LOW PRESSURE PNEUMATIC PRESSURE/ VACUUM CALIBRATION TEST PUMPS
VARIABLE AREA FLOWMETER HANDLES BOTH LIQUIDS AND GASES
Ralston Instruments has introduced a suite of pneumatic pressure/vacuum calibration test pumps designed to generate low pressure up to 125 psi or draw a vacuum to -23 inHg for calibrating low pressure or vacuum instrumentation. Simple direct-acting pump action with fine adjustment piston gives users precise control, the company says, even at very low pressures. The pump bodies are made from anodized aluminum and are said to easily handle sand, sticks or other contaminants in the field. Three options available are the DP0V pneumatic pressure pump, DV0V pneumatic vacuum pump, and a DPPV pneumatic pressure/vacuum pump that can switch from pressure to vacuum with the twist of a knob. Ralston Instruments www.ralstoninst.com/cpn-lp
VALVE/ACTUATOR POSITIONER SUITABLE FOR NATURAL GAS APPLICATIONS
When natural gas is being used as the operating medium for a valve/actuator application, the VA200-GA electro-pneumatic positioner from VAC is FM, CSA, and CE approved for use on natural gas. This compact, rugged package delivers reliable performance in all types of environments. While accepting a 4/20 mA input signal, the transducers deliver a 3 to 15 psi output to the positioner and throttle supply pressure (up to 100 psi) accurately to the actuator. The positioner itself is a NEMA 4X enclosure and has a tapped ¼ in. exhaust port that allows for venting or capturing of the operating medium. The EX Natural Gas Ip also has a tapped exhaust port for venting as well. The modular positioner and converter can be ordered as an assembled unit or retrofitted/assembled in the field. VAC www.vacaccessories.com
CHEMICAL- AND CORROSION-RESISTANT GEAR PUMPS EMPLOY EXTERNAL GEARS
March series TEF-MAG gear pumps available from Vissers Sales are corrosion and chemical resistant, non-metallic, rotating positive displacement pumps, external gear type and magnetically coupled. The gear pumps are said to generate low volumetric flows with middle to high discharge pressures and approximately no pulsation. The pump housing of the TEF-MAG 25, for example, is made of PPS. The internal hydraulic parts like gears and shafts are also made of highly corrosion-resistant non-metallic materials. The power transmission of drive and pump happens in a contactless way with plastic bonded ferrite permanent magnets. Vissers Sales www.visserssales.com
The KDS meter from Kobold is suitable for flow measurement of liquid or gaseous products in pipes. It shows the current flow rate in volume or mass per unit in time. The fluid flows from bottom to top through the meter tube of the flowmeter. The float is lifted until an annular gap between the measuring cone and the float is produced which corresponds to the flow. The forces acting on the float are in equilibrium. The height of the float resulting from the flow rate is transmitted by the permanent magnet in the float through the magnetic tracking system in a rotation to the pointer axis of the analog indicator unit. The variable-area flowmeter consists of a stainless steel device with an integrated conical stainless steel measuring tube and a vertically movable float. The valve for setting the flow rate is built-in (only KDS-K/C) and explosion protection is to BVS 03 ATEX H/B 113.
Kobold Canada www.kobold.ca
Circuit protection including MCCBs, circuit breakers, and transfer switches (Circuit breakers starting at $15.00)
Wiring solutions including cut-to-length cable, hookup wire, wire duct, conduit, terminal blocks, and cable entry systems (Wire duct starting at $7.50)
Drives, soft starters, and motor control devices (Micro AC drives starting at $128.00)
Enclosure lighting and thermal management (Thermoelecric coolers starting at $718.00)
Industrial power supplies, transformers, and converters (DC power supplies starting at $20.00)
PLCs, field I/O systems, motion controllers, servo and stepper systems (PLCs starting at $85.00)
Industrial Ethernet switches, gateways, and VPN routers (Ethernet switches starting at $83.00)
Safety products including safety controllers, safety relay modules, intrinsically safe isolators, etc. (Safety relays starting at $103.00)
Modular and pre-fabricated enclosures (Modular enclosure kits starting at $875.00)
Don’t overspend elsewhere. With our everyday low prices you can build your panel for a lot less!
Plus motors, HMIs, pneumatics, a huge assortment of sensors and pilot devices, and so much more. All at great prices and with award-winning customer service and support.
Research, price, buy at: www.automationdirect.com
Our shipping policies make it easier than ever to order direct from the U.S.!
Fast free standard shipping* is available for most orders over $49 U.S., and that includes the brokerage fees (when using an AutomationDirect nominated broker). Using our choice of carrier, we can reach most Canadian destinations within 2 to 3 days.
*Free shipping does not apply to items requiring LTL transport, but those shipments can take advantage of our negotiated super-low at rates (based on weight) that include brokerage fees.
See Web site for details and restrictions at: www.automationdirect.com/canada To see all products and prices, visit www.automationdirect.com
MONITORING SYSTEM
AIMED AT FIELD INSTRUMENTS
Offering 24/7 monitoring, advance customization and instant alerts, the 4500-RMS remote monitoring system from Arjay Engineering is said to help improve operations by allowing for immediate response without being present near devices. The system is equipped with the WebAdvantage reporting system to allow constant monitoring of multiple controllers and data access from your devices. Advance customization and relay logic allow operators to make setting changes to address site conditions without having to access the field devices directly.
Arjay Engineering www.arjayeng.com
SCREW CONVEYOR REDESIGNED FOR SIMPLICITY, ECONOMY
The new SEW-Eurodrive Screw Conveyor Drive has been announced. The re-designed screw conveyor drive now boasts a 50% higher axial load capacity, labyrinth sealing technology, and design features for ease of maintenance, the company says. Using the SEW shaft removal tool, even the most stubborn shaft can be removed with little effort, it adds. Gear unit and seal maintenance is said to be streamlined, as the sealed CEMA flange takes the screw load while the gear unit is removed, minimizing the need for trough access and screw removal. All these features coupled with the proven and reliable SEW gearmotor, make the new SEW Screw Conveyor Drive an ideal solution
for bulk material handling applications. An optional mechanical seal for severe environments is available.
SEW-Eurodrive
www.sewcan.ca
PORTABLE TRANSIT TIME FLOW METER MEETS CHALLENGES
The Greyline Instruments PTFM 6.1 ultrasonic flow meter is a transit-time flow meter designed for challenging flow applications in industrial environments. Available from Alpha Controls, the
flow meter is said to be easily deployed due to its portability and intuitive interface and setup. The instrument is often used to measure the flow of clean fluids like water, chemicals, and oils from the outside of the pipe. The transducers can be mounted on metal or plastic pipes including
carbon steel, stainless steel, ductile iron, cast iron, PVC, PVDF, fiberglass, copper, brass, aluminum, and pipes with bonded liners such as epoxy, rubber, or Teflon. Configuration and startup can be accomplished quickly utilizing the built-in 5-button keypad to enter the transducer type, pipe material and OD, wall thickness, and fluid type, the company says. The unit will display the correct transducer separation distance.
Alpha Controls
www.alphacontrols.com
Innovate today for a new tomorrow
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Editor’s Forum
Focus on Environment is this issue’s topic, so just how are Canada’s energy policies progressing overall?
According to the Paris-based International Energy Agency, steps have been taken since 2015 when the IEA last performed an in-depth review.
The IEA report issued earlier this year, Canada 2022: Energy Policy Review, noted that Canada has made a series of international and domestic emissions policy com-
mitments projected out to 2050 with further steps along the way.
