Achema: New kit on the block

London – Achema 2012, which takes place in Frankfurt,18-22 June, somewhat justifiably, bills itself as the global showcase for technology advances in the chemical engineering, environmental protection and biotechnology sectors. As a flavour, here are just a few of the technologies being lined up by UK-based and overseas exhibitors attending the show:

German-based pumps and valves major KSB’s highlights will include its Triodis maintenance-free, triple-offset butterfly valves for handling fluids with temperatures ranging from minus 250°C to plus 200°C, and operating pressures of up to 100bar.

Tough valve applications are also a focus for SIPOS Aktorik, which will exhibit its HiMod extreme precision actuator, said to support the most challenging valve control requirements.

AUMA returns to Achema to showcase a new series of actuator and gearboxes. The company describes this range as its most significant advance in valve control technology for decades. Features include improved positioning accuracy, output speed range and longer life, plus the ability to integrate devices into asset management systems to monitor actuator-specific service conditions and limits.

Among the UK?exhibitors Watson-Marlow Pumps is unveiling a no-valve chemical metering pump - details to emerge at a 19 June launch event at the exhibition.

London-based process modelling software firm PSE has lined up 12 presentations at Achema, covering areas including CO2 capture, novel distillation technology, advanced reactions, energy efficiency, safety, solids processing and pharmaceutical manufacture. Co-presenters include SABIC, Repsol, Novozymes, Procter & Gamble and Maleta Cyclic Distillation.

Alongside its established sieving and filtering equipment, Russell Finex will feature new developments, including a ‘hygiene filter’ designed specifically for the food and pharmaceutical industries

UK technology company AM Technology, which specialises in CSTR (continuous stirred-tank reactor) technology for chemical synthesis is preparing a number of live demos for Achema.Details are being kept under wraps, but said AM Technology will include solids-handling and slurry-handling systems and a new tubular reactor design.

Also at the show, Fieldbus Foundation will conduct live demonstrations of fieldbus technology with three DCS systems and various field devices and physical-layer components.

According to Foundation Fieldbus, the high-tech set-up will be able to demonstrate any situation that could occur during the installation, commissioning and operation of a real process plant.