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Process Safety Management

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Focus on Safety

| By Chemical Engineering

Protect bioreactors from a variety of contaminants

MilliporeSigma

MilliporeSigma

Viresolve Barrier capsule filters (photo) protect against bioreactor contamination by removing a range of viruses, mycoplasma and bacteria from cell-culture media. These barrier filters are designed to provide high-flux and high-capacity virus filtration and ensure desired productivity without impacting cell culture performance or protein quality attributes. For example, these capsule filters provide ≥ 3.0 log removal of parvovirus, ≥ 6.0 log removal of mycoplasma, and sterilizing-grade protection from bacteria, according to the manufacturer. They are scalable from bench-scale through commercial-scale operations. Used directly in front of the bioreactor, or in a media-storage container, they help to reduce process downtime, safeguard the downstream drug supply and ensure patient safety. This product is the latest in the company’s Viral Safety Assurance Program, which includes a variety of products and process solutions that prevent viruses from entering upstream processses, detect viruses in cells, raw materials and intermediates, and remove viruses in downstream processes. — MilliporeSigma, the Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Burlington, Mass.

www.milliporesigma.com

 

 

Lightweight, stylish safety eyewear protects workers

Honeywell

Honeywell

This company recently expanded its portfolio of safety eyewear with the addition of three new product lines: the Uvex SVP 200, 300 and 400 Series (photo). The Uvex 200 safety glasses feature a low-profile, frameless design, which weighs just 15 g and provides a 10-base wraparound lens for optimum coverage. The design is said to ensure a comfortable and secure fit, and the polycarbonate lens provides fog-free, scratch-free performance. The Uvex SVP 300 Series is dielectric and meets ANSI Z87.1 certification. The 400 Series provides additional features. — Honeywell Industrial Safety, Atlanta, Ga.

www.honeywell.com

 

 

Interlocking safety gate allows the use of mezzanine space

Rite-Hite Barrier Systems

Rite-Hite Barrier Systems

For many companies, the ability to make use of mezzanines to create additional storage area or work space within their facility provides both an untapped opportunity and a potential hazard. The GateKeeper Mezzanine Safety Gate (photo) is a reciprocating barrier. It provides a failsafe interlock system that creates a controlled-access area in which workers can safely load and unload items from a pallet on the floor. The gate is designed to be installed on the edge of a mezzanine, pick module or elevated platform. When the outer gate opens to allow pallets to enter the mezzanine level, the inner gate automatically closes, keeping workers out. When workers open the inner gate to retrieve the material, the outer gate is securely locked. The exclusive link-bar design ensures that both gates always work in unison, without relying on chains or cables. The system also includes a “toe board” design that prevents materials from accidentally being pushed off the mezzanine. Multiple sizes are available. — Rite-Hite Barrier Systems, Milwaukee, Wis.

www.ritehite.com

 

Blast-resistant safety shelters protect workers and assets

This company offers a wide array of prefabricated buildings, mobile offices, trailers and storage solutions for construction jobsites. The modular Satellite Safety Shelters Blast Resistant Modules (BRM) are suitable for use in Zone 1, 2 and 3 petrochemical, petroleum-refining and other industrial applications, says the company. A variety of standard and customized configurations and sizes are available, to withstand pressures from 1 to 8 psi. The standard safety shelter is 12 by 40 ft, with an open floor plan that allows for flexible internal configuration. These temporary or permanent units can also be stacked when space limitations exist. They are PICS qualified and adhere to API RP 753 guidelines, says the company. — Satellite Shelters, Inc., Plymouth, Minn.

www.satelliteco.com

 

Explosion-proof emergency LED illuminates the exits

The EXP-EMG-EXT-LE6-3L-V2 is a bug-eye LED exit sign and light fixture that is approved for use in C1D1/C2D1 locations. This explosion-proof device produces 99 lumens of illumination. The exit sign comes with either a left-pointing or right-pointing arrow to indicate the direction of the nearest exit. This device features self-testing and a backup emergency battery, which will ensure continuous operation for at least 90 minutes in the event of a power outage. It is ideal for use as emergency failsafe lighting in areas where explosion-proof fixtures are required, says the manufacturer. The entire assembly is made of powder-coated, die-cast aluminum with polycarbonate lenses protecting the LED bulbs, and operates on 120/277 V a.c. at 60 Hz. — Larson Electronics LLC, Kemp, Tex.

www.larsonelectronics.com

 

Overfill protection for challenging applications

Ametek Drexelbrook

Ametek Drexelbrook

Designed for use in facilities that require safety-instrumented functionality (SIF), the SIL IntelliPoint RF Series point-level transmitter and safety switch (photo) is suitable for use in challenging environments that must meet API 2350 Overfill Protection Standards, says the company. It now has full SIL2 Certification (SIL3 when a redundant switch is included). It is certified in accordance with IEC61509-2 and has worldwide hazardous area approvals (FM, FMc, ATEX and IECEX-pending). The device features state-of-the-art electronics and built-in Auto Verify circuitry that continually self-tests the complete system and alerts personnel if a fault is detected. No calibration or setpoint adjustments are required, according to the manufacturer. — Ametek Drexelbrook, Horsham, Pa.

www.drexelbrook.com

 

 

 

This fire-resistant material is designed for offshore use

Trelleborg AB

Trelleborg AB

The Firestop fire-resistant material (photo) is a rubber-based compound that can be molded or extruded into numerous shapes and helps to minimize fire escalation. It allows finished components to be thinner and lighter compared to those made from current passive fire-protection materials. This makes it ideal for use in offshore oil-and-gas applications. — Trelleborg AB, Stockholm, Sweden

www.trelleborg.com

 