Energy production and use in Canada accounts for over 80% of the country’s GHG emissions, the report says, with fuel combustion in energy industries (including oil and gas extraction, electricity and heat generation, and refining) representing 26%, transportation 26%, buildings 13%, manufacturing industries 9%, and fugitive emissions 7% of overall emissions. Canada’s electricity system
is 83% non-emitting and among the cleanest in the world, it adds, with heavy dominance of hydropower as well as an important role for nuclear.
These IEA energy insights point both to where we are today (not bad in some respects) and where we need to go (even better). Explore the report at www.iea.org/ reports/canada-2022.
Mike Edwards medwards@cpecn.com
PROBE MEASURES
STORED GRANULAR, COURSE BULK SOLIDS
The VR-41 vibrating probe from BinMaster is a top mounted, high-level detector. Vibrating rods — also known as vibrating level switches — are said to be a reliable point level sensor technology used for high and low-level indication or plugged chute detection. Wire the probe to an alert such as a light, horn, alarm panel, or PLC to shut a process off or on, the company says. The VR-41 (13 in. to 13 ft) and VR-51 (19 in. to 19 ft) models both feature a sword-shaped vibrating probe said to resist buildup and false alarms. The probes don’t require any calibration and are wear and maintenance free. They can be used in light, fluffy powders and flakes with bulk densities as low as 1.25 lb/ft3. Optional hazardous location approvals to CSA Class II are available.
BinMaster www.binmaster.com
contamination risk. The cables are available in sizes ranging from 20 to 12 AWG and in shielded and unshielded versions. The Phthalate-free jacket is resistant to oils and fats that are common to food processing, and reduced cable diameters allow for easy routing and installation in conduit.
AutomationDirect: www.automationdirect.com
GROUNDWATER SAMPLING PUMP GOES TO 600 FEET
Q.E.D. Environmental Systems has introduced the Well Wizard
ST1000 that is said to provide the high sample accuracy and proven reliability of the company’s Well Wizard dedicated bladder pumps in a smaller diameter format. The sampling device is the heart of every low-flow groundwater monitoring system, the company says. The 20 mm OD ST1000 can sample wells as small as 1 in. diameter
CUT-TO-LENGTH FOOD AND BEVERAGE RATED CONTROL CABLE
AutomationDirect has added Lutze Silflex FBP control cables, specifically designed to meet all requirements for cabling used in food and beverage facilities. The patent-pending food-safe design of these cables has been evaluated by third-party tester Ecolab for resistance to commonly used cleaning agents and reduction of
at depths over 600 ft, which is far deeper than other small diameter bladder pumps, it adds. Further, you can sample wells at almost unlimited depth with its optional drop tube inlet kit. This pump also fits larger wells with partial obstruction. The pump has an operating pressure of up to 300 psi. It also supports flow rates up to 474 milliliters per minute (ml/ min). Further, the pump achieves low flow sampling accuracy that is EPA accepted.
Q.E.D. Environmental Systems
www.qedenv.com
TSM: Award winning responsible mining standard driving sustainable practices
ith the increasing overall awareness on the role mining must play in providing the materials required for the global energy transition, the importance of the mining sector in providing clean energy solutions is being recognized more now than ever before.
Canada can play a leadership role in providing the minerals and metals needed in low-carbon technologies like wind turbines, solar panels, nuclear energy and EV batteries, and our high environmental and labour standards are a competitive advantage when it comes to responsibly filling the growing need for mined materials.
Magnetic Inductive
Flowmeter MIK
get to net-zero. The Mining Association of Canada (MAC) is leading the way through the Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) program.
paddle & turbine flowmeters
With Canada producing some of the lowest carbon-intensity mineral and metal products in the world there is no doubt that we can and should play a much more significant role in providing the materials the world needs to
Features:
• Magneto-Inductive technology with no moving parts
TSM was originally created in 2004 to drive performance improvement across a range of social and environmental issues where it
mattered most — at the mine site level. The program has fostered a significant cultural shift across the sector, making it more inclusive and transparent. This focus on mine site performance makes TSM a go-to system for investors and manufacturers looking to invest in and purchase responsibly mined materials.
and academia. TSM goes beyond principles and requires mining companies to annually assess, publicly report and verify their performance at the facility level.
COMPACT THERMAL FLOW SENSOR
KAL-K & KAL-A
An substitute for Magnetic Inductive
• Use with a variety of conductive liquids, acids, and caustics
• Ryton® body with SS electrodes PVDF body with Hastelloy® C or Tantalum electrodes
• Electronics include frequency or current outputs, adjustable
FEATURES:
switches, and integral totalizers or batch controllers
• Magneto-Inductive technology with no moving parts
• Maximum Pressure: 1450 PSIG (with NPT Connection)
• Use with a variety of conductive
• Maximum Operating Temperature: 250° F
• Chillers and HVAC
• Input Power: 24 VDC ± 10%, 110 VAC Optional
• Water Filtration and Purification
liquids, acids, and caustics
• Output: NPN/PNP Transistor, N/O Relay Only w/110 VAC Version
• Process Cooling
An economical substitute for or call 412-788-2830
• Ryton® body with SS electrodes PVDF body with Hastelloy® C or Tantalum electrodes
• Electronics include frequency or current outputs, adjustable
switches, and integral totalizers or batch co
• Ranges:
TSM supports mining companies in managing key environmental and social risks. A national independent Community of Interest Advisory Panel oversees the program, with representatives from Indigenous communities, environmental organizations, labour representatives, finance, local mining communities, social and faith-based organizations,
Performance is evaluated across a set of detailed environmental and social performance standards, including tailings management, climate change, water stewardship, Indigenous and community relationships, safety and health, biodiversity conservation, crisis management and preventing child and forced labour.
As a constantly evolving program, TSM has recently raised its standards for performance on climate change, effective tailings management and good practice in respectful engagement and
The Ní Hadi Xa program employs five Indigenous individuals from local communities, including those with environmental management and traditional knowledge experience.
The Mining Association of Canada’s TSM program goes beyond environmental and social risk principles and requires mining companies to annually assess, publicly report and verify their performance at the facility level.
collaboration with Indigenous communities. For example, the TSM Climate Change Protocol, introduced in 2021, includes new corporate-level requirements to for climate change commitments and strategies as well as facility level requirements to manage climate-related risks. The revised Indigenous and Community Relationships Protocol, introduced in 2019, incorporates a new indicator specific to Indigenous engagement and dialogue, as well as requirements for companies to work collaboratively with communities of interest to address areas of concern and generate community benefits. TSM is also developing new requirements on equity, diversity, and inclusion. These recent developments will ensure that TSM remains the leading industry standard when it comes to environmental stewardship and community engagement.
Other jurisdictions are taking note of the program’s success, specifically the way it is enhancing public, business, and consumer confidence in the way companies mine. Beginning with Finland in 2015, TSM is now in the process of being implemented by mining chambers in Norway, Spain, Botswana, Brazil, Argentina, Australia, Colombia and the Philippines. Countries that adopt the program are openly committing to going beyond the word of the law when it comes to sustainable practices. The Mining Association of Canada www.mining.ca
TSM EXCELLENCE AWARDS
Each year, the TSM Excellence Awards highlight outstanding community engagement and environmental initiatives at facilities that are implementing TSM.
The 2022 Environmental Excellence Award winner was Copper Mountain’s electric trolley project, a key step towards net-zero emissions.
