Mobile Navigation

Processing & Handling

View Comments

Achema 2022 Show Preview

| By Mary Page Bailey

Achema (www.achema.de), the global forum for the chemical engineering and process industries presented by Dechema e.V. (www.dechema.de), is taking place August 22–26 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. This year’s event will feature over 2,000 exhibitors spread out over 12 exhibit halls and a comprehensive technical program. Focal topics for the event include: product and process safety; digitalized laboratories; and modular and connected production. This year, several co-located events will expand the breadth of topics at Achema, including: Climate-Neutral Chemical Industry 2050; Automation in Dialog; International Powder and Nanotechnology Forum (IPNF) 2022; and the Information Platform for Plant Engineers. This show preview covers a small selection of the products and services that will be showcased by Achema’s exhibitors.

Heat slurries without plugging or fouling

The Non-Obstructing Heater (NOH; photo) features a straight-tube design that allows for unrestricted flow, prevents pressure drop, and heats slurries without plugging or fouling. In addition, the NOH’s rugged design and construction materials enable it to handle viscous slurries, particulate-filled products, abrasive or corrosive substances and stringy products, along with inline water-heating abilities. Compared to other heating systems, the NOH utilizes a smaller footprint, with direct installation into the existing system piping and does not require special tools for maintenance. Ranging in size from 2 to 12 in. (DN50 to DN300), volumetric flow capabilities reach up to 6,900 gal/min (1,567.2 m3/h). Hall 6.1 Booth A94 — Hydro Thermal Europe Corp., Lyon, France

www.hydro-thermal.com

Processing machines for soft-gel encapsulation and drying

Demand for vegetable-based soft-gel products is rapidly increasing, and in response, this company has developed special machinery for vegetable soft-gel processing. The PNF Softgel SE-100 Series soft-gel encapsulation machine (photo) is designed with advanced functions, such as a servo-control filling system, gelatin level sensor and easy cleaning and maintenance. Additionally, the PnF Softgel Model CTD-10 drying conveyor is a new system that makes it possible to produce high-quality vegetable soft gels by removing more than 5% of the humidity from the soft-gel media before transferring to the dry tumbler. Hall 3.1 Booth G69 — Countec Ltd., Gyeonggi-Do, South Korea

www.countec.com

Skid-mounted plants for continuous processes

This company offers skid-mounted systems (photo) comprising an assembly of interconnected module-based units. Depending on the process needs of the plant skid, a variety of pre-engineered modules can be selected and combined with application-specific modules to deliver high process performance from the final turnkey plant system. This approach reduces investment costs and enables fast project realization. A particular use case for these modular skids is a continuously operating modular API and intermediates synthesis plant that was recently put into operation to realize the benefits of process intensification. It consisted of two feed modules with two dosing lines each designed for a flowrate between 15 and 250 mL/min at 20 bars. The plant can operate with liquids, gases and suspensions as feedstreams, and it can be used with various continuous-reactor technologies while operating automatically. Hall 9.1 Booth E64 — Microinnova Engineering GmbH, Allerheiligen bei Wildon, Austria

www.microinnova.com

Full-service units for sterilizing laboratory wastewater

From the disposal of samples to the washdown of equipment, the sterilization of liquid waste is crucial in laboratories. The Effluent Decontamination System (EDS; photo) is a miniaturized wastewater-sterilizing plant for laboratory use. Using penetrative heat, the thermal EDS units neutralize all biologically active material, no matter the clarity of the wastewater. This technique of thermal sterilization provides a simple method of decontamination, requiring only the input of electricity. The Micro EDS model is capable of sterilizing 9 L of wastewater every 45 min, and can be connected into the effluent output of a wide range of appliances. Other models in the range include the Sink, which provides a fitted basin and automatic tap, and the Sink & Autoclave Combo, which allows instruments and solid waste to be sterilized simultaneously with the wastewater. Hall 4.1 Booth E37 — AstellBio, Kent, U.K.

