Top technology advances

Yokogawa has released CENTUM VP R4.02, an enhanced version of its flagship integrated production control system. This new version of CENTUM VP offers enhanced information visibility, a more intuitive operator interface, improved consolidated alarm management, a new FOUNDATION(TM) fieldbus engineering function, and linkage with the ProSafe-RS Safety Instrumented System (SIS). With these enhancements of functions that provide a foundation for VigilantPlant, Yokogawa's vision for the ideal plant, this new version will bring customers a higher level of stability, reliability, and productivity at their plants. The new version's functions include an easier to use HMI, strengthened consolidated alarm management, and linkage with the ProSafe-RS SIS for improved safety. For increased reliability, a new FOUNDATION fieldbus engineering function is provided that improves reliability and allows full use of the intelligent capabilities of field devices. It also features closer linkage with Yokogawa's latest safety instrumented system. It is now possible to operate and monitor this system and the CENTUM VP production control system through the same HMI, and to define operations such as monitoring and notification in the same engineering environment used to configure operations such as control and monitoring.

Emerson Process Management says it has released the industry’s first WirelessHART contacting conductivity transmitter, the Rosemount Analytical Model 6081-C. Wireless technology is very suitable for conductivity measurement, which is used, for example, to control the chemical concentration in scrubbers, detecting leakage of cooling water from heat exchangers. It is also valuable for equipment protection, such as in monitoring boiler feedwater and permeate, to ensure pure mineral-free water and so protect condensers, heaters, pumps, piping, boilers, and turbines that produce power.

California -based PAS has introduced a system called Integrity, that is designed to enable companies deal with the loss of experience and knowledge in the management of control and automation assets, as the aging workforces retires. One leading US refiner, notes the vendor, recently lost 2500 man-years of operator experience through retirement at a single site in one year, while a major chemical company expected to lose 75% of the operating staff at one of its largest plants through retirement by the end of the decade. The software, claims PAS, provides a solution through a comprehensive system lifecycle management capability that captures and generates accurate and reliable documentation, provides essential system configuration checks, and provides detailed change audit and reporting capabilities. A Disaster Recovery module, meanwhile provides a mechanism for automatic backup and archiving of system and database files, documenting restoration procedures and the creation of object-to-file associations in a central repository.

Norbar has introduced a torque measurement and data management tool that enables 'click', dial and electronic torque wrenches, stall tools, pulse tools, hydraulic torque wrenches and clutch tools to be calibrated by touchscreen. The T-Box device includes a specially developed 'Pulse Tool Mode' that uses a mathematical algorithm to accurately determine the output torque of impulse tools. The graphical display of joint profiles allows the detailed analysis of torque tool performance and joint characteristics and has the facility to connect to four 'SMART' transducers, according to Norbar. Most transducers with mV/V output can be programmed into the T-Box memory, allowing the instrument to be used beyond torque applications, for example, load and pressure, the Banbury-based company adds.

Invensys' new Foxboro brand PH12 Series includes, what the company claims are the process industry's first polyetheretherketone (PEEK) bodied sensors, making them the most durable 12 mm pH sensor available anywhere. The PH12 family of electrochemical sensors also features advanced diagnostics, fast response, long life and high accuracy and stability. "The 12 mm form factor is very popular, but users have not been able to take full advantage of many of the new developments that have improved the performance and longevity of pH sensors, especially the ruggedness and durability of PEEK materials together with flat membrane electrodes," said Joseph Downey, director, analytical product marketing for Invensys Operations Management.

The Thinky nano-level mixer from Intertronicsis designed to provide non-invasive planetary mixing with a variety of materials, especially the uniform dispersal of nano-sized particles in materials such as resin. The planetary principle does not enfold air so air bubbles are not created and without mixing blades or similar the mixer eliminates extreme stress peaks within the material that could damage fragile nano-particles. The ARV-310 and larger capacity ARV-5000 models both utilise special planetary mixing technology within a vacuum environment. Powerful 400g acceleration enables uniform mixing as well as simultaneous dispersion and deaerating for highly active nano-sized particles such as carbon nano-tubes or particles in epoxy or silicone, nano-ceramic in water, nano-fibres in polymer, nano-gold balls, yag phosphor in silicone, or for organic materials.

Atlas Copco has introduced a Carbon Zero range of air compressors equipped with advanced heat recovery systems that can recover 100% of the electrical energy input in the form of hot water. The compressors can, as a result, dramatically reduce energy costs for a wide range of industries. The unique compressors are the first in the world to be certified by the TÜV institute as having “net zero energy consumption”. The Carbon Zero innovation provides effective heat transfer, within specific design conditions, of relative humidity so that a considerable proportion of electrical power input can be recovered in the form of hot water at 90°C. This can benefit industries employing hot water or steam within process operations such as food & beverage, pulp and paper, chemicals and power plants.

Sixnet claims its new EL228 industrial managed Ethernet switch is the only product in its class that combines the reliability, redundancy and ruggedness required for demanding industrial environments, with true enterprise-class networking capabilities. By providing a broad range of high-end enterprise-class networking functionality, the EL228 delivers the capabilities required to enable a new generation of "smart" applications for industries such as power and energy, transportation, and oil and gas; delivered in a hardened form factor with proven reliability in extreme environments.

Thermal Energy International, the new owners of the GEM venturi steam trap company, has unveiled the TEI Flu-Ace, which is a flue gas energy recovery and pollution control system. The heat energy in the hot flue gases from a typical boiler, plus the latent heat within the water vapour in these hot gases, is recovered within the Flu-Ace unit, and the resulting hot water output stream can be used for process water heating. GEM also claims that the particulate removal in flue gases is 98% of particles over 1 micron. A recent Flu-Ace installation at a hospital site in Northern Ireland not only provided the benefits of energy recovery, but would avoid the cost of installing a tall flue gas discharge chimney to disperse these particulates from the boiler plant effluent.

Magnatech is offering passive permanent magnet systems to attach externally, directly onto a gas or oil fuel line, near the burner. The result is a higher fuel burn temperature, leading to faster boiler heating and less fuel used. Fuel savings of a minimum of 6% have been verified by the EU Tritech project: plus, for the real sceptics, Magnatech offer a full refund if you are not convinced after monitoring the results.