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Automation & Control

Measure soil dampness with one hand

The new HSM50 Series of digital handheld moisture meters is easy to operate, and enclosed in a compact ABS-plastic housing for measuring moisture in soil or similar material. The microprocessor-based device displays data quickly and accurately on an LCD screen.…

A Web-based application for generating valve assemblies

The new RapidDraw3D Valve-model Generator is a free automated valve-assembly model generator that allows users to quickly generate realistic, to-scale three dimensional (3D) valve assemblies and export them to any CAD program for use in plant piping diagrams. RapidDraw3D is…

Quickly switch between fieldbus protocols with this module

A new family of network-interface modules, dubbed netJack, has been launched to quickly and easily add or change fieldbus and Industrial Ethernet protocols in automation devices. Thirteen different protocols are supported, including fieldbuses, such as DeviceNet and Profibus, and Industrial…

Measure temperature, even if there’s a loss of power

The new TGT73 is the third mechatronic product of the intelliTHERM family — a hybrid concept derived from pressure measurement technology. With the new thermometers, temperatures can be precisely controlled and adjusted; in the event of power loss, the analog…

A quick look will help operators pinpoint plant problems

Plant operators can now see at a glance how their plant is changing over time using the new CompareMap tool, which highlights the biggest changes in plant performance, and provides drill-down into corrective actions. The CompareMap approach compares the plant…

Condition Monitoring Methods for Pumps

Pumps are among the most commonly used machines in the chemical process industries (CPI). Condition monitoring tests and predictive maintenance can help pump operators determine when to overhaul pumps in a way that minimizes costs. Despite pumps’ ubiquity and large…

Thermodynamics for process simulation reviewed by ChemStation’s Hill

Reviewed by David Hill, Chemstations Inc., Houston   The authors of this text are leaders in chemical engineering thermodynamics. Based on their status, I recommended this book in a blog entry before even seeing a review copy — and I’m…

Detect gas leaks at the source with this handy device

The portable GSP3 and GSP3 Flex (photo) gas detectors are designed for fast and reliable detection of leaks of inflammable gases at gas pipes and connections, gas meters, gas burners and gas tanks. The GSP3 Flex is equipped with a…

Focus on Flowmeters

Endress+Hauser A flowmeter designed for biogas The Proline Prosonic B200 ultrasonic flowmeter (photo) measures flowrate and methane content of wet biogas, landfill or digester gas, and other types of low-pressure, wet or contaminated gas. The company has optimized transit-time ultrasonic…

A retractable assembly for sterile pH measurements

  The Cleanfit CPA875 pH retractable assembly provides reliable protection against bacterial contamination of processes, thus making it suitable for safe, automated pH measurement in sterile processes. The Cleanfit assembly is made of 1.4435/316L stainless steel with smooth, electropolished surfaces…