www.astellbio.com

A dewatering centrifuge for challenging feed conditions

The new HX screen-scroll centrifuge (photo) is designed to enable flexible dewatering for a broad variety of feed material without compromising operations, even under difficult feeding conditions. This centrifuge is especially suitable for processing bulk chemicals and agrochemicals. The combination of unique features, such as a modular scroll and an express cartridge with high-performance technologies like this company’s Gentle Feeder feeding system, increases uptime and product quality at the same time. Varying feed conditions or interrupted feeding can be handled effectively, and process performance is not affected as long as certain minimum requirements are met. Hall 12.0 Booth C19 — Andritz Separation GmbH, Graz, Austria

www.andritz.com/separation

These activated-carbon filter sheets require no manual dosing

The new generation of Beco Carbon depth activated-carbon filter sheets (photo) offers particularly high adsorption for liquid filtration. Having the activated carbon bonded directly into the filter eliminates the need for manual dosing and separation of the otherwise typically loose activated carbon, and the challenges that go along with it. With their strong decolorization abilities and adsorptive removal of undesired byproducts, along with taste, odor and color correction, these filter sheets are well-suited for use in the fine chemical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food-and-beverage and biotechnology industries. Beco Carbon depth filter sheets are available in different versions: ACF 02 with an activated carbon content of 1,000 g/m² (macroporous); and ACF 07.10 with 420 g/m² activated carbon content (meso/macroporous). They are available as stacked disc cartridges and small disposable capsules in all common sizes. Hall 12.0 Booth D22 — Eaton Technologies GmbH, Langenlonsheim, Germany

www.eaton.com/filtration

Hermetically sealed bagging for a wide range of powder products

With the clean and weatherproof ADAMS range of bag-filling technologies (photo), powder products from a number of industry sectors, including building materials, minerals, chemicals, food, pharmaceuticals and cement, are filled into preformed bags made from a continuous tubular film. During filling, air is extracted from the bag with the aid of a vibrating lance and a compactor. Next, the packaging itself is hermetically sealed, resulting in completely sealed and very compact bags. Hall 3.0 Booth F38 — Haver & Boecker Maschinenfabrik, Oelde, Germany

www.haverboecker.com

 

 

This reactor is designed for fast and efficient polymer recycling

Specially developed for polymer recycling, the JUMP polyreactor (photo) is a compact, quick and efficient alternative to conventional solid-state systems. The reactor enables direct reintroduction of melt-phase polymers into production processes without the need to remelt the polymer. The reactor is installed directly behind this company’s processing units, where the polymer passes over several rotating, stirring and conveying elements, to create a polymer film whose surface is constantly renewed. The reactor vessel is kept under vacuum, through which volatile substances are reliably removed. By regulating the residence time in the reactor, as well as the vacuum, the fill level and the speed of agitation, the polycondensation reaction can be altered to achieve the required product properties, such as viscosity. Hall 12.0 Booth C2 — Gneuss Kunststofftechnik GmbH, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany

www.gneuss.com

A patented coupling technology for diaphragm seal systems

The patented REconnect fast-coupling device (photo) provides simple and safe decoupling and recoupling of diaphragm seal systems. A REconnect device is installed between the measuring device and the process connection to facilitate handling when measuring systems are mounted with a capillary, such as on vessels with large heights, when there is restricted space or in plants that are difficult to access. Operated by a special lock, it makes safe and leakage-free decoupling of diaphragm seal systems possible without affecting oil volumes and without loss of oil or intake of air. This means that the process no longer has to be opened to replace or calibrate measuring instruments, because the diaphragm seal remains connected to the process. Subsequently, the measuring device and diaphragm seal are just as easily recoupled and the plant can immediately be put back into operation. This special separation process makes it possible to repeat the procedure as many times as necessary. REconnect also offers a solution for mobile vessels making it unnecessary to dismantle all the measuring systems, while autoclaving vessels, for example. Hall 11.1 Booth F46 — Labom Mess- und Regeltechnik GmbH, Hude, Germany

www.labom.com

Large automated machines, in a virtual environment

At Achema, this company is showcasing an interactive virtual experience (photo) that will highlight its advanced automation capabilities, allowing visitors to explore 3D models of key applications and learn how bespoke, automated machines can improve throughput. Attendees will have access to photorealistic, 3D renderings of large pieces of equipment that would not be accessible on a physical stand. They will be also able to interact with the machines. Hall 11.0 Booth E42 — Optimal Industrial Automation Ltd., Bristol, U.K.

