Emerging automation-system architectures will provide the foundation required for optimized operations across the enterprise For decades, when a person mentioned process control, most engineers’ minds went to proportional integral derivative (PID) loop control, interlocks, safety and advanced process control. Perhaps…
Viscosity is an important property for understanding the flow behavior of liquids, mixtures, emulsions, slurries and other materials in industrial processes. This one-page reference provides a refresher on conceptualizing viscosity. Intermolecular forces Viscosity is a measure of a material’s resistance…
As process technologies — and their associated risks to workers — evolve, personal protective equipment must continue to push the boundaries in both functionality and comfort Personal protective equipment (PPE) — helmets, fire-resistant clothing, gloves, goggles and so on —…
Photoionization detection (PID) is a recommended technology for detecting volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in many applications, such as environmental monitoring, industrial health and safety, air quality, facility/site monitoring and fugitive emissions. One of the unique features of this company’s MiniPIDs…
The recently developed 10,000-Gauss, rotating cleanflow magnet (photo) filters magnetic and paramagnetic particles out of poorly flowing, greasy powders in the food, pharma and chemical industries. The magnet rotor is composed of seven strong magnet bars, equipped with neodymium-iron-boron magnets,…
The new, electronic automatic pellet-mill control system, EAPR (photo), enables this company’s machines to operate optimally with low manpower requirements and long service lives. EAPR enables optimum automatic operation of all flat-die pellet mills. It consists of a local control…
Solvents are commonly used for performing photochemical reactions. Many of these solvents are toxic, and require additional downstream processing to purify the product and treat waste. Now, by combining light with mechanical energy in ball mills, researchers at Ruhr University…
Presented here is a description of the Open Process Automation Standard and a progress report on its implementation by industry Open Process Automation (OPA) is an end-user company-driven industry movement to transform the industrial control-system market from one that supplies…
Onsite recovery conserves one of the most precious resources — water. A well-engineered, closed-loop recycling system can pay dividends in avoided costs to treat and discharge wastewater In Southern California, few businesses dispute the need for water conservation. In a…
A newly developed hydrogen compressor has a linear motor design and is hermetically sealed to increase the efficiency of H2 compression while avoiding potential problems associated with H2, such as leaks and embrittlement. The linear motor-driven reciprocating compressor (LMRC), developed…