Top 10: Process sensors and measurement

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. has announced a new method for “simple and accurate” analysis of cadmium in chocolate. The company’s iCE 3500 atomic absorption spectrometer allows “simple” analysis of this trace element, while its SOLAAR software enables “easy” method development. A Graphite Furnace TeleVision (GFTV) capability of the iCE 3500 also aids method development as sample deposition and sample drying can be viewed in real-time inside the cuvette. The method is detailed in an application note entitled “The Analysis of Cadmium in Chocolate by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry,” which is available to download at www.thermoscientific.com/App-Note-43034. (Click ’back button’ to return to this page)

Honeywell has introduced Precision FotoSurf to its scanning camera measurement range for the paper and board making industry. The surface topography sensor can improve product quality while reducing waste and lowering production costs – especially where product surface characteristics are important as it reduces the need for manual monitoring by mill personnel. the camera and illumination technology automatically adjusts to varying machine speeds and sheet surface characteristics to capture high-quality sheet surface images. Supporting speeds up to 2,000 m/min., Precision FotoSurf uses a built-in image control unit to manage both camera and illumination parameters. In addition to providing numeric values for surface smoothness and roughness, the sensor displays images of the product surface to determine the root cause of the problem so that corrective action can be taken.

TUV NEL has developed a cyrogenic test rig as part of the NMS Engineering and Flow Programme following identification of an industry needs. The growth of the LNG and cryogenic fuel industries has led to new challenges associated with measurement at cryogenic temperatures.  Previous research has shown that the benefits of moving from volume measurement to inline flow measurement are being restricted by the lack of cryogenic flow facilities.  The new cryogenic facility funded by the NMO uses liquid nitrogen to test instruments under the challenging conditions experienced at such low temperatures.  The 2” nominal bore facility is made up of vacuum insulated pipework and is the first facility in Europe to incorporate two insulated viewing sections.  The rig will be capable of durability, repeatability and reproducibility tests on instruments at cryogenic conditions.

SICK UK will showcase its LMS 100 series of laser sensors and the latest addition to its RFID range, the RFH620, on stand D3612, at Drives and Controls 2010. The technology, it said, is set to make a significant impact on the laser sensor market, due to its ability to avoid false signals, broad usability and competitive price, the LMS is said to ensure accuracy for security, safety and presence detection, both indoors and outdoors. The compact laser sensors with a short to medium distance measurement range of up to 18 metres, and 270?ide detection fields with 0.5 degree object detection.  They eliminate the need for transmitter / sensor pairs and expensive associated wiring, are easy to mount and set up on site and can be precisely configured for up to ten defined fields.

A recently launched HS-620 Vibration Monitoring Kit from Hansford Sensors Ltd, now has an additional model in the range. The new HS-630 has all the facilities of the previous model but now also offers a fast and reliable way to measure spot temperature. The kit contains a compact, portable digital vibration meter operating with a hand-held probe, together with a non-contact temperature measuring sensor aided by a laser locator beam. It is designed for maintenance technicians to use to monitor vibration levels and spot temperature on important plant and machinery, helping to find potential problems and so avoid future plant failure. It is intended to help engineers in monitoring the trend of vibration and temperature on motors, pumps, gearboxes, fans and all rotating machinery.

HBM’s new SoMat cDAQ mobile CAN-based data acquisition modules provide a flexible distributed network of HBM signal conditioning in any environment and weather conditions. The modules operate within temperatures ranges of -40° to 125°C with an IP67 degree of protection; the cDAQ modules allow users to take measurements in the most difficult test objects directly. Applications include engine enclosures, gearboxes, pumps, power generation, and many other industrial applications. The modules are designed to reduce installation time, cabling, and test set-up while lowering overall product testing costs.

6. The new safe Sirius 3TK2810-1 speed monitor from the Siemens Industry Automation Division monitors the standstill and speed of machines and plants. This device, which belongs to the range of Sirius 3TK28 safety relays, can simultaneously monitor three parameter limit values for downtime, setup speed and automatic speed. It is set with menu guidance, for instance speed limits defined, via buttons arranged on the front of the device and an LCD display. Diagnostics and status information are displayed in plain text with several LEDs to facilitate the early detection of faults, for example. This reduces downtimes and increases plant availability.

SDTech, which specialises in the micronisation and analysis of powders, has opted to routinely use a dedicated Insitec Voyager system from Malvern Instruments for on-line particle size analysis. The technology has been used previously by SDTech to optimise conditions for contract grinding applications and to develop customised micronisation solutions. It can analyse dry streams that contain particles in the size range 0.1 to 1000 microns. The laser diffraction system is easily attached to any process line with appropriate tappings and measures up to four complete particle size distributions per second, thereby providing an ideal data stream for automated process control.

The latest CMD600 digital charge amplifier from HBM acquires signals from a connected sensor and makes them available to a downstream machine control either as an analog voltage signal or in digital form. In digital form the signal is transmitted using Ethernet as measured value streaming. Analog voltage signals (0 to ±10 V) have a measuring bandwidth of 30 kHz. The unit is said to be compact, robust and noise-immune, and can be easily integrated into existing systems making it very suitable for industrial applications. Any standard piezoelectric sensors can be operated with the charge amplifier while sensitivity and the measuring range can be easily adjusted using the software, without loss of accuracy, in a range of 1:10,000. Typical applications for the CMD600 are in production, joining and forming processes, in test benches for engines or gears, and in R&D.

Honeywell has recently added oxidation reduction potential (ORP) measurement - a parameter for minimising corrosion in power plant equipment such as turbines and piping - to its HPW7000 High-Purity Water Measurement System. This, it said, should enable plants to better maintain critical equipment, reduce capital expenses and lower chemical usage. The HPW7000 is widely used in applications such as boiler feedwater systems in municipal utilities and large industrial plants that produce electricity from on-site power plants. Its specially designed flow chamber and electrode mounting has been used for more than 10 years to simplify installation and calibration while providing highly accurate pH level readings.