www.optimal-ltd.co.uk

Seamless engineering and monitoring packages

This company’s Module Type Packages (MTPs) can be integrated into overarching production systems. Such packages can be adjusted repeatedly to adapt to changing market requirements. At Achema, this company will present a joint use-case with X-Visual Technologies GmbH, Semodia GmbH, ABB AG and Wotten Consulting that will illustrate process engineering through module orchestration (photo). In cooperation with Seepex, another demonstration will show how a smart dosing pump can be automated easily with the MTP Designer system. MTPs can also interact with Namur Open Architecture (NOA) — a live demonstration at Achema will show how the sensor technology of an agitator tank sends monitoring and optimization data to the control center via the NOA-side channel. Hall 11.0 Booth G4 — Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG, Blomberg, Germany

www.phoenixcontact.com

Overpressure protection for low-pressure tanks

The Elevent breather valve (photo) protects vessels with low design pressures against overpressure and vacuum in a pressure range of 2 to 200 mbarg. This makes it appropriate for low-pressure vessels inside storage tanks, dryers and other vessels in the chemical, pharmaceutical and food industries. For example, Elevent is ideal for use in dryers in which free-flowing process media, such as cocoa, raw tablet materials or teas, are processed under vacuum. If the vacuum pressure inside the vessel begins to drop, the valve opens and thus ensures targeted pressure equalization, which is of immense importance both for the stability of the dryer, as well as the quality of the sensitive substances inside. Controlled maintenance of the pressure level is achieved via a very low leakage rate. This prevents both emissions of volatile gases or other environmentally harmful substances, as well as the formation of explosive mixtures or a potentially dangerous ingress of air. Hall 9.1 Booth C4 — Rembe GmbH Safety + Control, Brilon, Germany

www.rembe.de

Agitator seals optimized for side- and bottom-entry drives

With its recently upgraded design, HSMR34 is a double-acting liquid-lubricated mechanical seal (photo) that is approved for use in all explosive environments according to the ATEX Directive. The standard material used is silicon carbide (SiC) in a hard/hard pairing. Especially in machines with a side or bottom entry drive, the medium is pressed against the sealing gap, posing unique challenges for the seal design, and increasing the risk of buildup. To solve this problem, HSMR34 mechanical seals are equipped with a solid counter-ring that extends far into the product. In addition to excellent heat dissipation, this also has another advantage — the rotation of the counter-ring produces centrifugal forces that keep material from accumulating in the sealing gap. An O-ring integrated into the solid counter-ring separates the shaft from the product, ensuring that the shaft sleeve has no contact with the product and opening up new options for shaft sleeve materials. Special Outdoor Area 10 Booth A7 — EagleBurgmann Germany GmbH & Co. KG, Wolfratshausen, Germany

www.eagleburgmann.com

This data platform supports automated fluidized-bed systems

SmartX (photo) is a process digitalization and automation platform for fluidized-bed operations that is built for real-time intelligence and process control, supporting pharmaceutical process development from studies and design of experiments (DoE) to scaleup and manufacturing. This platform provides secure storage, advanced analytics, process insights and flexible automation tools that ensure efficiency, productivity, process robustness and patient safety in every dose. A deployed SmartX system enables process automation through low-code/no-code interfaces, placing the control evenly across all divisions, from research and development to production, whereby every employee and every process can be empowered with the manufacturing data that SmartX yields. Hall 11.1 Booth G10 — Innopharma Technology Ltd., Dublin, Ireland

www.innopharmatechnology.com

Large-scale drum blenders protect product integrity

The L25000 industrial mixer (photo) blends up to 25,000 L (15 tons) of dry product with six specially designed blades, allowing each particle to gently flow along its own path without heating up. This results in a fully homogenized, high-quality blend for a large range of products, including gelatin, super adsorbent powders (SAP), polymer compounds, vegetable seeds, metal injection-molding (MIM) compounds and more. The manufacturer announced the world’s largest drum blender — an L25000 model — was recently installed at a collagen production site in southern France (photo). Hall 12.0 Booth D83 — Lindor Products B.V., Dordrecht, the Netherlands

www.lindor.nl

This research project is piloting electrochemical CO2 recycling

This company, along with Johannes Kepler University (JKU) Linz, has initiated a research cooperation project aimed at reducing CO2 emissions through the development of novel catalysts and the construction of a pilot plant for testing and optimizing processes to recycle CO2 through electrochemical reduction into basic chemicals, such as CO, formic acid and acetic acid, and fuels, such as hydrogen, methane, methanol and ethanol (photo). The first plant with several cells connected in series should be ready for industrial use by the end of 2023. The pilot plant will, in turn, provide the basis for the design and dimensioning of large-scale industrial plants. A market launch will then be possible based on this scaleup concept. Hall 4.0 Booth H24 — GIG Karasek GmbH, A Member of Dr. Aichhorn Group, Gloggnitz, Austria

www.gigkarasek.com

 