Copper Mountain is a partnership with SMS Equipment, Komatsu, ABB, Clean BC, and B.C. Hydro. Together, they have created a mine-site version of the over-
head cables that power urban buses and trams. Instead of public transit, the trolley-assist installation at the Copper Mountain Mine will deploy haul trucks connected to a 1 km overhead electric cable to transport ore uphill from the main pit of the mine to the primary crusher.
Moving heavy ore up a steep incline is a highly energy intensive process and when using diesel haul trucks, is the largest source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at Copper Mountain. Each of the 11 trolley-capable haul
trucks will displace approximately 400 litres of diesel and 1 tonne of carbon dioxide each hour. The Community Engagement Excellence Award winner was the Ní Hadi Xa initiative that supports community environmental collaboration at Gahcho Kué Mine.
The program employs five Indigenous individuals from local communities, including those with environmental management and traditional knowledge experience.
The Ní Hadi Xa initiative, meaning “People Watch the Land Together” in the Chipewyan Dëne
Sųłné language, was established in 2014 by Gahcho Kué Mine and six Indigenous communities. Together, they conduct environmental and traditional knowledge monitoring at the diamond mine located in the Northwest Territories. Gahcho Kué is a joint venture between De Beers Group and Mountain Province Diamonds.
Award finalists included Agnico Eagle’s Good Deeds Brigade enhancing community volunteerism in Nunavut and Cameco’s indigenous training and upskilling for the future in Northern Saskatchewan.
We understand how important it is to find the right expertise for your industry application needs.
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Micropilot FWR30 – The cloud connected radar level sensor
Keeping the ‘white gold rush’ green in battery production
By Albert Bedell, Solex Thermal Science
Considering the rapidly expanding demand for batteries, many companies across the supply chain are scrambling to ramp up production.
Increasing production can be challenging at the best of times. Yet when companies are forced to juggle new process technologies, uncertain regulatory frameworks
and pushback from environmental groups, the challenges can become unmanageable.
Companies involved in resource extraction cannot rest on the “green” image provided by their end products. Rather, they must take action to minimize the environmental impact of their operations while also de-risking the scale-up process.
In fact, demand for battery minerals (lithium, nickel, cobalt, etc.) is rapidly increasing as more governments, corporations and individuals act toward reducing carbon emissions. It is estimated that to achieve net zero carbon by 2050 will require a tenfold increase in global lithium production.
Prices for these materials are currently up multiple times year over year, providing a large incentive for producers to either increase capacity or bring new projects online. However, companies face many challenges in bringing new supply to the market.
One of the clearest examples of this problem exists in the lithium market. Production is currently dominated by hard rock producers in Australia wherein a mineral called spodumene is mined and beneficiated to produce lithium compounds. The largest reserves of lithium, however, are found in brines, the largest concentration of which can be found in the South America’s “lithium triangle.”
New entrants in both hard rock and brine production are facing increasing scrutiny, and, in some cases, outright cancellation of their projects due to environmental concerns. Companies cannot simply ride on the green coattails of the energy transition and must diligently work to ensure they are acting as environmental leaders.
Two of the primary concerns in lithium extraction are water use (in the case of brine sources) and en-
ergy use (in the case of hard rock).
For brine sources, existing projects typically rely on solar evaporation to concentrate the lithium bearing brines to a point where they can be efficiently processed. This is an energy-efficient process, but typically requires large volumes of water in regions that may be facing water scarcity.
For hard rock sources, a critical step in the beneficiation of the raw minerals involves heating the minerals in direct-fired kilns to high temperatures to change the crystal structure of the mineral. The energy for this process is typically derived from fossil sources. Little if any of the energy is recovered.
From a technical perspective, the least risky way to expand production in either case would be to simply repeat what has been done in the past. Yet this does
Moving bed heat exchangers that use vertical plate technology to indirectly heat, cool or dry bulk solids offer both brine and hard rock-based lithium producers opportunities to reduce water consumption, dust emissions and energy usage.
Albert Bedell, Regional Sales Director, Solex Thermal Science
nothing to address the clearly negative environmental aspects associated with existing production routes.
Companies need to bring new technology into play. Yet new technologies often require time and multiple iterations to scale up effectively — meaning producers might be late to market and potentially miss out on this lucrative period in the commodity market.
So, what can be done? One path forward would be to look for proven solutions from other industries that could be applied to the issues facing lithium producers to incrementally improve the existing processes.
Moving bed heat exchangers (MBHEs) that use vertical plate technology to indirectly heat, cool or dry bulk solids offer several benefits to both brine and hard rockbased lithium producers.
For brine producers who must cool their end products following crystallization and drying, these MBHEs can offer a solution with zero water consumption. A typi-
cal closed loop cooling system for approximately four tons/hour of lithium carbonate comprising an air-source chiller, pumping skid and plate-based MBHEs, with zero-water consumption, would require installed power of less than 70 kW (approximately 80 per cent of this derived from the air-source chiller).
For hard rock producers, these MBHEs can also be used to capture and reuse the energy required in the beneficiation process, which operates around 1,000°C, resulting in up to a 30 percent reduction in fossil fuel consumption.
In both cases, the highly valuable end products can be protected from attrition by the gentle handling found in vertical plate based MBHEs. It also means significantly lower emissions of contaminated process gas, as well as less product loss as dust.
Of course, there are also entirely new process technologies being brought to bear to help alleviate the environmental concerns asso-
ciated with conventional brine and hard rock lithium extraction. Direct lithium extraction from brine aquifers requires significantly less energy than hard rock production (no high-temperature phase change required). The process also involves drastically smaller physical footprints and water consumption than brine evaporation processes (water from the aquifer is returned after lithium is extracted).
Even so, many of the jurisdictions where these projects are possible (Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Germany) still rely on a fossil-fired energy grid. In these cases, reducing their energy requirements, and thereby their carbon footprint, will be critical to meeting the demanding requirements of present-day environmental standards.
Some projects are going so far as to pair carbon-neutral energy generation with their brine extraction process to fully decarbonize their end products, even though this significantly increases the scope and complexity of the overall project.
Here again, the benefits of utilizing plate based MBHEs can be found. With lower total energy requirements, this type of equipment can help producers to reduce their total plant energy requirement, and thereby reduce either the required size of their independent generation equipment or the carbon footprint of their grid-sourced energy consumption.
Mineral producers of all stripes will continue to face growing pressure to minimize their environmental impact. By adopting proven environmentally friendly solutions, such as plate-based MBHEs, from other industries, companies can reduce both their environmental footprint and the risks they face during scale-up of their operations.
Albert Bedell is a Regional Sales Director at Solex Thermal Science, a Calgary, Alta.-based leader in thermal and bulk materials engineering. You can reach Mr. Bedell at albert.bedell@solexthermal.com.
DIGITAL STATIC METER FOR MEASURING AND IDENTIFYING SOURCES OF STATIC
COOLING ENCLOSURE UNITS NOW CUL APPROVED FOR CANADA
The model 7905 digital static meter from Exair is said to provide an easy-to-use, handheld tool for measuring and identifying sources of static in processes. Static electricity can wreak havoc in manufacturing processes, the company says, affecting product quality, by causing jamming or tearing, as well as producing hazardous shocks to unwitting employees. The digital static meter indicates surface voltage and polarity on objects up to ±20 kV from one in. (25mm) away. After zeroing the meter, move it to within one inch of a problem surface(s) for a LED illuminated reading of the static voltage. It includes a National Institute of Standards and Technology certification for accuracy and will help discern the most troublesome static areas in any process.
