Designed to provide water-hammer relief and tight, non-return shutoff for existing flanged piping systems, the Stop-Silent Check Valve AS 54 Model (photo) can be implemented directly into a flanged pipe system without structural or housing alterations. This valve features a cone design that assures tight shut-off to prevent backflow of liquid or gaseous media. The valve has no moving mechanical parts and consists only of two components: a perforated stainless-steel cone and a rubber membrane. This design eliminates water hammer and associated problems of noise and wear, resulting in quiet, noise-free operation. Performance ranges include operating temperatures from – 20 to 180°C and pressures of up to 232 psi. The valve can handle fluid flowrates of up to 10 ft/sec and gas flows of up to 50 ft/sec. — Great Western Supply Co., Houston, Tex.
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Raising the reaction temperature achievable with the FlowSyn Continuous Flow Reactor (photo) has considerably widened the scope of reactions that can be performed, according to the manufacturer. Reactions can now be carried out at temperatures up to 260ºC and pressures up to 1,000 psi. High-activation-energy chemistries that may previously have required a catalyst or the use of a microwave reactor are now potential candidates for continuous flow synthesis, with its attendant benefits — better reproducibility and scalability, and fewer problems with unstable intermediates or unexpected exotherms. Other improvements include easier pump priming and refinements to the automated reaction control so that the user can control the amount of pre- and post-plug dispersion phases that are collected with their steady-state reaction product. — Uniqsis, Ltd., Cambridge, U.K.
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An improved series of Operator Interfaces, the PowerView 8000 Series (photo) provides a greatly enhanced, easy to use, and intuitive development package, the ViewBuilder 8000. The Series provides four LCD sizes to fit different applications: 5.6-in. QVGA, 8.0-in. VGA, 10.4-in. VGA, and now 12.1-in.SVGA. All units have vibrant 65K color TFT (thin-film transistor) LCD displays with analog-resistive touchscreens. The PowerView 8000 Series addresses the growing demand for Ethernet and USB connectivity with three USB 2.0 ports, three configurable RS-232/485 ports, CompactFlash port, Audio, and 10/100 Ethernet port. The ViewBuilder 8000 software provides increased functionality, including: advanced object libraries, historical and realtime trending, alarm and recipe management, and more. — Nematron, Corp., Ann Arbor, Mich.
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This intrinsically safe (IS) calibrator is designed to be incapable of causing ignition in a surrounding environment, which may have flammable gases, mists, vapors or combustible dust present. The new ATEX and IECEx certified MC2-IS Multifunction Calibrator (photo) is designed for field calibration and testing in explosive environments. It has calibration capabilities for pressure, temperature and electrical signals, and it connects to almost 20 of the firm’s IS external pressure modules. The MC2-IS is a lightweight, portable calibrator with a large graphical display, multilingual interface and a complete numerical keyboard. — Beamex Oy Ab, Pietarsaari, Finland
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The Model FS-B2510 Dual-Serial port gateway (photo) includes two serial ports and one Ethernet port for integration from serial-to-serial or serial-to-Ethernet applications. This newest addition to the firm’s gateway product line meets the needs of integrators seeking to interface a serial (RS-232 or RS-485) device to a serial or Ethernet network. Utilizing the firm’s extensive protocol library and the proven configuration capabilities, the FS-B2510 is a cost-effective solution to integrating more devices into the automation or process control network. With more data available to the network, the result is greater savings of energy and other resources. — FieldServer Technologies, Milpitas, Calif.
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The Type 226A and 228A Baratron Differential Capacitance Manometers (photo) provide accurate and repeatable differential pressure and vacuum readings from 0.027 to 133 kPa at ambient temperature. The direct linear signals are accurate for very small pressure drops and flow rates, and the measurements are not sensitive to gas composition, thereby eliminating any need for gas-specific correction factors. The Inconel nickel alloy capacitance sensor is highly corrosion resistant, permitting use in difficult chemical environments. The Baratron manometer operates on either ±15 V d.c. or +24 V d.c. input voltage, and offers four different analog output signals in either uni-directional or bi-directional calibrations, making them suitable for use in a wide variety of processing systems. — MKS Instruments, Inc., Andover, Mass.
