MATERIALS AND CHEMICALS
Binder for Textile Coating Strengthens Wet and Dry Materials
Appretan NTR is a water-based textile coating binder made of renewable ingredients for applications such as tea bags, coffee filters, and capsules. Approximately one-third of its active content is based on a polysaccharide, and the material does not contain biocides or alkylphenolethoxylates (APEO), nor does it release formaldehyde. Optimum properties can be achieved without additional curing at high temperature, thus helping textile producers save energy. Developed for the chemical bonding of nonwovens used for technical textiles and coatings, the binder has excellent film-forming properties. Its chemistry makes it resistant to water, mild solvents, oils, and fats, and it increases the dry and wet tensile strength of the material on which it is applied. It can also be applied in combination with other crosslinkers. The binder complies with global food-contact standards, and is certified for use in conditions such as immersion in boiling water.
Archroma
Fuel Blend Is Approved for a Wide Variety of Operations
ETHANOX 4737R, a fuel antioxidant blend, offers low-temperature fluidity to facilitate batch and injection blending. The blend has military and ASTM approvals for gasoline and aviation fuel stabilization and meets many industry requirements for fuel additives. The entire ETHANOX line is intended to maximize fuel storage life and protect fuel systems, which helps refiners meet rigorous fuel regulations, standards, and specifications. Since ETHANOX 4737R is free of 2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenol (TTBP) and its high flash point solvent contains less than 1% naphthalene, it is a safer option for workers and the environment than other fuels.
SI Group
Polymers Enhance Urethane-Based Coatings
Four new polymers are now available for urethane-based coating systems. The Adiprene LF prepolymers are designed for applications that require durability and longevity, such as outdoor waterproofing; anticorrosion coatings on metal; and protecting concrete for bridges, roofs, and balconies. These protective coatings are suitable for wind turbine rotor blades, because they can protect against a variety of stresses, such as UV radiation and erosion, and they can provide necessary elasticity for flexible and vibrating blades. Trixene Aqua is a water-based blocked isocyanate dispersion for crosslinkers and adhesion promoters in aqueous coating systems. It can be used in textile processing to add water-repellent finishes to sports and fashion clothing, and can also be used as a crosslinker in automotive clear coats, to improve chipping resistance and appearance. The construction industry uses the water-based Witcobond polyurethane dispersions (PUD) as a topcoat binder for wood flooring and concrete coatings, because their properties can be adjusted to meet the required flexibility and impact resistance of the final application. The fourth material, Trixene blocked prepolymers, readily reacts with standard amine hardeners used in 2-K epoxy resin formulations, allowing permanent flexibility of epoxy-based protective coatings.
Lanxess
Alternative Cocoa Butter Improves Chocolate Shelflife
Blooming, a common problem in chocolate, is a whitening that can occur during storage at varying temperatures — something that is difficult for chocolate manufacturers to control once the product has left the factory. It also has a negative impact on the overall sensory quality of the chocolate. The shelflife of a standard dark chocolate is typically 10–12 months, but tests show this can fall to as low as one to three months when storage temperatures rise by just 2–3°C. COBAO Pure is a cocoa butter that slows the blooming process in chocolate. It can be used in milk and dark chocolate tablets, coated and filled products, and dark chocolate with nuts. It delays and mitigates heat-related blooming, which can extend the shelflife by 50%–400%, depending on the recipe, processing techniques, and storage conditions. Unlike milk fat (a common bloom-retarder), this cocoa butter will not change the sensory qualities of the product or cause excessive softening. This makes the product particularly well suited for dark chocolate applications. It is a fully deodorized, 100% cocoa butter that is compatible with other cocoa butters and needs to replace a portion of the existing cocoa butter in a recipe. It is also free from lactose and other allergens.