Exair
https://exair.co/sm
FLOW COMPUTER WITH M.C. APPROVAL FOR GAS FLOW MEASUREMENT
Krohne has introduced the Summit 8800, a flow computer with M.C. approval for Category 2 and 3 sealing for natural gas. The unit combines custody transfer, fiscal and allocation metering within a single flow computer. The version with Category 2 sealing includes sealed configuration capability and metrological parameters. The Category 3 device is said to be the only partly locked panel mounted flow computer. It allows parameter adjustment, fast changes, and lower OPEX, the company says. These include changes on process parameters, CT parameters such as impulse factor, and changes on functionality. The flow computer is mechanically sealable with a hardware lock-out. Specifically, it is equipped with an approved Self-Contained (Type A) event logger for separate security levels within one device. It has also received approval for mass and volume-based meters.
Krohne
www.krohne.com
COMPACT PENLIGHT DELIVERS 400 LUMENS FOR INDUSTRIAL TASK LIGHTING
Princeton Tec has introduced a dual-fuel penlight, the Alloy-X. The light provides 400 lumens and a 28-hour runtime. The company’s dual-fuel technology allows the light to be powered via the included rechargeable lithium-ion battery, and to also function with two AAA alkaline batteries. The aluminum body features textured knurling to ensure a firm and secure grip on the pen light, even while wearing gloves. The light is also rated IPX7, withstanding water submersion up to one meter. Princeton Tec www.princetontec.com
Rittal has expanded its smart cooling units by adding the Blue e+ S range. The generation of cooling units with their lower output categories of 300, 500, and 1,000 W have been designed for efficiency, the company says, ensuring a smaller footprint and lower costs. The cooling units provide on average energy savings of 75 percent, it adds. The technology used combines a heat pipe with inverter-controlled components. The heat pipe works without a compressor, expansion valve, or other regulating elements and so does not need any electrical energy except to operate the fan.
Rittal Systems
www.rittal.ca
LED LIGHT OFFERS COMPACT, EXPLOSION-PROOF STAINLESS STEEL
LJ Star, a supplier of sight glasses, sight flow indicators and other process observation equipment, has introduced a vessel light option in its LumiStar line – the ESL 53LED EX. Made from stainless steel, the ATEX explosion-proof light is said to offers bright, energy efficient light for sight glass and process lighting.
The design measures 53 mm in diameter by 165 mm long makes the vessel light a suitable option for many industries, including pharmaceutical and nutraceutical, chemical and food and beverage installations. The light comes with a hinged bracket or a sanitary flanged adapter and is compatible with round sight glass fittings as well as screw-type sight glass fittings with multiple mounting options. The LED light provides 400 to 500 lumens with a light colour of 5700K, while drawing 7 W.
LJ Star
www.ljstar.com
MULTI-DIAPHRAGM METERING PUMP DELIVERS CONTINUOUS CHEMICAL FEED
The MD1 multi-diaphragm metering pump from Blue-White is said to deliver smooth, continuous chemical feed even when injecting chemicals that offgas like peracetic acid and sodium hypochlorite. The company’s Hyperdrive Technology is also said to allow for alternating pumping action between two diaphragms: when one diaphragm is in the suction phase, the other is in the discharge, resulting in a smooth chemical feed profile and eliminating the chance of vapour lock. The pump’s exclusive DiaFlex diaphragms will last the life of the pump, the company says, eliminating the need for expensive rebuild kits. Included with the pump are a discharge injection fitting with check valve, suction foot valve/strainer, suction ceramic weight, mounting hardware kit, and display shield.
Blue-White
www.blue-white.com
Motors & Drives supplement
AC DRIVES OFFERED IN DIFFERENT VOLTAGE, HORSEPOWER RATINGS
MOTOR USES SYNCHRONOUS TECHNOLOGY FOR ENERGY SAVINGS
Nidec Motor Corp. has introduced SynRA, a patent-pending synchronous motor. When paired with the ID300 Perfectspeed integrated drive, the new motor is said to offer one of the highest efficiencies available for industrial and commercial pumping and HVAC equipment — with ratings at IE 4 and IE 5.
The motor provides the operating benefit of a pure synchronous reluctance motor, the company says, and suitability benefit from a simple V/Hz drive. The unique design gives the freedom to replace components individually instead of the entire system, leading to a lower cost of maintenance, it adds. The product’s smart technology is said to result in less wear and tear on blower or pump systems by matching application demands with variable speed. The motor’s synchronous reluctance rotor with an aluminum cage design is magnet-free, allowing for easy programming and compatibility with existing variable frequency drives.
Nidec Motor Corp.
www.usmotors.com
INTEGRATED DRIVE SERIES MEETS DEMANDING APPLICATIONS
wastewater 1c ad 4/5/05 2:53 PM Page 1
AutomationDirect has added the DURApulse GS10 series as its newest and most affordable line of micro AC drives. The drives are available in a variety of voltage and horsepower ratings, including single-phase 120 Vac models in sizes from ¼ to 1 hp, single-phase 230 Vac models from ¼ to 3 hp, three-phase 230 Vac models from ¼ to 7.5 hp, and 460 Vac three-phase units from ½ to 10 hp. The drives are said to offer advanced features such as sensorless vector control, PID control, multiple motor support for induction motors, as well as the ability to control permanent magnet motors. Modbus RTU communication and built-in I/O, including analog, digital (with one 10kHz pulse train input), and relay, are standard. Optional accessories include NEMA 1 conduit boxes, DIN rail mounting kits, and braking resistors. AutomationDirect www.automationdirect.com/micro-vfd
Resistant Innovative Solutions for Tough Water/Wastewater Applications!
VALVES AND CONTROLS VALVES AND CONTROLS VALVES AND VALVES AND CONTROLS VALVES AND CONTROLS
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• 100% inspection and individual testing of each product, to ensure dependable performance and long-life.
• PVC, CPVC, Polypropylene, PTFE and PVDF. Valves from 1/8'' to 3'',Sight glasses to 8'' and Basket Strainers to 14''. CEDAR GROVE, NJ 07009 (973) 256-3000 • Fax: (973) 256-4745 info@plastomatic.com•www.plastomatic.com
Armor PowerFlex 35-series On-Machine drives from Rockwell Automation are a new generation of On-Machine motor controls suitable for both end-users and OEMs. Units provide integrated gigabit dual-port EtherNet/IP, a variety of motor control options, flexible mounting options and hardware and network safety features. It is integrated with the company’s Logix and Studio 5000 design software for exceptional performance and ease, the company says. The drives are said to provide an integrated, near-motor, pre-engineered solution designed for harsh environments where reducing installation time and cost are most critical.
Rockwell Automation
www.rockwellautomation.com
MATCHED MOTOR/DRIVE COMBINATION PACKAGES AIMED AT OEMS AND END-USERS
Siemens has released combination motor/drive packages that are said to allow an OEM or end-user the option to select the optimum solution for a variety of heavy-duty industrial motion control applications from a single source. Choosing from a pre-determined list of motor/drive combinations, the motor and drive are packaged on a single pallet, shipped, and invoiced together. The motor and drive combinations are power-matched for 480 V high-overload operation through a 20 hp range, with I2T protection from thermal damage provided as a standard in both the motor and the drive components. The Siemens Intelligent Operator Panel (IOP) is included with these packages, along with the Sinamics G120C drive to simplify installation and wiring, and Simotics SD100 TEFC NEMA Premium efficiency motors. Siemens
www.usa.siemens.com/drives
Industry News
CPCA ANNOUNCES NEW PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR IN WAKE OF WHISTLER AGM
The Canadian Process Control Association has introduced a new CPCA president and a board director in the wake of the annual general meeting in Whistler, BC.
