Electrical & Electronics
Optimising energy in electric boosting and melting systems L
ike all industries, pressure to decarbonise is imminent. And glass manufacturing is no exception, with the objective to attain carbon neutrality by 2050. Not only does decarbonisation benefit wider industry and society, but when done correctly, also provides efficiency and cost benefits. In this article, Mikael Le Guern, Global Glass Business Development Manager at Eurotherm, a company acquired by industrial technology company Watlow, explains how installing power boxes close to furnace electrodes can help glassmakers improve energy efficiency and reduce costs, compared to traditional power system designs.
As a result of pressure to decarbonise, we are seeing more requirements to significantly increase electrical boosting for facilities all over the world. Certainly, for large glass production companies, their total CO2 emissions are the aggregate emissions of all their plants and facilities globally. With furnace campaigns lasting between 10 and 18 years before the next rebuild or cold repair and with only a few upcoming greenfield projects, the opportunities for these companies to implement carbonreducing solutions are limited. Currently, whenever a repair is due, many glass companies are already considering their
options to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particularly by increasing electrical boosting. The other movement happening in the marketplace is that all types of glass producers are looking into these issues. Years ago, the size of the furnaces and type of glass made it possible to implement small to medium size electrical boosting, on average between two and five megawatts (MW). Now, not only has the required size of electrical boosting systems grown from a few megawatts (MW) to over ten MW and beyond, but this trend is happening across most types of glass production, including float glass furnaces. To learn more about Eurotherm and its solutions for glass manufacturing, please visit: www.eurotherm.com To learn more about Watlow’s thermal solutions, please head to: www.watlow.com
Facing the heat: Tackling diesel engine efficiency with heating technology N
ew environmental legislation has created an engineering challenge for heavy-duty diesel engines. Carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitric oxide (NOx) emissions must fall below stricter standards. At the same time, greater engine efficiency has resulted in a corresponding loss of exhaust gas temperature, leading to lower catalytic activity. This is particularly concerning when it comes to NOx emissions for cold start and low load cycles, as a lot of thermal inertia is produced in the after treatment system. Here, Jeff Diestelmeier, Vice President and General Manager Energy and Environmental Technologies Business Unit at industrial technology company Watlow, explores how heating technology can improve diesel engine efficiency. In the past, manufacturers of heavyduty vehicles have been able to meet emissions standards by making small, incremental improvements in the engines themselves. These newer, stricter
standards will require more of a ‘systems’ approach because of the engineering challenges involved. To achieve the newer, stricter standards, automobile and truck manufacturers will need to look at other elements of the system – specifically, adding heat to exhaust to increase catalytic activity. An advanced heating strategy has already been shown to be the most efficient means of meeting these NOx emissions standards. In fact, a small heater placed at the intake of the after treatment system enables its rapid and efficient heating, even during cold start and low load operating conditions. However, having a practical means to power and control this type of heater has been a barrier for implementation. To learn more about Watlow’s thermal solutions, please visit: www.watlow.com
Can your rangefinders go the distance?
L
aser rangefinders are gamechangers in a variety of industries. From construction to military, and law enforcement, the power of these rangefinders to provide accurate distance measurements with unprecedented precision is undeniable. At the heart of these electronic devices lies a crucial component: batteries. Here Robert Brown, Marketing Executive of battery manufacturer Ultralife, explores the benefits of using lithium batteries in rangefinders over traditional alkaline alternatives.
Laser rangefinders find applications in a wide range of industries, each benefiting from their unique capabilities. In the construction industry, they are used to accurately measure distances between structures, determine the alignment of buildings, and calculate volumes for earthwork projects. They can also provide measurements to the military (such as the distance to targets) and law enforcement agencies (for crime scene investigations and accident reconstructions). Using advanced optics and laser technology, rangefinders can measure distances with exceptional accuracy. However, when designing or manufacturing a rangefinder, it is important that careful consideration goes into battery selection, as this can affect the device’s performance and the accuracy of its
8
measurements. Modern rangefinders often use nonrechargeable lithium-based CR123A batteries, which offer several advantages over traditional alkaline non-rechargeables. For example, lithium manganese dioxide (LiMnO2) batteries maintain a consistent voltage throughout use (unlike alkaline alternatives). This is useful for rangefinders because any drop in battery voltage could impact the device’s laser output and result in diminished accuracy. LiMnO2 batteries have a nominal voltage of around 3V, which means that one cell can be used as opposed to two 1.5V alkaline cells, allowing the physical size of rangefinders to be reduced. Another advantage of LiMnO2 batteries is that they can operate at a low temperature of -20°C, making them more reliable outdoors when the weather is cold.
IPN is sponsored by
However, not all CR123A-size cells have the same characteristics. Ultralife has enhanced its CR123A (UB123A) – giving it a high pulse discharge of up to 3,000mA to improve the brightness of illumination equipment. A maximum continuous current of 2A gives up to 6W of constant power. Another CR123A, the XR123A, is made from Ultralife’s hybrid chemistry and has a typical capacity of 2,000mAh. This means its run-time is around 30% greater than other CR123A batteries on the market. XR123A also offers higher energy thanks to its design and low impedance. With high quality batteries, rangefinder users can enjoy extended usage, enhanced accuracy, and adaptability to different environments. +44 (0)1782 566688 sales@accutronics.co.uk https://www.accutronics.co.uk
– see them on page 17