AAK
INSTRUMENTATION
Mobile App for Radar Level Transmitters Maintains Accurate Tank Measurement
The Radar Master app for the AMS Trex Device Communicator makes it easy for field technicians to safely and efficiently configure Rosemount radar level transmitters. Radar level devices are critical to help deliver accurate, reliable measurements of both liquid and solid materials and are typically mounted in high, hard-to-reach locations that sometimes do not have onsite power. Technicians no longer need to carry cumbersome laptops and power sources into the field to perform configuration. Dynamic graphics and an intuitive touchscreen interface in the app help ensure that users can quickly configure tank measurement devices with the correct settings. Tank geometry is drawn to match the physical parameters of the actual tank, allowing technicians to more easily tune measurement settings to prevent false echoes from static objects in the tank, such as ladder rungs, agitator blades, and baffles, which can delay the process of obtaining accurate measurements. One-handed operation, near-field communication (NFC)-enabled user security, and intrinsic safety ratings allow technicians to work safely and effectively in tight spaces and hazardous areas. The new built-in historian can track tank level and status alerts to identify issues and aids in troubleshooting. Every configuration change is automatically recorded and time-stamped, providing an automated audit trail. Changes are updated to the AMS Device Manager database whenever the app detects a WiFi signal or USB connection for database accuracy and measurement data integrity.
Emerson
Computer Operates in Harsh Environmental Conditions
The Rugged Computer is designed to operate under the toughest environmental and weather conditions. It resists water, dust, shock, and extreme temperatures, so that it may remain operational with minimal unexpected downtime, even at high-altitudes and in desert areas. It is constructed from industrial-grade parts with a wide temperature tolerance (from –40°C to 85°C), and contains solid capacitors for longevity and reliability. A protective coating and fanless design extends the lifetime of the industrial computers under humid, dusty, and corrosive conditions. The company can perform durability tests, simulating extreme temperatures, shocks, and humidity levels to detect product defects in the design stage. In addition, the company’s Adaptive Display Platform (ADP) introduces a modular design for touchscreen computers, which helps save costs when upgrading or replacing either a box or a panel module. The ADP also provides the flexibility of combining touchscreens or industrial computers of different computing platforms and panel sizes.
DFI
Human-Machine Interface Can Withstand Hazardous Conditions
The HG5G-V 15-in. human-machine interface (HMI) touchscreen features a resolution of 1024 × 768 pixels. It has a top-performing brightness of 650 cd/m2 for visibility even in high-glare locations. The HMI has Ingress Protection (IP) 66F, IP67F, Type 4X, 12, 13, Class I, Div. 2 hazardous location, and UL61010 approval ratings, which assures reliable operation in harsh environments. It operates under the BACnet/IP communication protocol, making it suitable for a wide range of building automation and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) applications. Support is included for over 100 other serial and networking industrial protocols. Up to four protocols can be used simultaneously, allowing the HMI to exchange data with many sources and systems. The File Transfer Protocol (FTP) allows users to configure the device as an FTP client or server for transferring programs and for copying or moving files between local memory, an external memory device, or a cloud-based data storage platform. The HMI’s web server for remote monitoring and control can be accessed using any device capable of hosting a web browser, including a smartphone, tablet, or laptop. This HMI improves the display of line charts, bar charts, and trend reports. Security features have also been updated and improved. The HMI is suitable for use in wastewater treatment, packaging, oil and gas, and food and beverage applications.
IDEC
Testing Device Ensures Motor Reliability
The ALL-TEST PRO 7 provides instant motor-health analysis to ensure motor reliability in the field and help maximize the productivity of maintenance teams. It can test all types of AC motors that operate at any voltage, including induction, synchronous, and generator motors. The device can evaluate the electrical health of all motor and generator components, including the windings, rotor, and associated connections and cables. The instrument runs tests at frequencies of 50 Hz, 100 Hz, 200 Hz, 400 Hz, and 800 Hz. The enclosure is made of polycarbonate, measures 5 in. × 9.6 in. × 2 in., weighs 1.55 lb, and has a UL94 V-0 flammability rating. Tests can be performed at temperatures from –10°C to 50°C (14°F to 122°F), and at 0%–80% relative humidity. The instrument can detect faults at their earliest stages, before the motor fails. On-screen menu prompts guide operators as the device performs the tests, which take less than 3 min and can be performed from over 1,000 ft away.
