Now FM-approved, FireChek thermal shutoffs with resettable memory-shape alloy (photo) can be used to automatically shut down a pneumatic control system when a nearby fire occurs, or when the ambient temperature reaches 135, 150 or 165°F. The testing and resetting…
This company’s QuadraTherm 640i/780i thermal mass flowmeters (photo) now come equipped with new gas-mixing software, called qMix. The qMix software is a user-customizable gas-mix feature that allows engineers and operators to create custom gas mixtures to compensate for gas compositional…
The new RX-10 Reactor Control system (photo) connects and automates jacketed laboratory reactors and controls thermostats, stirrers and pumps with a single touchscreen interface that provides a consistent platform across all laboratory reactors. RX-10 controls jacketed laboratory reactors with third-party…
Micropollutants, such as antibiotics and flame retardants, can pose a health threat to animals and humans, even in tiny concentrations. Current methods to remove micropollutants from the environment include adsorption onto powdered activated carbon, which is then separated from the…
Researchers from the University of Colorado Boulder (Boulder, Colo.; www.colorado.edu) have developed a technology that combines wastewater treatment and carbon capture, resulting in a carbon-negative process that actually produces energy. The technology — called microbial electrolytic carbon capture (MECC) —…
Polylactic acid (PLA) is the biodegradable polymer of lactic acid, which is produced via fermentation processes. For the last five decades, PLA has been mainly used in biomedical applications. The development of economical production routes and a rising environmental awareness…
In cases where full containment of dangerous and hazardous chemicals is necessary, seal-less pumps can provide many safety and operational benefits To the average person, many of the raw materials that are commonly used in the chemical process industries (CPI)…
Electric alternating current (a.c.) motors power all types of equipment in the chemical process industries (CPI), including pumps, fans, blowers, compressors and other types of process equipment. Electric motor systems offer opportunities for reductions in power consumption because while some…
Mobile app and vibration sensors monitor machinery The SKF Enlight platform combines a new mobile app with a Bluetooth-enabled vibration sensor to enable staff to collect machinery data with no special training (photo). This allows standard mobile devices, such as…
Turndown and rangeability have a big impact on the flexibility and efficiency of chemical process operations During the design of a chemical process plant, the main focus is on which process units or unit operations must be integrated to convert…