Joseph Ferraro, president and CEO of Samson Controls, is the new association president while Peter Sikora, regional sales manager, Western Canada, Emerson Automation Solutions, has been added to the CPCA board of directors.
Ferraro has been a CPCA board member for the past three years. “It has been exciting to see new initiatives take place to grow the association and enhance the member experience,” says Ferraro. “I look forward to continuing to do so in the president role working closely with past-president, Paul Bastel and incoming vice-president, Sean Kozicki. I encourage everyone to get involved in the numerous committees within the CPCA.”
New director Sikora has been promoting mechanical and automation equipment in the process industry for over 30 years. “I look forward to participating and contributing to the long-term growth and development of the CPCA,” he says.
CPCA
https://cpca-assoc.com
PROCESS AUTOMATION SHOWS RETURN ACROSS CANADA THIS FALL
Canadian Process Equipment & Control News has announced the return of its regional Process & Automation Shows across Canada this fall.
At the process industry focused tabletop shows presented by CPECN magazine in cooperation with Annex Business Media Events, visitors can experience: face to face access to national and local experts in their field; the ability to try out products right at the show; save time and visit as many companies as you like in one day; and compare technologies and pricing from leading companies.
Register now at www.processautomationshows.ca to attend Process & Automation Shows in 2022 located in Saint John, NB, September 28, Mississauga, ON, October 4, Winnipeg, October 25, and in Regina, October 27. Process Automation Show www.processautomationshows.ca
TUSK AUTOMATION BECOMES A RITTAL CERTIFIED SYSTEMS INTEGRATOR
Rittal Systems Ltd. has announced that Tusk Automation Inc. has been named a Rittal Certified Systems Integrator of 2022. The honour is said to be a testimony to the advanced expertise of the Tusk team in excelling in the knowledge and specification of Rittal’s range of solutions and software.
Since being established in 2014, Tusk Automation of Kamloops, BC, has grown from its two founding partners to a team of nine professionals, including technicians, journeyman electricians, programmers, and project managers. The company’s expertise come from a wide range of indus-
tries, including mining, aluminum smelter, construction, water treatment plants, and food processing. Tusk Automation specializes in several areas where they excel by using EPLAN software and Rittal enclosure solutions such as: programming; instrumentation and field services; automation design; control panels; motor control panels; and special projects.
Rittal Systems is based in Mississauga, ON.
Tusk Automation
www.tuskautomation.com
Rittal Systems
www.rittal.ca
PIRAMAL PHARMA SOLUTIONS MAKES $30M INVESTMENT AT THIRD ONTARIO PLANT
Piramal Pharma Limited’s Pharma Solutions business, a (CDMO), has announced that a new active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) plant at the company’s site in Aurora, ON, has come online and successfully completed its initial production runs.
The new plant, built as part of a $30 million capital investment in the Aurora site, features more than ten thousand square feet of new manufacturing space and includes two new reactor suites with additional filtration and drying capabilities. It will support ongoing customer demand for Piramal Pharma Solutions’ expertise in APIs and enhances and expands the company’s ability to produce clinical to commercial scale APIs including highly potent APIs requiring an Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL) of 1 mcg/m³.
Since coming online, the company says, the plant has successfully implemented programs for clients that include process validation campaign, a registration campaign for clinical re-supply, and an engineering campaign. There is said to be a strong customer demand for the new plant’s capacity, with a pipeline of clinical and commercial scale projects planned.
Peter DeYoung, CEO of Mumbai, India-based Piramal Pharma Solutions said, “It’s exciting to see the capacity expansion at our Aurora facility in Canada begin to deliver for our clients. We’ve achieved our objectives of strengthening our presence in Canada, adding API development and commercial support for other geographies such as North America and Europe, and supporting market demand for integrated solutions.
“As a patient centric organization, this is another example of our commitment to serving the patient community and reducing the burden of disease.”
With successful inspections by the US FDA, the UK MHRA and the PMDA, Piramal Pharma Solutions’ Aurora facility is said to have a stellar track record of regulatory compliance and is committed to maintaining gold standards of environmental performance, health & safety. Piramal Pharma www.piramalpharmasolutions.com
CPCA director Peter Sikora (left) and incoming president Joseph Ferraro.
Enclosures specialist Rittal Systems welcomes BC-based systems integrator Tusk Automation.
Peter DeYoung, CEO, Piramal Pharma Solutions (inset). Part of the $30 million investment includes this Plant 3 reactor suite, with 4000L and 3000L glass-lined reactors.
Industry News
HYDROGEN PARTNERSHIP TO ADVANCE NEW PILOT FACILITY
Surrey, B.C.— A new pilot project in Port Moody to produce zero-carbon hydrogen from natural gas has been announced as a partnership between FortisBC Energy Inc., Suncor Energy, and Hazer Group Ltd.
Said to use an innovative methane pyrolysis technology for the first time in North America, the project, located at Suncor’s Burrard Terminal site, would produce hydrogen while storing the carbon by-product as solid synthetic graphite that can be sold on the open market for manufacturing or industrial use.
If the pilot continues as a full commercial build out, the project would be expected to produce up to 2,500 tonnes of hydrogen per year.
Hydrogen generated from natural gas with the carbon by-product being captured as solid carbon is referred to as “turquoise” hydrogen and has far lower and more easily managed lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions associated with it.
The project is being funded directly from the partner companies and by the provincial government’s CleanBC Industry Fund. The fund supports projects that can advance innovative solutions for industry greenhouse gas emissions, like renewable and low carbon gases.
NANO ONE AND BASF ENTER INTO A JOINT BATTERY DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT
Nano One Materials Corp., a Vancouver-based clean technology innovator in battery materials, and BASF SE (BASF), a globally active chemical company with extensive experience in the development and manufacture of battery materials, have signed a joint development agreement (JDA).
Under the JDA, the companies will co-develop a process with reduced by-products for commercial production of next-generation cathode active materials (CAM), based on BASF’s HED-family of advanced CAM and using Nano One’s patented One-Pot process and metal direct to CAM (M2CAM) technologies.
Ludwigshafen, Germany-based BASF has a family of CAM products
said to be well-suited to the evolving requirements of batteries in automotive drivetrains and a proven track record of developing these products in collaboration with others. Nano One and BASF will also use the M2CAM process for higher flexibility in terms of manufacturing approach and resulting product performance, reduced energy consumption and environmental footprint, the companies say.
Nano One Materials
https://nanoone.ca
SAINT-GOBAIN TO INVEST $91 MILLION IN MONTREAL GYPSUM PLANT
Saint-Gobain, through its building products subsidiary CertainTeed Canada Inc., has announced plans to invest $91 million, including $40 million in grant money from the government of Quebec, via its EcoPerformance program, to upgrade equipment at its Montreal wallboard manufacturing facility.
The upgrade should reduce its carbon emissions by up to 44,000 metric tonnes/year, creating the first zero-carbon drywall plant in North America.