ALL-TEST Pro
ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH, AND SAFETY
Compressed-Air Monitor Handles Hazardous Gases
ProAir 2200 is a compressed-air line monitor that can continuously monitor up to four gases in real time using internally mounted sensors. It can be configured to monitor a variety of hazardous gases that may be present in compressed air, including carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, volatile organic carbons (VOCs), trace hydrocarbons, and many other gases associated with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) monitoring requirements for Grade D breathing air. It is used in a wide variety of industrial applications, from pharmaceutical to aerospace, and can be easily adapted to meet specific needs for compressed air monitoring. A low-flow alarm alerts operators via LEDs and a piezoelectric horn (95 dB at 2 ft). The monitor operates at 100–240 VAC and/or 12 VDC. The inlet pressure must be regulated to 55 psi and the airflow must be regulated at a rate of 0.5 L/min (1 scfh). The unit measures 9.3 in. × 11.9 in. × 6.1 in. and weighs 8 lb, and is housed in a thermoplastic enclosure with a clear, hinged front cover that meets NEMA 12 and NEMA 4X requirements. The monitor is able to withstand harsh environments and features UL 60601-1, IEC 60601-1, CSA 22.2, and No. 601.1 certifications.
ENMET
Recycled Plastic Bottles Become High-Quality Resins
The LN ELCRI iQ portfolio of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) compounded resins are derived from recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET). These resins reduce plastic waste by chemically upcycling consumer-discarded PET (primarily single-use water bottles) into higher-value PBT materials suitable for more-durable applications. The company overcomes some of the limitations of mechanical recycling by using a chemical process to depolymerize PET waste into its precursor chemicals, which are then purified and converted to new PBT resins. The portfolio of resins includes glass- and mineral-reinforced grades and nonhalogenated flame-retardant and UV-resistant formulations. Some of the grades can achieve compliance with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) food-contact regulations. These resins can serve as a drop-in replacement for virgin PBT, making products more sustainable. Applications for these new resins include durable components for electronics, automotive connectors, and housings for medical devices.
SABIC
OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE
Foot Switches Improve Operator Comfort and Safety
These wireless medical-grade foot switches are robust and secure, operating on 2.4 GHz using spread-spectrum frequency-hopping technology. The switches improve safety functions, permitting operation of several wireless systems within one transmission zone without the need to select specific channels. The ergonomically designed housings are extremely energy efficient and have a long battery life. The wireless design eliminates the risks of tripping hazards and cable damage associated with cable foot switches.
Steute
Pneumatic Classification System Separates Materials into Three Streams
This dual classification system automatically separates dry materials at two cut points, enabling processors to separate feed materials into three different product streams. A proprietary design — consisting of a centrifugal classifier (CC) and a gravitational-inertial classifier (GIC) — harnesses gravitational, inertial, aerodynamic, and centrifugal forces to automatically separate dry particles without using water and without any moving parts. The system is suitable for classifying cement, limestone, asphalt sand, filter sand, and other aggregates. During the initial pass, the feed material is directed as a falling curtain into the GIC, which seperates it at any cutpoint between 63 μm and 300 μm (50 to 230 mesh). Particles that meet the first specification are removed and the rest enter the CC, which separates material with a cutpoint between 15 μm and 100 μm (150 to 950 mesh). Materials that meet the second specification are removed and the rest are directed onto a conveyor or into a cyclone as appropriate for the process. This classification system is custom-designed and manufactured for each installation to meet target production goals and material specifications. The system can operate continuously while unattended.
Van Tongeren America, LLC
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