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The Class 125 Cast Bronze Y-strainers (photo) are used in commercial applications to trap foreign matter in steam, water, oil or gas pipelines. The bronze strainer line includes Class 125 solder ½ – 2-in. and threaded ¼ – 3-in. rated 125 SWP and 200 CWP. They are available with the options of threaded or solder-end connections, solid cap or tapped cap with plug, and stainless steel 20 mesh or perforated stainless-steel screen. Other important features include a dezincification-resistant cast bronze body and cap, as well as machined seats in body and cap to ensure proper screen alignment. — Nibco, Inc., Elkhart, Ind.
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These corrosion-resistant process pumps with explosion-proof a.c. motors (photo) offer safe solutions for gas and liquid handling in potentially hazardous locations. These pumps are compliant with Class 1, Division 1, Groups C & D and ATEX hazardous locations. They offer high performance and long service life during continuous, heavy-duty operation, according to the manufacturer. Explosion-proof process pumps are typically specified to evacuate, transfer, compress or recirculate air, gases or vapors in demanding applications. In a series of several units. these compact pumps in can achieve flowrates up to 220 L/min and vacuums up to 29.86 in. Hg, depending on the model. All are designed to minimize power requirements and reduce costs; perform oil-free to eliminate media contamination and lubrication-related maintenance; run without wear-prone sliding seals; and incorporate quality precision ball bearings for optimized reliability. — KNF Neuberger, Inc., Trenton, N.J.
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A broad-spectrum biocide that does not contain or release formaldehyde, Canguard Ultra BIT 20 DPG is useful for the protection of industrial water-based products against bacteria, yeasts and fungi. It offers a number of benefits, including improved color, lower viscosity at low temperatures, and a slightly higher active percentage than the legacy product, Canguard BIT 20 DPG. It is a high-purity glycolic solution of benzisothiazolinone (BIT) that can be used in a broad range of pH and temperature conditions and in very alkaline conditions, where other preservatives are often ineffective. Used for the preservation of polymer latexes and emulsion systems, water-based paints, coatings, adhesives and oil-in-water emulsions, Canguard Ultra BIT 20 DPG is compatible with most dispersants, and provides outstanding chemical stability and good compatibility with most formulations. — Dow Biocides, Buffalo Grove, Ill.
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Building on downhole electric submersible-pump technology, the SPS (Surface Pumping System; photo, p. 32D-4) is a low-maintenance, cost-effective alternative to plunger (triplex, quintiplex), split-case centrifugal, high-speed centrifugal and canned vertical turbine pumps in a variety of industrial surface-fluid-movement applications. The SPS systems feature a directly-coupled, multistage centrifugal design ideally suited for most high-pressure, low- to medium-volume, and environmentally sensitive applications. System design engineers frequently specify SPS units because of their low maintenance requirements, the reliability of their single low-pressure mechanical seal, their lower whole-life-cost, and the ability to easily repair or replace the units as needed, says the firm. — Wood Group ESP, Inc., Houston, Tex.
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This high-strength, two-component structural epoxy anchoring system meets the new, more stringent International Building Code (IBC) for strength design (Cracked Concrete). The PE1000+ pure epoxy (photo) features a 3:1 ratio holding power and is designed for use in anchoring threaded rod, bolts, reinforcing bars and smooth dowels into concrete and other solid base materials. The system also can be used to anchor into hollow masonry materials using threaded rod and screen tubes. PE1000+ is packaged in 13-oz cartridges and is dispensed with either a manual or pneumatically operated injection tool. The adhesive can be installed in both long- and short-term loading applications, and is listed as a Category 1 product for uncracked concrete dry holes. — Powers Fasteners, Brewster, N.Y.
