MegaMagnum elements are available for high flow and typical flow seawater applications.
Appeared In Issue: December 2009
Koch Membrane Systems
www.kochmembrane.com
These Rugged Accelerometers Withstand Mechanical Shock
A320 Series ultra-low-range linear servo accelerometers take high-precision measurements, from ±0.1 g to ±2 g, with a full range of ±5-VDC or 4–20-mA outputs. These gravity-referenced, closed-loop sensors can reliably monitor acceleration down to 20 μg while withstanding mechanical shock levels of up to 1,500 g. The sensors are housed in a rugged, anodized aluminum alloy case, and can be specified with a connector or solder pin electrical termination. They are fully self-contained, and can be connected to a DC power source and readout or to a control device to form a complete measurement system.
Appeared In Issue: December 2009
Sherborne Sensors
www.sherbornesensors.com
Secure Titrator Improves Lab Safety
The G20 compact titrator has a One Click user interface with four shortcut buttons that can be set for direct access to routine tasks in basic applications. It is customizable so that each user has a personal home screen, shortcuts and operation language. The titrator also features a solvent manager that facilitates the filling and draining of solvents used for titration analysis. This improves laboratory safety by minimizing personnel contact with toxic chemicals. The G20’s security is enhanced with the manufacturer’s LabX light titration software for the PC, which offers full titrator control, safe database archiving, and efficient management of results with graphic monitoring and individual search filters.
Appeared In Issue: December 2009
Mettler Toledo
www.mt.com
Ion Exchange Membrane Capsules Improve Biotechnology Process Economics
Designed to provide flexibility and high performance, Mustang Q XT series reusable chromatography capsules help process development engineers reduce purification time, increase throughput, and cut buffer consumption costs in ion exchange applications. They are available in 5-mL, 140-mL and 5-L sizes, and units can be linked in parallel or in series to increase processing capabilities. Each capsule has 16 layers of the Mustang Q membrane. XT140 and XT5000 capsules use the manufacturer’s patented Ultipleat high-density pleating technology to maximize membrane volume without increasing the device’s small footprint. A highly durable polypropylene housing incorporates a chemically resistant polyethersulfone membrane, which provides the stability needed for cleaning and reuse and for long-term storage. Unlike beaded sorbents, the dynamic binding capacity of a Mustang membrane is independent of its flowrate, so performance can be maintained over a wide range of flowrates and molecular sizes. This makes the capsules useful in high-flowrate contaminant-removal applications and in the capture or removal of large molecules.
Appeared In Issue: December 2009
Pall Life Sciences
www.pall.com
Bushing Materials Withstand Submersion and High Temperatures
Pillow Block Model 163 is a rugged, easy-to-install bearing assembly designed to operate under high- or low-load conditions in moderate-speed applications. This heavy-duty unit is available in cast iron or stainless steel, with optional cast-iron split-angle housing. It is suitable for use in high-temperature applications, such as ovens, drag-line conveyors and dampers. It also performs well in wet applications, such as washdowns, and in submerged applications, such as plating tanks and industrial washers. This model is part of a line of pillow block bearings that have a low coefficient of friction and are chemically resistant and non-galling. They are self-lubricating throughout, providing long life and reliable operation.
Appeared In Issue: December 2009
Graphite Metallizing Corp.
www.graphalloy.com
Mixing Technology Improves Heat Protection for Tubesheets
The VectorWall mixing checkerwall system improves the operation of tubesheets in reaction furnaces and boilers by eliminating dead zones, which increases the effective volume of the furnace or boiler and improves its overall combustion efficiency. The system is an improvement on the manufacturer’s existing HexWall system, using the add-on Vector Tile to create a swirling vortex in the reaction chamber rather than the individual flows within the boxes of the checkerwall. The tile also protects the tubesheet refractory from direct flame impingement and hot spots.
Appeared In Issue: December 2009
Blasch Precision Ceramics
www.blaschceramics.com
Stainless Steel Conveyors Perform in Washdown Applications
These conveyors handle drums, pallets, and intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) in sizes from 500 lb to 5,000 lb in washdown applications. They are comprised of Type 304 stainless steel rollers, bearings, sprockets, chains, frames and supports with a washdown drive. They are available as a complete system that inferfaces with a drum-dumping system, using individually powered accumulation zones. Their all-welded construction with sturdy stainless steel components provides strength and encourages reliable long-term operation.
Appeared In Issue: December 2009
Specialty Equipment
www.specialtyequipment.com