The equipment upgrades will also reduce the site’s energy usage by 30 percent, creating one of the most energy-efficient wallboard plants in the world, and the plant will transition away from using fossil fuels to solely being powered by renewable electricity from Hydro-Québec.
Additionally, the upgrades will increase the Montreal plant’s production capacity by up to 40 percent.
Construction on the project is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2023 and the new equipment will come online in late 2024.
CertainTeed Canada
www.certainteed.ca
Suncor’s Burrard Products Terminal straddles the Burnaby-Port Coquitlam border in BC. (Photo: Suncor Energy Inc.)
The signing of the JDA represents a significant milestone in the business relationship between BASF and Nano One.
Gypsum board plant in Montreal suburb of Ville Sainte-Catherine.
Processing heating: Electric boilers are suddenly in vogue again
For Canadian, EU and U.S. industry, process heating and steam production are significant sources of energy use, and at many industrial sites boilers can account for up to 60 percent of energy costs. Process heating is usually from steam, which is used to increase the temperature in a process vessel.
Due to the threat of global warming as well as international commitments to the Paris Accord on Climate Change, industrial processors in Canada, the U.S. and Europe are tasked with significantly reducing their environmental footprint in record time.
In response, last year the 27-nation European Union (EU) agreed to cut greenhouse gas carbon emissions by 55 percent by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. According to a recent report that has tracked the EU’s power sector since 2015, renewables surpassed fossil fuels last year (38 to 37 percent), indicating that industry is already pivoting away from carbon emissions.
Even the U.S., which recently rejoined the Paris Agreement, has targets for American businesses to achieve a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035 and a net-zero economy by 2050.
While the interest of Canadian industry in electric boilers for process heating and steam production has waxed and waned in the last century, suddenly it is in vogue again. Whether to honor Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) goals, meet regulatory commitments, or take advantage of government credits and incentives, a growing number of industrial facilities are installing new or retrofit high-voltage electrode boilers that are compact, economical, and produce no emissions.
This is, in part, due to technological advances in electric boiler design that increase the output to a level that rivals even large gas or oil-fired boilers. When process heating is used to raise process vessel temperature, electric-powered alternatives are sure to be a critical piece of the puzzle in meeting future emission reduction goals.
In industrial processing, besides the notorious greenhouse gasses carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4), natural gas-fired boilers and furnaces emit dangerous nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), and nitrous oxide (N2O), as well as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and particulate matter (PM).
However, many industrial process engineers familiar with gas-fired boilers mistakenly believe that electric boilers cannot match the output of the traditional, fossil fuel burning units. Due to considerable advances in electric boiler technology, that is far from the case. Today, such technology can match the
capacity of large gas or oil-fired boilers in a much smaller footprint.
Electric boilers utilize the conductive and resistive properties of water to carry electric current and generate steam. An alternating current flows between an electrode of one phase to ground using the water as a conductor. Since chemicals in the water provide conductivity, the current flow generates heat directly in the water itself. The more current (amps) that flows, the more heat (BTUs) is generated, and the more steam produced. Crucially, almost 100 percent of the electrical energy is converted into heat with no stack or heat transfer losses.
As an example, the electrodes of the model CEJS high voltage electrode steam boiler by Acme, a Montreal-based manufacturer of industrial and commercial boilers, are vertically mounted around the inside of the pres-
sure vessel. This enables the unit to produce maximum amounts of steam in a minimum amount of floor space, with boiler capacity from 6 to 52 MW.
The boiler operates at existing distribution voltages, 4.16 to 25 KV with up to 99.9 percent efficiency, and can produce up to 170,000 pounds of steam per hour. With pressure ratings from 105 to 500 psig, the boilers are designed to ASME Section 1, and are certified, registered pressure vessels at the location of the boiler.
“There is an entire generation of industrial process engineers that grew up with oil and gas-fired boilers almost exclusively,” says Robert Presser, VP of Acme Engineering, which, along with North American facilities, builds in Europe to European standards and has a network of CE-compliant fabricators for the pressure vessel, as well as partners
The CEJS boiler converts 100 percent of the electrical energy input into heat. Rapid response achieves full load within 15 to 20 minutes from cold start and within one minute from hot start.
in France and the UK for local equipment assembly.
“As a result of preconceived notions, most view electric boilers as small underpowered units, like a hot water heater,” adds Presser. “So, we frequently have to educate engineers that there is electric boiler technology that can match the capacity of large gas or oil-fired boilers available.”
According to Presser, high-capacity electric boilers are well suited to heat process water.
The electric boilers have several advantages compared to oil or gas-fired boilers, including superior safety, ease of installation, faster start-up and shut down time, and quiet operation. Electric boilers do not have a high minimum operating level to make them immediately available.
“Electric boilers do not need an operator because if anything goes wrong, the breaker trips, preventing further escalation of the issue,” says Presser. “With gas burning boilers, however, any gas leak can increase the risk of an explosion. So, gas units must usually be continually monitored or periodically inspected.” He notes that state and municipal safety guidelines vary depending on boiler type and the expected frequency of inspection.
With electric boilers, the energy input as well as adjustment is also precise and virtually immediate. In contrast, increasing or decreasing the temperature in a gas fired boiler is a slower process because it takes time for the heat in the boiler to rise or dissipate before reaching the targeted output.
The electric units are also exceptionally quiet compared to fuel fired boilers. “Unlike gas-powered burners that throttle like turbine engines almost continually, electric boilers keep operational noise levels down,” says Presser. “Because the loudest boiler component is a circulating pump motor, it is easy to have a conversation next to one without having to raise your voice.”
As the EU and U.S. resolve to dramatically cut their greenhouse gases to combat climate change, the urgency for industry to similarly reduce their carbon emissions for process heat-
ing will only grow. In this battle to protect the environment before the global climate hits an irreversible tipping point, industry along with government must do their part. Fortunately, advanced, zero-emission electric boiler technology can be a readily implementable part of the solution.
This article was contributed by Acme Engineering. For more info, contact Robert Presser at rpresser@acmeprod.com.
Acme Engineering https://acmeprod.com
An Acme Boilers electrode box flow under high voltage. There are no combustion hazards because there are no flames, fumes, fuel lines or storage tanks.
NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROMETERS FEATURE MFDS
IDEC Corporation has expanded its HMI product family with the new HG2J Series 7 in. touchscreen HMI. Hardware and software advancements incorporated into this HMI make it easier to integrate and use for any type of industrial application, the company says. The HMI’s projected capacitive touch panel (PCAP) technology saves space, improves performance, is wear-resistant, and provides a long life, it adds. The display is said to provide an industry-leading 500 cd/m2 brightness level and 50,000-hour backlight life. With a TFT LCD display resolution of 800 x 480 pixels, the unit does not require the large bezels of standard IR displays, allowing the bezel to be slimmer and sleeker in appearance for a small installation footprint. The overall HMI depth is 30 mm, less than the 40 mm or more depth required by competing products, the company says. Operation with an input voltage of 12 to 24 Vdc makes the series suitable for a wide variety of industrial, solar, and vehicle applications. The HMI is rated for operation from -20° to 60°C, and it carries IP66/67, UL, and CE ratings, with a Class I Div 2 hazardous location rating.
IDEC Corporation
https://us.idec.com
Build it, See it, Price it, Order it.
