Automation & Control
Dilute-phase Pneumatic Conveying: Instrumentation and Conveying Velocity
Dilute-phase pneumatic conveying systems must be operated in a certain sequence and have sufficient instrumentation and operating controls to assure reliable operation and prevent problems. This article discusses two subjects that are important for successful dilute-phase conveying. Discussed below are…
Implementing a Corrosion-Under-Insulation Program
Corrosion to the external surface of process piping and vessels that is hidden under the insulation is referred to as corrosion under insulation (CUI). Aging piping and equipment in chemical plants and petroleum refineries have made CUI detection and assessment…
Hazardous area LOIs with sunlight-viewable touch screens
As a first in the basic series of explosion-protected compact operator interfaces, this company is launching new panels for machine-oriented visualization featuring a sunlight-viewable touchscreen (photo). Even when installed outdoors and in bright daylight, the full-color 7-in. displays with widescreen…
Small-matrix, Model-less Multivariable Control
Beginning with the early days of automated multivariable control in the 1980s, the trend has always been toward the use of larger matrices and more models. Today’s multivariable controllers commonly comprise dozens of variables and hundreds of models. But the…
Asset Management’s Next Act
In a culmination of more than three years of work by teams from across the globe, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO; Geneva, Switzerland; www.iso.org) on January 10 published the ISO 55000 series of standards surrounding asset management systems (AMS).…
A bidirectional flow controller that also controls pressure
The new MCD-Series bidirectional controllers control mass and volumetric flowrate and absolute pressure of gases in two flow directions. The controller’s dual-valve design accommodates process-control requirements in many applications, including gas analysis, leak testing and environmental monitoring. The controller has…
Perform more simulations with this multiphysics software
Last month saw the release of COMSOL Multiphysics Version 4.4, with a number of upgraded tools for multiphysics simulations. Among the new features are: a new Desktop interface for Windows with a ribbon design that provides easier navigation; a completely…
This Coriolis meter is compact, but still accurate
The Sitrans FC410 (photo) is said to be the lightest, most compact Coriolis flowmeter available, and features a high measuring accuracy of 0.1%. The device has dimensions of 265-mm length, 280-mm height and 90-mm width, and a weight of 4.6…
Analyze headspace components with this sampler
The HS-20 Series of headspace samplers provide a reliable and robust headspace solution for any application analyzing volatile components in a difficult matrix. The HS-20 Series consists of two modules: a loop model for the traditional static headspace methods, and…
This module brings pH/ORP measurements to the digital age
The Sencom platform-product series now includes modules for the digital measurement of pH and ORP (oxidation-reduction potential), joining the existing FLXA21 two-wire pH/ORP transmitter. The platform consists of a Sencon module, the FU20F pH/ORP sensor, a Sencon cable and the…