Increase pump safety with secondary containment options

This company’s magnetic-drive pumps have a primary containment shell, which can be monitored using a patented shroud-temperature monitoring system that indicates undesirable operating conditions effectively and quickly. In many applications, this safety option is sufficient. However, certain applications require additional measures to prevent the pumped fluid from being released upon a failure of the primary containment shell. This company designed and qualified a secondary containment system (photo) consisting of a radial shaft-seal ring (RSSR), which uses a pressure or leakage detector for monitoring. It is able to withhold pressures up to 16 bars with a rotating shaft up to 3,600 rpm and for temperatures ranging from –80 up to 250°C. The secondary barrier option is available for both close-coupled or frame-mounted designs. It provides an additional safety feature and makes the magnetic-drive pumps suitable for safety-critical applications with additional requirements for a secondary containment. Hall 8.0 Booth F28 — CP Pumpen AG, Zofingen, Switzerland

www.cp-pumps.com

Improved ball valve with enhanced security features

The 543 Pro ball valve (photo) is used for mixing and distribution in water treatment, chemical and pharmaceutical processes. On a mechanical level, the three-way ball valve increases safety with a new lever that prevents unintentional operation thanks to a locking ring. For an extra layer of security, a padlock can also be fitted in order to protect the valve against unauthorized usage. These improvements enable safe and uninterrupted operation of piping systems. Another new feature for the 543 Pro is the addition of new stems with a predefined breakpoint between the actuator and ball valve. In the event of a blockage within the system, the breakpoint ensures that only the stem has to be replaced, rather than the entire ball valve. This reduces downtime and saves costs. Hall 8.0 Booth E64 — Georg Fischer Piping Systems Ltd., Schaffhausen, Switzerland

www.gfps.com

Metering pumps for high-pressure, low-viscosity fluids

As part of this company’s Pulseless Flow range of high-precision gear-metering pumps, the SPLV model (photo) has been designed to pump low-viscosity fluids, including acids, solvents, resins and water, even under high pressure while maintaining constant levels of speed and accuracy throughout the process. Pulseless Flow pumps are built around hardened steel involute gears that are machined to precise tolerances of one or two microns. This results in extremely small, controlled clearances between the gear and mating components, ensuring almost no internal slip even at high pressures. This level of precision means the pump is able to control and meter the flow with extreme accuracy and repeatability under differential pressures of up to 50 bars. The pumps are built with gears engineered entirely from martensitic stainless or cobalt-chromium steels for optimum strength and dimensional stability. According to the manufacturer, these are the only precision pumps in the market built specifically to address the characteristics of low-viscosity fluids in high-pressure applications. Hall 9.0 Booth B26 — Slack & Parr Ltd., Derby, U.K.

www.slackandparr.com

This company has continued to evolve its Rotoform granulation system (photo) through 11 different models, each designed to meet the requirements of a specific group of chemical melts. Chemical melt is delivered to the Rotoform unit and deposited onto a continuously running steel belt in drop form. Heat is transferred via the steel belt to cooling water sprayed against the underside of the belt, resulting in controlled solidification and the production of free flowing, uniform pastilles, an ideal form for subsequent storage, transportation, dosing and mixing. At the heart of the range is the Rotoform 4G, which is used for solidification of low- and high-viscosity melts. Other members of the 4G family have been developed for handling abrasive and sedimenting materials (such as catalysts and suspensions), melts requiring high feed temperatures (such as bitumen or resins) and the pastillation of subcooling melts (photochemicals). Easy cleaning and stainless-steel construction also hygienic operation. The Rotoform process is clean, dust-free and energy efficient, and its indirect cooling method eliminates any risk of cross-contamination between the product and cooling media, so there is no wastewater. Other recent updates include the availability of optional remote diagnostics, a system that allows users to grant temporary access to live data so that technicians can diagnose and resolve issues quickly. Hall 4.0 Booth D4 — IPCO Germany GmbH, Fellbach, Germany

www.ipco.com