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This firm has started a program for ordering custom-designed, a.c.-induction motors for a wide range of horsepower, voltage and speed ratings. Customization can include special shafts, special sealing or ventilation, special insulation requirements, and other factors, allowing an industrial user to replace a motor used in an existing machine or facility. The custom-motor program will enable users to exactly replace or even upgrade an existing motor within the physical limits of their machinery or process. In general, the motors are delivered to a customer 30 weeks. — WEG Electric Motors Corp., Altanta, Ga.
The wireless SC 920 Series vacuum pump brings fast and precise processing, quiet operation and easy regulation of laboratory vacuums with total remote control. The wireless touchscreen terminal provides full operation of the pump’s four different operating modes: chamber evacuation, with adjustable pump capacity; constant pressure control; automatic control of a sample’s vapor pressure; and intelligent regulation of process pressure according to a user-defined pressure curve. The pump’s diaphragm-stabilization system ensures high suction speeds, even at low pressure. The SC 920 is suitable for most models of rotary evaporators. — KNF Neuberger GmbH, Freiburg, Germany
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The long-term stability and reliability of the PX1000 Sputtered Thin-film Pressure Transducer is said to be excellent. The patented sensor delivers an accuracy of 0.25%, and the performance stability is ±0.1% for a minimum of 24 h. Standard pressure ranges are 15 to 10,000 psi for the absolute gauge model, and 100 psi and above for the sealed gauge models. — Omegadyne, Inc., Sunbury, Ohio
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This wireless-measurement kit enables product designers and end users to build an accurate and reliable weight-measurement system. The kit contains four of the firm’s patented CS Series capacitive sensors (50 or 100 lb capacity), one DS-2100 WiFi display and summing device with wireless connection capability, LoadVUE software, all of the data cables and a 9-V power adapter to connect and power the system. The kit is available at an introductory price of $999, which represents savings of 30% over the cost of individual components purchased separately. — Loadstar Sensors, Inc., Mountain View, Calif.
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Designed to make materials-testing machines easier and more efficient to operate, Touch PC combines a user-friendly touch screen with a powerful, integrated embedded industrial computer. The PC can be rotated, swiveled and tilted, raised or lowered, ensuring operator comfort and simplified handling. The FaststartXP program supplied with the package allows operators to choose one of two modes: Runtime, in which the operating system is in read-only, write-protected mode; and Designtime, in which the system can be used without restriction. Data from the testXpert II can be saved via a USB stick, network or extra partition. — Zwick GmbH & Co. KG, Ulm, Germany
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The HiPace line of compact, powerful turbopumps (photo) offers pumping speeds of 10 to 700 L/s. The pumps feature an improved rotor design that give both high pumping speeds and high gas throughputs, along with very good compression for light gases. The integrated HiPace drive electronics reduce the need for cumbersome and costly cabling. A variety of drive versions, including Profibus and DeviceNet, are available. — Pfeiffer Vacuum GmbH, Asslar, Germany
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The new, third-generation of the Kokeisl "automatic shovel" guarantees the regulated discharge of even sluggish and bridge-prone bilk materials from silos and containers, regardless of the outlet diameter. The device is easy to clean, and product changes can be made quickly. Sizes up to an outlet diameter of 200 mm are available. The device is suitable for filling, weighing and dosing installations, and has been used in applications in the food, pharmaceutical, chemical, rubber and refractory industries. — Dr. Walter Kokeisl, Aaru, Switzerland
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The CPH6400 measuring instrument combines the mobility and flexibility of a handheld device with the precision of a laboratory calibration device. The unit measures over a pressure range from – 1 to 4,000 bars with an accuracy of up to 0.025%. The individual sensors can be interchanged quickly, without tools, and are automatically recognized by the device. In addition to pressure measurement, the instrument also enables the recording of pressure curves, captures peak values or performs leak testing. Data can be recorded and transferred, via USB interface, to a PC using the firm’s PrintCal software. — WIKA Alexander Wiegand GmbH & Co. KG, Klingenberg, Germany
