Technologies to Watch

Honeywell has introduced an application control and whitelisting solution to help combat viruses and malware from attacking its Experion Process Knowledge System (PKS) control system platform. Whitelisting is part of Honeywell’s evolving cyber security arsenal that protects from unwanted intrusions by permitting only applications and executable files that are considered safe and on an “approved list” to run, while blocking everything else. (Read more)

Sandvik Process Systems has developed the Rotoform 4G system for granulating a wide range of chemical melts including sulphur, waxes, resins and agrochemicals. The upgraded Rotoform system includes a redesigned re-feed bar to simplify operation and improve product quality, a lifting device to streamline servicing, and new bearing units to reduce maintenance requirements. Rotoform is a one-step melt-to-solid granulation process. Molten product is fed onto a continuously running steel belt in the form of droplets. These are solidified by means of cooling water sprayed against the underside of the belt.

UK Power Networks, the UK’s largest public utility, is to trial a pollution prevention system based on a polymer that is said to quickly turn oil, diesel and other hydrocarbon waste into a non-leaching solid. The waste can then be readily collected and re-used in tarmac and other road building or burned for energy. Developer CI Agent Solutions believes the system can eliniate the need for the massive and costly concrete bunds that are used by utilities, oil companies, port authorities, highway authorities and others to prevent pollution from sites.

Avery Weigh-Tronix says its new Quick Check ZQ375 is the first UK checkweigher in the food industry to use Black Nematic (IBN) display technology, which reduces eye strain and operator fatigue.The technology is designed for applications that require exceptional contrast ratio and/or a wide viewing angle.

The HART Communication Foundation has announced that two WirelessHART products have been named by industry users as the best among automation, control and instrumentation products introduced during 2011. The products, recognised for technological advancement, service to the industry and market impact, are the Rosemount 708 wireless acoustic transmitter from Emerson and the RAD-WHA-1/2NPT WirelessHART adapter from Phoenix Contact.

ARI-Armaturen’s new ZETRIX Triple offset valve is designed to be permanently leakproof and provide guaranteed isolation and control, even in harsh environments. The compact design combines the features of a metal-seated process valve with those of a butterfly design, and conforms to leakage rate A in accordance with DIN EN 12266-1. Suitable for liquids, gases and vapours in a wide range of industries, it also features a double-flanged connection and can be used with manual, pneumatic, electric or hydraulic actuator, and a ‘smart’ self-aligning sealing ring. It is rated for use at temperatures from -29°C to +427°C.

Emerson’s new Smart Wireless Gateway eliminates the need for the converter and provides users with a simple integration that will natively speak to their PLC through the EtherNet/IP connection. This is intended to make it easier for process industry manufacturers who require EtherNet/IP to set-up and run a wireless field network in their operation. Currently, PLC users requiring EtherNet/IP must purchase a converter from a third party provider to add wireless to their systems. Using a converter can increase the time it takes to establish and run the wireless network, while adding cost and hardware complexity.

Siemens claims to have developed the world’s most compact Coriolis ‘solution’. The Sitrans FC430 digital flow meter features new technology to provide precise multi-parameter measurement while saving-space within the plant. It is designed for measuring any liquid or gas in applications throughout the manufacturing process, such as fast filling, batch control, blending and dosing. It offers an accuracy of 0.1% and low pressure loss, as well as100 Hertz signal transfer for speedy data delivery.

Scientists at the University of York are leading a major EU-backed network that is exploring ways of using waste as an alternative carbon source. York’s Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence, which launched the Biowaste Industrial Symbiosis Network at a Technology Fair in Santa Clara, California, has won an EU grant to run the network. (Read more)

Version 10 of Invensys’ Triconex Tricon controller has been approved for use in safety-related nuclear power plant instrument and control applications by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission. This, said the vendor, is the first controller from a dedicated automation vendor to achieve such certification from the NRC and it remains the only triple-modular-redundant system to be qualified.

Wilden’s new HX400S high-pressure air-operated double-diaphragm (AODD) pump has been designed for applications that require the reliable transfer of viscous, solid-laden slurries at high discharge pressures. Rather than the convention of relying on costly external boosters or amplifiers, one of the pump’s liquid chambers is used as an amplification chamber. This allows the pump to generate a 2:1 ratio of discharge fluid pressure to air inlet pressure, resulting in the ability to achieve a discharge fluid pressure of up to 17.2 bar.