 

 

Compact flame arresters are easy to disassemble

Fabrica Nazionale Cilindri S.p.A. (FNC)

Fabrica Nazionale Cilindri S.p.A. (FNC)

This latest generation of flame arresters (photo) includes a new, patented construction concept, according to the company. The deflagration-proof end-of-the-line type is available in sizes 1 in. through 16 in. An inline, bi-directional flame arrester provides deflagration protection, and is available in sizes 1 through 20 in. Meanwhile, a bi-directional flame arrester is also available to provide inline, stable and unstable detonation protection. All are available in a range of materials, including carbon steel, stainless steel and several other metals and coatings. They are designed for easy assembly and disassembly to ease maintenance efforts. — Fabrica Nazionale Cilindri S.p.A. (FNC), Cislago, Italy

www.fncitalia.it

 

 

 

Head gear protects workers from extreme heat

Excessive heat exposure, indoors or outdoors, presents a dangerous on-the-job hazard for many chemical process industries (CPI) workers. The Chill-Its Cooling Products includes a large assortment of bandanas, hats, headbands, dew rags and towels, made from a high-performance, moisture-wicking, quick-drying fabric that promotes evaporative cooling and reduces the risk of heat stress. These head-covering items are comfortable to wear under hats, helmets or alone. Some have tie closures, others have a hook-and-loop closure. Colors include black (to hide dirt), high-visibility orange and a variety of patterns, including camouflage. — Ergodyne, St. Paul, Minn.

www.ergodyne.com

 

Reduce explosion risk with this flameless explosion vent

Rembe, Inc.

Rembe, Inc.

Primarily designed for elevators and screeners, the Q-Ball (photo) uses the “contour parallel venting principle” to guarantee a flameless explosion-venting option for CPI process operators. It is designed to keep flames, pressure and dust from escaping the unit. Several recent advances help the Q-Ball to reduce the required vent area to a minimum while maximizing venting effectiveness, says the company. For instance, its weight has been reduced, thanks to engineering advances that have replaced outer frame profiles, says the manufacturer. It is available in four available sizes. Integrated signaling allows for easy monitoring. Recent innovation in the stainless-steel mesh material helps to cool down flames (up to 5,400°F) extremely efficiently within 500 milliseconds, which extinguishes the explosion, according to the company. — Rembe, Inc., Charlotte, N.C.

www.rembe.us

 

Compact detector provides rapid flame detection

InfraTec

InfraTec

Ongoing advances in infrared detectors have allowed for the production of increasingly smaller, more-complex fire-fighting components. The new Pyromid LRM 244 detector (photo) is a pyroelectric detector that combines four channels in one housing (15.2 mm dia.). An aperture window of 8.5-by-8.5 mm 2 is integrated within the cap of the housing. The detector’s large, symmetrical field of view (>90 deg) allows flames to be detected within the greatest possible angular range with an ideal signal-to-noise ratio, says the company. — InfraTec GmbH, Dresden, Germany

www.infratec.de

 

 

 

 

 

Pull-wire safety switch initiates emergency stops

Steute Industrial Controls

Steute Industrial Controls

The Series ZS 71 emergency pull-wire switch (photo) is equipped with snap-action, NC-positive-break contacts, providing a safe, reliable means for initiating an emergency stop along the length of the installed pull wire. The switching function is actuated when the wire is pulled or broken. It has a 35-m reach, integral push-botton reset, die-cast aluminum and powder-coated housing. An IP 69K ingress-protection rating makes it suitable for a range of applications. It has an operating temperature range of –25°C to 70°C, and a mechanical life of more than 100,000 cycles. — Steute Industrial Controls, Ridgefield, Conn.

www.SteuteXtreme.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vortex flowmeters are designed to enhance safety

Emerson

Emerson

The Rosemount 8800 Vortex flowmeters (photo) are now SIL 2/3-certified (per IEC 61508) and are suitable for safety-instrumented systems. They are designed to reduce process downtime and prevent spurious trips. A single Rosemount 8800 Vortex meter may be used up to SIL2, and the Dual Vortex meter may be used up to SIL3. It comes in a variety of configurations, supporting installations up to 12 in. (300 mm) line sizes, with flanged, wafer, reduced, dual and quad meter body styles. — Emerson, St. Louis, Mo.

www.emerson.com

 

 

 

 

 

Industrial breakaway couplings reduce risk to assets, people

This company’s compact, lightweight Flowbreak Breakaway Couplings are designed to activate in an emergency, to prevent the loss of fluid products (liquids and gases) during transfer operations. The device provides instantaneous closure of both upstream and downstream flow of liquid or gaseous media when activated. — KLAW Products, Wiltshire, U.K.

www.klawproducts.com

 

Protect air quality in magnetic resonance imaging facilities

Safeguarding the quality of air inside magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) facilities is essential to protect the hospital staff and the MRI technology assets, as MRI systems use compressed (liquid) helium to cool superconductive magnets in the MRI scanners. There is a potential risk of helium being released, due to equipment malfunction, power outage or magnetic or vibrational disturbances. The ISA-60M oxygen-deficiency monitor (with MRI-5175 oxygen sensor transmitter) provides continuous surveillance and alarm capabilities to safeguard workers in these types of facilities. — Enmet, Ann Arbor, Mich.