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The FDT/DTM-supported interface — xEPI Ethernet-Profibus coupler — enables vertical integration from the office to field devices on different communication levels, such as HART via Profibus PA. In this way, the user can monitor his or her Profibus networks and assign parameters to the field instrumentation from a central location. Therefore, xEPI is another contribution to asset management, and can be used both as an active Profibus master (Class 2) and a simpler listener on the bus, which doesn’t actively take part in the bus traffic. — Hans Turck GmbH & Co KG, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany
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The cost for sludge treatment — in terms of manpower, equipment and energy — accounts for about 50% of the overall cost of wastewater. Since most end users require that the sludge be transported to another destination, it is important to increase the dry substance (DS). The KemiCond process ( CE, August 2006, p. 13), exhibited at IFAT (Munich, Germany; May 5 – 9), improves dewatering by breaking down the water-retaining structures that are formed ion sludge. The solution is a fully automated continuous process, ensuring smooth operation and minimal workload requirements. The process also decreases operating costs by minimizing the sludge volume. Standard container- or skid-mounted units are available for capacities up to 12,000 ton/yr of DS. — Kemira KemiCond AB, Helsingborg, Sweden
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Version 5.0 of Tgrid advanced mesh-generation software introduces new tools and enhanced capabilities to generate high-quality meshes more efficiently. Tgrid technology is a specialized preprocessor for fluids analysis, and is used to create large, unstructured tetrahedral and hex-core meshes for complex geometries. With this latest release, a new tetrahedral meshing algorithm, combining the speed of Delaunay and the quality of an advancing front, has been added. In addition, enhanced prism layer operations now include fully automatic proximity handling to support highly complex geometries. — Ansys, Inc., Southpointe, Pa.
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AutoLog 14LP is the latest remote-terminal unit (RTU) for applications where low power is required. The 14LP can be monitored and controlled via Internet or radio, and allows users to collect data in applications such as measurement stations, Scada, level control and pipeline projects. The low-power RTUs are equipped with a solar panel, so there is no need for additional batteries. Equipment is housed in IP65 enclosures. — FF-Automation Oy, Vantaa, Finland
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UCON Advanta Hydrolube Concentrate is a new, patent-pending water glycol hydraulic-fluid technology that enables the production of formulations with "outstanding" shear stability when compared with conventional water glycol hydraulic fluids. The Concentrate is designed for hydraulic systems utilizing vane, gear and piston pumps in the metal processing, die-casting and mining industries. When used in formulations, the Concentrate provides improved fire resistance and has the ability to reduce pump wear. The material does not form sludge and will last longer than conventional fire-resistant hydraulic fluids, says the producer. It also helps prevent corrosion on steel, cast iron, copper and brass, and is compatible with zinc. — Dow Chemical Co., Midland, Mich.
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This firm’s Series 3730 and 3731 positioners now include all diagnostic features as standard; previously, these features were only available at a extra cost. The onboard Expert+ firmware automatically records relevant data to monitor the valve and positioner. Required key parameters, such as for checking the positioner attachment or for counting valve cycles, are used to deliver predictive maintenance on the actual state of the valve. Diagnostics include online hysteresis tests, which detect any changes in friction in the valve; derivations from the end position are also recorded. A data logger and histograms track the valve’s operating conditions and performance. Partial stroke testing can also be performed. — Samson AG, Frankfurt, Germany
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In response to the growing importance of accurate high-volume gas sampling to keep process control systems operating at peak efficiencies, this firm has introduced the Definer 1020, its latest and highest capacity application of its DryCal technology. The 1020 features a flow calibrator with a range from 5 to 500 L/min — up to ten times the volume of any other piston-prover device on the market, says the manufacturer. The system has a precision of 0.25% per reading, traceable to standards from the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and is accredited by NVLAP. — Bios International, Butler, N.J.
