Top 10 process technologies: January 2010

Thermoteknix Systems has launched a high resolution industrial thermal imaging camera for industrial predictive maintenance programmes. . The VisIR 640 is claimed to provide crystal clear images from a highly sensitive 640 x 480 uncooled infrared sensor, precise temperature measurement and a range of camera tools,database and software for planned and routine inspections. According to Thermoteknix, the camera’s thermal resolution gives sharp, high definition images, makes fault diagnosis fast and reliable. With four times the resolution of 320 x 240 infrared cameras and 16 times the resolution of 160 x 120 cameras, users can cover the same tasks in a fraction of the time.

Trelleborg Sealing Solutions claims its new Isolast J9876 perfluoroelastomer gives the most comprehensive media resistance at elevated temperatures of any perfluoroelastomer on the market. With a continuous operating temperature range from -7°C to + 275°C with occasional peaks up to +315°C, it was developed for applications in mixed chemical streams including acids, bases, amines, steam, ethylene and propylene oxides. The compound is available in all O-Ring sizes, as gaskets, molded parts or rubber-to-metal bonded components and is suitable for mechanical seals, chemical processing systems, pumps, valves, power generation equipment, refineries and semiconductor applications not directly exposed to plasma sources.

Yokogawa Europe has teamed up with Hitec Power Protection of Almelo, The Netherlands, to develop a range of high-current power measurement solutions
combining Yokogawa’s family of precision power analysers with Hitec’s Zero-flux range of DC current-transformer based sensors. When used in conjunction with an instrument such as Yokogawa’s WT3000 precision power analyser, the Hitec sensors allow currents of several hundreds or even thousands of amperes to be measured accurately. They also allow precision DC and AC measurements to be carried out simultaneously. “There is an increasing demand for accurate high-current power measurements from areas such as the high-power transformer industry and high-voltage DC power transmission”, comments Terry Marrinan, sales & marketing director for Europe & Africa with Yokogawa’s test & measurement business unit

Emerson Process Management has integrated machinery protection and prediction of critical mechanical equipment into its Ovation expert control system. This new capability is intended to support power generators’ drive for improved plant availability and performance by providing machinery health feedback to operators and simplifying the integration from days to minutes. It can connect to the Ovation control system in three steps that take less than ten minutes. Asset parameters such as vibration values and sensor health are scanned, selected and imported into the Ovation database from AMS Suite predictive maintenance software and the CSI 6500 Machinery Health Monitor. After import, Ovation turbine graphics, alarm screens and plant control strategies are automatically populated with this machinery health data.

R. STAHL has compiled a scaleable package comprising cameras and a recording system for camera surveillance in hazardous areas on gas and oil rigs. In addition to making operations safer, it enables users to carry out a thorough study of causes and fix any problems in the case of incidents, since the system supports both live monitoring at HMI stations as well as complete documentation of events. The standard package includes four cameras whose video signals can be recorded manipulation-proof for up to ten days. This network-compliant solution also permits authorised remote access to images via the internet. If users wish to integrate more image sources, the system can be easily expanded to include twice or four times as many cameras.

Wonderware UK has introduced the Wonderware Corporate Energy Management Application, which enables manufacturing and industrial automation customers to more easily implement an energy management programme, achieve sustainability goals and respond better to energy consumption challenges. The application allows users to monitor energy and detect and notify personnel of energy inefficiencies. It connects directly to meters on a network, through industrial controllers, and accepts manual entry via the company’s Wonderware InTouch HMI and Mobile Collaboration Solutions. The application is layered on top of the Wonderware System Platform, enabling integration with a wide range of applications, networks and I/O data sources. Application functionality includes recording consumption and demand at main and sub meters for a wide range of energy types, including power, water, chill, gas, air and steam.

Midland Tool and Design of Tipton has launched a new system that, it claims, will dramatically reduce lead times and tooling costs. The company’s Modulam system can halve conventional tooling costs, through using a dedicated die set and modular components which suit the tooling configuration. Once the die has been set in place, the savings are estimated to be up to 50%, compared to the traditional dedicated tooling approach. The lower costs ensure less time is spent in manufacturing, thereby cutting lead times, and the accuracy of the system eliminates the need to re-qualify parts at the production stage – all prototypes produced are to the customer’s final specification. It is particularly suitable for small and medium volume projects, and is particularly suited to prototyped stamped laminations, because it eliminates the need for photo or laser etching.

The Exhibition Committee of the SENSOR+TEST and the Executive Board of the AMA Association for Sensor Technology have jointly decided to make energy efficiency the focal topic of the SENSOR+TEST trade fair in May. This is meant to stress the special role that sensor and measuring technology plays in this future-oriented field. “Sensor and measuring technology contribute to energy efficiency in two ways: through products with a low energy consumption as well as by effectively preventing energy waste for numerous applications in practically all industries,” says J. Achenbach, chairman of the Exhibition Committee, regarding the decision.

Nurock Mixers has announced that its NUVM 1.5 compact volumetric machine will be available from March 2010 in the UK and worldwide through selected dealers. The NUVM 1.5 is claimed to ‘effortlessly’ mix 1m³ of concrete in under three minutes using a unique combination of hoppers and hydraulic system. It can also produce screed, mortar or process recycled aggregates with a constant production rate at any cement content. “Most competitive mixers of this size and capacity are just scaled-down derivations of larger machines,” said Graham Jones, MD of Merseyside-based Nurock. “This purpose-designed machine uniquely incorporates all the compartments for sand, stone and cement in one main hopper, rather than the customary two, and stores water underneath the hopper, helping to reduce its overall footprint by around 25%.

Schneider Electric is launching an energy-saving system architecture that unites its capabilities in power, datacentres, process and machines, building control, and physical security. The product, called EcoStruxure, is designed to enable intelligent energy management by customers seeking to optimise energy efficiencies across multiple domains of their business. The system uses of IP and web services to connect across the vendor’s offerings in the five areas via “an open, flexible technology”. This is said to improve energy visibility and real-time control of any energy usage. Energy waste in all forms - from electricity and water to mechanical and human - can be captured and mitigated, said Schneider.

December