Emerson has added number of new features to its Rosemount 3051 pressure products, which now have a standard reference accuracy of ±0.04% of span down to a 10:1 turndown. This enables more accurate control, allowing the plant’s operations to run closer to set levels, and increase product quality and throughput. A predictive diagnostic tool allows users to identify electrical loop issues at the instrument or anywhere in the loop, before they cause a loss of measurement. Examples of these issues include water or corrosion in the terminal block or junction boxes, wiring problems or even a failing power supply.

At this year’s ACHEMA, KSB presented new multi-functional valve control units and positioners for pneumatic quarter-turn and linear actuators. The new Amtronic and Smartronic lines feature simple open/close control of a pneumatic valve with open/closed position signaling to control tasks which are independently completed from a higher-level control station. The all-in package consists of valve, actuator and intelligent control unit or positioner, supplied fully parameterised and tested. The positioner can be directly mounted to KSB quarter-turn actuators. This saves on costs, as no installation components or external pneumatic piping are required, and reduces potential failures as well as the risk of an undesired loss of compressed air.

A new type of flow meter could facilitate the measurement of multiple velocities in a pipeline. The team behind the technology at Huddersfield University believes the extra data provided would prove useful in process industries, particularly oil, for plant optimisation. Magnetic flow meters rely on the electromagnetic induction created by a conducting fluid, for example, water that contains ions. The resulting potential difference is proportional to the flow velocity perpendicular to the flux lines. (Read more)

Siemens claims to have developed “the world’s most accurate ultrasonic controller series for level measurement.” Its Sitrans LUT400 controllers continuously monitor and control level in liquids, solids or slurry applications and are said to increase operational efficiency. This, said Siemens, results in cost-effective operations as inventory monitoring will be accurate, eradicating the risk of running out of a product or expensive spill clean-ups due to over-filling. Energy cost savings can be realised via time measurement and energy saving algorithms, which can reduce pump operations during peak energy periods.

AFC Energy has commenced a joint project with Industrial Chemicals Ltd (ICL) to install an alkaline fuel cell at a chlor-alkali facility in the UK and generate electricity from by-product hydrogen. The project will see AFC take ICL’s hydrogen and sell the electricity generated under long-term contracts. (Read more)

Subitec has secured Euro4.5m to launch its technology on the global market The Stuttgart-based company has been working on the development of a flat-panel airlift photobioreactor (FPA reactor) since 2000. The FPA reactor enables algae biomass to be produced with a net gain in energy. (Read more)

Showa Denko KK (SDK) has started commercial-scale production of biodegradable polyester resin, which is based on bio-derived succinic acid. Film grades of the material, called Bionolle, are being produced at its Tatsuno Plant in Hyogo Prefecture. SDK said it aims to expand the biodegradable, bioplastics by the end of this year. It is also planning to secure the supply of 10,000-20,000 tonnes a year of bio-derived succinic acid. (Read more)

Canadian company Argex Mining Inc. claims to have made a breakthrough with its patented CTL process which is running at the iron recovery circuit at its pilot plant in Mississauga, Ontario. Continued process improvements on solvent extraction for the iron circuit have increased the iron concentration from 68 gpl to 120 gpl, significantly reducing the energy consumption and also improving the recovery of TiO2 by 3%, it reported. (Read more)

Optris has developed ‘the smallest online infrared camera in its class’. Measuring 56 x 46 x 90mm and weighing just 320 g, the PI400 offers thermal sensitivity of 80 mK and resolution up to 382 by 288 pixels at a measuring rate of 80 frames per second. Compared to the other IR cameras, this means that four times more pixels are available for the same target surface area, said Optris.

Michell Instruments’ new compact oxygen analyser, the XTP601, uses thermo-paramagnetic sensor technology to provide extremely stable percentage measurement of oxygen in process gases including hydrogen, nitrogen or air. It can be configured to measure 0-1%, up to 0-50%, 80-100% and 90-100% ranges to meet specific needs. Target applications include oxygen measurement at the inlet of compressors in the steel or gas industries to monitor safety, or monitoring inert blanketing gases in chemical and pharma plants.

Subsea 7 has introduced a software-based system from AI ControlPoint to help it react to emergencies as well as to monitor and track vessels that are working in high-risk environments. The software is designed to improve the effectiveness of people interaction and reduce response times during an incident. The system can remove the need to have incident responders physically located in one emergency response room: they can login from wherever they are in the world using various devices including their smartphones.

Not a technology, as such, but interesting to see that the Carbon Trust has formed a partnership with global insurer RSA, whereby its technical experts will provide RSA’s customers with advice on installing new energy-efficiency equipment. The partnership will see RSA’s ‘engineering inspection & consultancy’ business and its 450 engineers work with Carbon Trust ‘implementation services’ (CTIS) to promote the benefits of installing new energy efficient equipment. (Read more)

(More updates to follow)