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The BM-2M connects directly to a gas cylinder and mixes two gases in any ratio with inlet pressures up to 300 bar achieving a maximum outlet pressure of 8 bar. Integrated relief valves protect the downstream system from overpressure. The system is certified for use with Ar, He, CO2 and N2, with a mixing accuracy of 1%. The mixer weighs 3.5 kg and fits between the cylinder’s heads. — WITT-Gasetechnik GmbH & Co. KG, Witten, Germany
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This firm now offers custom-made tellurium powders to meet customer specifications. The powders are made from commercially pure (99.7 – 99.999%) tellurium ingots using custom mills. The powder is available in 30 to 325 mesh, or per customer requirements. Tellurium is used in a range of applications, including as additives for steel and cast iron (for increasing mechanical strength and chemical durability), and coloring agents in glass and ceramics, catalysts, herbicides and insecticides. Tellurium is also used in electrical devices (such as printers and photocopiers), and tellurium compounds are used in thermo-generators (Bi2Te3 and Sb3Te3) and solar batteries (CdTe). — Accumet Materials, Co., Ossining, N.Y.
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The Bany PNIO network analyzer and the Simba PNIO module in the Simit simulation system provide operators of Profinet networks with a number of new tools for efficient monitoring and simulation. Bany PNIO (bus analysis Profinet I/O) enables reaction-free, realtime analysis of data traffic at rates up to 1 Gbit/s and a resolution of 10 ns. The Simba PNIO simulates up to 256 devices on the controller in real time. Mixed operation of real and simulated devices is also possible, which makes it easier to expand facilities and accelerates their commissioning. Both units are based on the same hardware platform, so Simba PNIO can be used in simulation hardware in the engineering and test phases of an installation, and can then continue to be used in the subsequent plant operation as a Bany PNIO network analyzer after payment of an additional license fee. — Siemens Industrial Solutions, Erlangen, Germany
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The Prevas Disposable Dosing System for filling liquid pharmaceuticals is said to reduce validation and production costs. The system features a completely disposable product path and incorporates a bulk product bag, a positive-displacement, rolling-diaphragm pump, filling needles and tubes into one assembly. The Prevas system is said to be the first completely preassembled, pre-sterilized, pre-validated, single-use system available for pharmaceutical and biotechnology markets. This eliminates preparatory steps associated with stainless-steel construction, such as cleaning, assembly and disassembly, autoclaving and clean- or sterilization-in-place operations. — Bosch Packaging Technology, Neuhausen am Rheinfall, Switzerland
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This firm’s 554 globe-valve range is now extended by a compact actuator with a piston diameter of 30 mm, a version that is particularly suitable for the control of gases and liquids in industrial plants and machinery. The new actuator has a total valve height to the pipe center of only 81 mm, and the installation length is 100 – 108 mm, depending on the connection. The DN 6 – 15 valve bodies in 1.4408 and 1.4435 stainless steel are interchangeable with the 550 range, and other materials will follow later this year. The maximum operating pressure is 10 bar, and the actuator is available in the normally closed position. — GEMÜ Gebr. Müller Apparatebau GmbH & Co. KG, Ingelfingen-Criesbach, Germany
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The latest release of EDEM, Version 2.0, is said to set a new benchmark in particle simulation modeling software. EDEM 2.0 is now the fastest and most-highly parallelized discrete-element-modeling (DEM) software on the market, claims the firm. Vestion 2.0 features: faster solver with new multi-core parallel that can computer on up to eight CPU; a new compact-file format, which provides a significant reduction in file size; a tenfold increase in visualization speed; and built-in video generation capabilities. EDEM provides companies with a tool to substantially reduce the number of physical prototypes and tests required to get a product to market, or a process onstream. — DEM Solutions, Edinburgh, Scotland