Point and click or tap to specify valve type, end connections, actuator, and accessories. Model number, price, description, and photo all update instantly! Try
JEOL USA has introduced the ECZ Luminous series of NMR spectrometers, said to be the next step in spectrometer miniaturization and improving performance through state-of-the-art digital and high-frequency technologies. New ECZL series features MFDS (Multi Frequency Drive System) that allows spectroscopists to perform multiple pulse trains on different nuclei on a single RF channel in same experiment. The STS (Smart Transceiver System), inherited from the previous model, achieves a time resolution of 5 ns for frequency, phase, and amplitude modulation, enabling ultra-fast control. Units include the ECZL G series (400 MHz to 1.3 GHz), the flagship model and supports expansion to more than 3 channels, the ECZL R series (400 to 600 MHz), a fixed-configuration instrument, and the ECZL S series (400 MHz), that has the same architecture and performance as G and R models, with a configuration that is streamlined for routine solution NMR measurements.
JEOL USA www.jeol.com
From the Publisher’s Desk
It’s show time, folks! After more than two years without the Process & Automation Shows we’re back.
Starting with the Saint John, New Brunswick show on September 28, then Mississauga, Ontario on October 4th, Winnipeg on October 25th and Regina on October 27th.
Our exhibitors are excited to show you all the innovations that have happened while we were away, such as new technologies to help you run your operations more efficiently and safer.
Come by and say hello, we’re anxious to see you. It’s free to attend and you’ll head home with new ideas and some swag.
To register go to www.processautomationshows.ca.
Once again, a warm welcome to all the IPPT readers. We’re excited to bring you one voice for the Process/Resource industries and encourage you to send us your thoughts and suggestions.
Next up will be our October issue featuring a focus on Fluid Handling and our supplement on Data Acquisition curated by editor Mike Edwards. If you have something to contribute email him at editor@cpecn.com.
Enjoy the rest of the summer and see you at our shows this fall!
Cheers, Rob Sommerville
OPEN HOPPER PUMP FOR VISCOUS TO NON-FREE FLOWING PRODUCT
Netzsch Pumps North America has announced the NEMO BO open hopper progressing cavity pumps for viscous to non-free flowing product with and without solids for a wide range of Industrial applications in the beverage, food, cosmetic, biotech and chemical industries. The housing is designed with enlarged rectangular hopper, a force feed chamber and integrated feeding screw in the hopper. Continuous low-pulsation conveyance is unaffected by fluctuations in the pressure and viscosity. The progressing cavity pumps are said to provide continuous, pressure-stable, gentle and low-pulsation pumping of a wide variety of media. Since the shape of the cavities is always constant, the pumped product is not compressed. The pumps can therefore convey not only fluids but also solids. The units are also suitable as submersible pumps in wells and with open end connections for emptying barrels.
Netzsch Pumps North America
https://pumps-systems.netzsch.com
CONVEYOR PLATFORM FOR MATERIAL HANDLING
The Light Conveyor Platform (LCP) announced by Interroll is designed as a plug-and-play modular system so that scalable belt conveyor sections can be quickly implemented to meet requirements for material flow. Corresponding LCP-based belt conveyors can be easily assembled from factory-preassembled and predefined modules without any engineering effort, the company says, and can be put into operation quickly and safely via an autonomous machine control system, optionally without an additional programmable logic controller (PLC). Depending on customer requirements and application, however, connection to an external PLC with user-specific programming is also possible. The platform is designed to transport smaller conveyed goods, as well as boxes or polybags weighing up to 50 kg. Interroll
www.interroll.com
MASTER LOW PRESSURE
With Durable Low Pressure Generation Solutions
Generate low pressure up to 125 psi or draw a vacuum to -23 inHg for calibrating low pressure or vacuum instrumentation. We offer a complete suite of portable Pneumatic Pressure/Vacuum Calibration Test Pumps that give you ultra precise pressure control.
• Easy to Connect — All pumps include quick-test hoses and adapters, which are attached without thread sealant or a wrench.
• Easy to Use — Direct-acting pump action with fine-adjustment piston gives you precise pressure control, even at very low pressures.
• Easy to Service — Modular design makes field maintenance quick and easy.
CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR BULK PROCESS APPLICATIONS
Best Process Solutions (BPS) control systems are designed to utilize the most advanced networking technologies available from major control manufacturers such as Rockwell Automation, Siemens, and ABB. Utilizing these networking and control technologies is said to allow the control systems to be installed and implemented in shorter periods, thus reducing installation costs. The company has the capability to produce controls for full systems from start to finish and can design and fabricate control systems for a customer’s existing operation. BPS does the upfront engineering and sizing of control components based on the mechanical design and specification of the customer’s equipment and bulk processing control needs. BPS can handle the startup and commissioning of the system, including installation oversight of any mechanical equipment and electrical paneling.
Best Process Solutions
www.bpsvibes.com
rent than the previous generation. The new GNExS2H and STExS2H are said to generate an industry-leading maximum sound output level of 127dB(A) at 1 meter. All versions feature 64 alarm tones and four alarm stages/channels that can be remotely activated via common positive or negative switching. New cabling configurations permit both reverse and standard polarity line monitoring across multiple alarm stages. All versions are now tropicalized, enabling them to be installed in up to 99% humidity, and all mounting brackets are now A4 316 stainless steel as standard. The GNEx range is approved to IECEx, ATEX, Ex EAC and INMETRO for all Zone 1 applications and the STEx range is IECEx, ATEX, Ex EAC, INMETRO and DNV approved for Zone 1, 2, 21 and 22 applications.
E2S
www.e2s.com
SELF-CLEANING FILTER OPERATES WITHOUT BAGS OR ELEMENTS
MOBILE SANITARY IBC UNLOADINGCONVEYING SYSTEM
A new Mobile Sanitary IBC Unloading and Conveying System from Flexicon transfers contamination-sensitive bulk solid materials from intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) to downstream processes, dustfree. The discharger frame is mounted on casters for in-plant mobility, while a hinged subframe supporting a surge hopper, flexible screw conveyor and support mast can pivot down for maneuvering through doorways and low-headroom areas. The IBC frame is forklifted onto receiving cups, which position the IBC outlet onto the surge hopper inlet. Material flowing from the IBC into the charging adapter of a flexible screw conveyor is propelled at an incline and discharged into elevated process equipment and storage vessels. The conveyor handles a broad range of free- and non-free-flowing bulk solids ranging from pellets to sub-micron powders with no separation of blended products. The flexible screw is the only moving part contacting material and is driven by an electric motor positioned beyond the discharge point, preventing material contact with seals. Ready to plug in and run, the mobile unit can serve multiple functions throughout the plant.
Flexicon Corporation www.flexicon.com
NEW VERSIONS AND UPGRADED ELECTRONICS FOR HAZARDOUS AREA ALARM SOUNDERS
The GRP corrosion resistant GNEx and the stainless steel STEx alarm sounder families from E2S have been further extended with ultra-high output versions. In addition, all models in both families now feature upgraded electronics, which uses high efficiency Class D amplifier technology to deliver a higher sound output at lower cur-
The Spencer Strainer Systems GS144-F sanitary self-cleaning filter operates without filter elements or bags, thus allowing users to meet their plant sustainability goals. Suitable for continuous process flow food and nonfood products up to 400 gpm, the 316-L stainless steel food grade strainer works continuously. Wedgewire or perforated screens of various openings are available and interchangeable, allowing one strainer to be used for multiple applications. Product to be filtered enters the strainer through the inlet, with filtration occurring from the outside in. Screened particulate accumulates within the canister and is purged through the bottom drain as needed. Purged particles are piped away for disposal, recycling, or re-use.
