July 2017

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2017 Nicholas Chopey Scholarship
As a provider of practical information and news for the…

COVER STORY

FIGURE 1. These images from a helium-ion microscope show the pore structure of lignite-based activated carbon

Activated Carbon: Fundamentals and New Applications
Activated carbon sorbents are important tools in water purification and…

IN THE NEWSNEWSFRONTS

Figure 1. This 1,150-m.t./d nitric acid plant, which started up this year in Hungary, uses a dual-pressure process together with EnviNOx NOx/N2O abatement. The nitric acid is used for fertilizer production

thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions

Nitric Acid in the Spotlight
Efforts continue to make nitric-acid production more efficient with lower…

Figure 1. Packaging equipment providers are working on innovations based on robotics, innovative product transport systems, integrated solutions and incorporating servo technology combined with clever software solutions

Optima Consumer

Packaging Equipment:Product Quality Improves with Innovations
More sophisticated packaging equipment helps the CPI boost product quality…

CHEMENTATOR + Show More

A first commercial step towards on-site ammonia production
A new company — Tsubame BHB Co., Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan;…

Electrostatic spray drying protects heat-sensitive products
A spray-drying technology that applies an electrical charge to feedstock…

Finely tuned electrodes for water treatment
A new electrochemical water-treatment process developed in the laboratory of…

CNT membrane aids distillation of brine
Membrane distillation (MD) — a thermal desalination technique used for…

A continuous biotreatment process that degrades phenol in wastewater
Although there are several ways to reduce the phenol concentration…

Chementator Briefs
Recycling sachets Later this year, Unilever (London, U.K.; www.unilever.com) plans…

Low-cost water treatment uses CO2 to remove particles without membranes
Researchers at Princeton University (Princeton, N.J.; www.princeton.edu) have developed a…

Commercial debut for a process that captures CO2 directly from air
On May 31, Climeworks (Hinwill/Zurich, Switzerland; www.climeworks.com) inaugurated its —…

Responsive coatings lead to stronger 3-D-printed parts
Additive manufacturing (3-D printing) has quickly gained popularity, due in…

BUSINESS NEWS

July 2017 Business News
Plant Watch Ineos announces plans to build new PDH plant,…

TECHNICAL & PRACTICALFEATURE REPORT

FIGURE 2. Leaks can occur through the relief system if rupture discs become compromised

Rupture Discs: Effectively Minimize Leaks and Emissions
When installing rupture discs, there are several mechanical and operational…

FIGURE 3. There are many aspects to consider when installing a safety valve into a typical steam-system application

Proper Sizing and Installation for Steam System Safety Valves
Successful operation of safety valves in steam systems requires careful…

FACTS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

Figure 1. The linked silica and alumina tetrahedra of zeolites create cage-like cavities and channels that can be exploited to control chemical reactions

Facts at Your Fingertips: Zeolites
The physical properties of zeolites make them extremely important in…

TECHNOLOGY PROFILE

Figure 2. Several possible production pathways exist for urea

Technology Profile: Urea Production from Ammonia via a Self-Stripping Process
This column is based on “Prilled Urea from Ammonia via…

ENGINEERING PRACTICE

Figure 1. Shown here is the predicted population distribution for the calculating confidence level example

Setting Specifications in the Modern World
Utilizing ‘Tolerance Intervals’ can help to set more realistic specification…

YOU AND YOUR JOB

Figure 3. Virtual and augmented reality can be combined in immersive operations training

Training Today’s Workforce
Integrated console, virtual-reality simulation offers learning for maximum, measurable training…

EQUIPMENT & SERVICESFOCUS

Focus on software for chemical process applications
Upgraded meshing capabilities improves CFD modeling output Ensuring optimal…

NEW PRODUCTS + Show More

A new range of thermoplastic seals
VarioPur (photo) is a new product range that includes three…

This gas monitor has a dual-sensor design
The Ultima X5000 gas monitor (photo) is a replacement for…

Save time and lost revenue with this valve matrix solution
The Mixproof Valves valve matrix (photo) is designed to increase…

An efficient motorized actuator for globe and diaphragm valves
The new eSyDrive motorized actuator (photo) is designed on the…

Self-tuning transducer senses position, displacement or proximity
The new digiVIT digital variable impedance transducer for linear position,…

Precise measurement and control of gases
The new generation of high-precision mass flowmeters (MFM) and controllers…

New PPE garment protects against both chemicals and fire
Tychem 2000 SFR (photo) is a new protective garment designed…

Detect the presence of steam and water in boilers and drums
The Mobrey Hydratect 2462 detection system (photo) is used in…

This software suite integrates analytics and machine learning
Asset Performance Management (APM) is a complete software suite for…

An efficient variable-speed drive for compressors and pumps
The new Veco-Drive electric superimposing gear (photo) combines a mechanical…

Control several channels with this HART multiplexer
The new HART Multiplexer System (photo) offers the possibility to…

A new probe for measuring hydrogen peroxide vapor
The HPP272 probe for the measurement of vaporized hydrogen peroxide…

A highly adaptable reverse osmosis system
The PROflex reverse osmosis (RO) system (photo) features a new…

A single-pot system for the food industry
Mixing, granulating, coating, drying and heating and cooling can be…

Rotary vane pumps for critical applications
The DuoLine two-stage high-performance rotary vane pumps (photo) cover all…

Customized bag filling for cement, minerals and chemicals
The new fillpac bag placer (photo) enables efficient bag filling…

A reactive silencer keeps these compressors quiet
The sound waves from the discharge side of this company’s…

A fully scalable, single-use bioreactor system
This company’s next-generation Biostat STR (photo) is a fully scalable,…

These ultrafiltration membranes offer extreme hydrophilicity
The PolyCera Hydro (photo) is a new ultrafiltration membrane for…

Highlights Training Today’s Workforce Setting Specifications in the Modern World Rupture Discs: Effectively Minimize Leaks and Emissions Focus on software for chemical process applications Facts at Your Fingertips: Zeolites

Comment

A clever alternative to vibrating-fork level sensors

By Chemical Engineering | February 1, 2017

Baumer USA

The CleverLevel series of level sensors has been expanded with two new variants, the LBFH and LBFI (photo). They are available with two switching outputs, qTeach and a 360-deg output status indicator. Like their predecessors, the level switches are based on frequency deviation technology and are suitable for both hygienic and industrial applications with electrostatic, sticky or pasty media. The convenient qTeach procedure is of great advantage, especially for small installations with simple control systems, says the company. The sensors can be easily adjusted with any ferromagnetic tool, thus making it possible to quickly adapt to changing process requirements on site. The two switching outputs make it possible to set two trigger thresholds. This means two different process steps, such as production and cleaning, or two media groups, such as water and oil, can be monitored with one sensor. — Baumer USA, Southington, Conn.

www.baumer.com/cleverlevel

Breakthrough Technologies