Spencer Strainer
www.spencerstrainer.com
VERSATILE VENTED BALANCE ENCLOSURE FOR CRITICAL WEIGHING PROCEDURES
The VSE balance enclosure from Hemco comes in 24, 36, and 48 in. widths to accommodate many analytical balances involving hazardous powders and liquids. Efficient air flow design with air foils and bypass directs airborne particulate to baffled exhaust thereby providing superior air flow and containment performance for user protection, the company says. The ergonomic design provides added user comfort, it adds. Constructed of chemical resistant metal framing with ¼ in. thick clear tempered safety glass side panels and viewing sash. The viewing sash is angled 15° for ease of viewing comfort with 8 in. reach in opening height. The sash swings up to provide 20 in. of access opening. 2 service ports are in lower right and left rear wall. The Clean-Aire Filtration Module II accessory, Cat. No. 50120, is said to be a convenient solution to point of use exhaust and filtration. The module is said to effectively collect particulates and or fumes. It can locate on bench top, floor, or shelf and connects to enclosure with flex ducting.
Hemco
www.hemcocorp.com
ABB 23
www.abb.com
Assured Automation 18 www.assuredautomation.com
AutomationDirect 2 www.automationdirect.com
Bonomi North America 11 www.bonominorthamerica.com
Canadian Process Control Association 22 www.cpca-assoc.com
GAS DETECTION WEARABLE FOR WORKER SAFETY
Cameron Instruments 5 www.cameroninstruments.com
Endress+Hauser 7 www.ca.endress.com
Festo 3 www.festo.ca
KNF Neuberger 17 www.knfusa.com
Kobold 6 www.kobold.ca
Krohne 15 www.krohne.com
The ALTAIR io 4 portable gas detector available from MSA Safety supports worker safety and connectivity. The unit is a secure, smart device with out-of-the-box connectivity packed into a rugged design — featuring the XCell sensor platform. The portable gas detector was designed from the ground-up to work seamlessly with the MSA Grid and the ALTAIR io Dock, providing hassle-free compliance, the company says, effortless fleet management and visibility into worker safety. Approvals and standards include: FCC and Industry Canada; Class I, Division 1, Groups A, B, C and D T4 -20° to 55°C; and Class I, Zone 0, AEx da ia IIC Ga T4. MSA Safety
www.us.msasafety.com
IP67-RATED SENSORS AVAILABLE IN DIFFERENT PROPERTIES
The 36 sensor series from Leuze electronic detects objects with different optical properties — even with vibration, ambient lighting, or soiling. The sensors, which are certified to protection class IP67, have different operating principles: they are available as sensors with background suppression (with an operating range of up to 2.5 m), as retro-reflective photoelectric sensors (up to 17 m) or as through beam photoelectric sensors (up to 80 m). The sensor design is said to provide a high function reserve, ensuring that objects are reliably detected even if, for example, sources of interference are present. Users can also request retro-reflective photoelectric sensors for detecting objects with depolarizing properties, e.g. for film-wrapped pallets.
Leuze electronic www.leuze.com
HIGH-CAPACITY HOT PLATES AND STIRRERS FOR SAMPLES PREPARATION
Torrey Pines Scientific has announced EchoTherm digital hot plates and digital stirring hot plates. The models HP51 and HS51 feature a membrane keyboards and full function liquid crystal displays where all parameters are continuously visible. The units can store two of the user’s favourite settings in memory. They are suitable for use with large sam-
ples in chemical, pharmaceutical, environmental, biochemical, and other laboratories. Tops are available in a choice of chemically resistant ceramic or milled-flat cast aluminum. Both tops are 12 x 12 in. The ceramic top has a 1400 W heater. The aluminum top has a 1200 W heater and is recommended for working with solids directly on the heater plate surface. Temperatures can be set up to 450°C on both the ceramic and cast aluminum topped units. Accuracy is 1% over the entire temperature range.
Krones has introduced its Ozonomic ozonizer that expands its portfolio of water-packaging equipment. The ozone generator integrated in the ozonizer works on the principle of dielectric-barrier discharge: it breaks down oxygen and forms ozone molecules which are added to the drinking water before filling it. To convert oxygen into ozone, the ozone generator works exclusively on the basis of compressed air, so no separate oxygen supply is required. The downstream stainless steel injection system is operated at a pressure of two to three bar, which makes for efficient ozonization performance, even with high water temperatures or pH values. The typical amount of ozone added to still water is 0.4 mg per litre of product. After the water has been treated in various modules of the company’s existing Hydronomic series, it is passed through the Ozonomic, which is said to guarantee its microbiological stability.
Krones
www.krones.com
use and diagnostic functionality for monitoring solenoids and diagrams and to locate filter failure by row. The systems are turnkey control, monitoring, optimization, predictive-maintenance, and regulatory-compliance products for baghouses and dust collectors.
Firing Industries www.firing.com
TIP 2.0 RFID SOLUTIONS FOR DIAPHRAGMS
BAGHOUSE PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS SYSTEMS STREAMLINE PRODUCTION PROCESSES
Auburn FilterSense air monitoring and control solutions, and other industrial products, are available from Firing Industries Ltd. This includes a line of Baghouse Performance Analysis and Control systems, also known as B-PAC systems. Suitable for dust-collector optimization in the pharmaceutical industry, the units are designed to help streamline production processes while yielding high savings and efficiency. The B-PAC series
The new TIP 2.0 is an optimized design from GEMÜ for enabling communication with diaphragms as part of Industry 4.0 interconnectivity. Using RFID chips in conjunction with the company’s CONEXO maintenance management system, diaphragms can be positively identified, and relevant data can be read out. To enable communication with membranes, they are equipped with an RFID chip. Until now, RFID chips have been integrated into diaphragms by adhesive bonding. The integration method for the new TIP 2.0 has been adapted and optimized. The TIP 2.0 is a substrate with an RFID chip. The substrate made of high-quality plastic protects the chip from external influences and is firmly anchored in the diaphragm during the manufacturing process. The TIP 2.0 is colour-coded red so that it can be quickly and positively identified, and its data can be read out using a CONEXO pen.
The GEMÜ Group
Introducing the new, non-invasive temperature sensor – A simpler and safer way of measuring process temperature without the need to shut down, drill a hole or engineer and install a thermowell.
With an innovative double sensor architecture and an advanced model-based approach, it allows you to enhance your safety and reduce your installation costs without sacrificing the quality of your measurement. For more details, contact our experts at instrumentation@ca.abb.com. abb.com/temperature
Let’s write the future. Together.
TOC and Microbial Detection Monitoring
Real-Time Compliance in Pharmaceutical Waters
METTLER TOLEDO’s TOC sensors and microbial detection analyzer enable continuous assurance of water quality through unique, real-time measurement systems, providing complete confidence in regulatory compliance. Confidence is maintained by engineering systems to address all globally recognized requirements of regulated waters and providing continuous measurements to prevent undetected issues from shutting down production.
Proper and thorough monitoring of pharmaceutical water systems is imperative to deliver the highest quality products to patients. This eBook, published in American Pharmaceutical Review, offers a series of articles written to help you meet the demands of ever-stricter water testing regulations. Topics include:
• Real-time TOC measurement
• Simplifying TOC regulations for pharmaceutical waters
• Biofilm and endotoxins and their relationship, water system surveillance for better process control and risk reduction
• Bioburden analysis for process control
Download the free eBook today by visiting www.mt.com/ca-toc-microbial
