New Products & Services

On October 14 – 16, Houston’s Reliant Center again plays host to the annual expo of the Instrumentation, Systems and Automation Society (ISA; Research Triangle Park, N.C.). Over 400 exhibitors will be featured at the ISA Expo 2008, North America’s largest automation and control exhibition, alongside instructor-led training sessions and other popular returning events: the ISA’s Certifïcation Quiz & Conquer, which allows ISA Certifïcation Automation Professionals (CAPs) and Certifïed Control Systems Technicians (CCSTs) to showcase their knowledge competitively; YAPFEST 2008, an exhibition for young automation professionals; and seven individual technology exchanges covering, respectively, security, wireless and networking, process automation, safety, environmental and quality control, and enterprise integration.

Long a highlight of the ISA Expo, this year’s daily keynote addresses are particularly noteworthy. Drawing on his decade-long Smart Dust research, U.C. Berkeley’s Kris Peter (Berkeley, Calif.) kick starts the series with a speech on the evolution of wireless sensor networking. Initiated with the goal of demonstrating that a comprehensive sensor and communication unit could be fabricated to fit within a single cubic millimeter, the Smart Dust project promises to be a game-changing technology. Historical in perspective, Peter’s talk will begin with the pioneering Microelectromechanical System (MEMS) research he conducted for the U.S. military charting key milestones up to and including today’s first wave of industry-standard, wireless-sensor products. On Wednesday, David J. Nagel of George Washington University (Washington D.C.) will give a presentation on instrumentation for low energy nuclear reactions, discussing the need for multiple, sophisticated sensors and automated control for the recently vindicated science of cold fusion. On the final day of the Expo, John Lienhard — national public radio host and M.D. Anderson Professor Emeritus of mechanical engineering and history at the University of Houston (Houston, Tex.) — will present a deep history of feedback control or "How we learned to think negatively in 300 BC."

More information on ISA Expo 2008 is available at www.isa.org/expo. Below is a sampling of the products and services that will be on display.

The Coflore ACR is a new type of flow reactor for use in laboratories and pilot plants. The use of multiple reaction cells and dynamic mixing gives the reactor much greater flexibility and ability to handle problem fluids. Free-floating agitator elements eliminate the need for mechanical seals and rotating shafts. The reactor has a flexible throughput (10–5,000 mL/h) and has a very low pressure drop. It is able to handle problem fluids (slurries, high viscosity fluids, slow reactions). All wetted surfaces can be assessed for cleaning, and dismantling and assembly takes less than 10 minutes. The ACR is intended for small-scale production, process development and scale up studies. Hall 6.2, Stand F21 — AM Technology, Runcorn, U.K.
www.amtechuk.com

The new CIL 91000 range of Self-Laminating Labels have been developed to survive cryogenic storage. The labels incorporate a clear wrap-around tail to permanently protect your computer-printed variable data, providing clear and reliable identification. These labels are suitable for vials and tubes, are waterproof and can withstand multiple freeze-thaw cycles, water-baths, solvents, abrasion and long-term storage in liquid nitrogen and ultra-low temperature freezers — even down to –196°C — without detaching, cracking or fading. Labels can be printed using a PC and laser or thermal-transfer printer. — Computer Imprintable Label Systems Ltd., Worthing, U.K.

  www.cils-international.com

The newly developed overbelt electromagnets are suitable for dusty, explosion-sensitive environments in ATEX 22 zones. These magnets are suitable for removing iron particles from recycling or bulk-handling material flows, such as wood, garbage, refuse-derived fuel (RDF), hard coal and cement. The conveyor belts are durable, so they easily capture separated iron particles and cast them off. An auxiliary magnet ensures removal of the iron from the magnetic field. An optional heat exchanger with fan can be added to control the cooling of the magnet. — Goudsmit Magnetic Systems BV, Waalre, the Netherlands

www.goudsmit-magnetics.nl

The Horizontal Cooler EFF (photo) delivers efficient cooling due to a newly designed vessel system and a newly developed, cooled mixing tool with large surface area. The Thermplate mixing vessel consists of a double-wall plate system that is appropriate for the heat transfer. Laser welding and a subsequent process of forming and inflating are used for manufacturing the mixing vessel. Water, steam and hot oils can be used as media. The vessel is made of stainless steel and rated for pressures up to 10 bars. Three cooling cycles are located inside the vessel itself, in its side walls, and in the helical mixing tool. The shape of the mixing tool is designed for increased efficiency. — Zeppelin Systems GmbH, Friedrichshafen, Germany

www.zeppelin-systems.com

A new series of modular panels designed for use with ultra-high purity instrumentation or process gas-control systems is now available. The Series 53 and Series 54 are designed to provide final pressure control in gas distribution systems. The panels can be configured with one to four regulators mounted on modular 308 stainless-steel panels. Users can select from five different delivery pressures for each regulator station, from 0 – 15 up to 0 – 500 psig. — Booth 2356 — Concoa, Virginia Beach, Va.

www.concoa.com

Covered by a number of patents, the stretch hood method (photo) combines the advantages of shrink wrap and stretch wrap while avoiding the disadvantages of these traditional packaging methods. With the so-called biaxial stretch, the vertical expansion of the foil during the stretch procedure is expanded vertically by more than 5%. The residual expansion that results from this ensures that vertical tensions remain in the foil that have a decisive effect on transport safety, while also reducing consumption of packaging material. With biaxial stretch, excellent stacking stability persists, even after repeated transloading. With the unstretch technique, this firm ensures a weatherproof and shipment-safe loading unit. Hall 3.0, Stand L20 – L21 — Beumer Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG, Beckum, Germany

www.beumer.com

Ecocyl OSQ is a refillable cylinder for portable calibration and testing of highly sensitive, environmental monitoring devices. It uses a unique, negative-pressure technology that guarantees precision in the calibration-gas delivery requirements for ultra-sensitive instruments, which can be susceptible to damage from the positive gas pressure usually applied by other gas cylinders. Such instruments include detection monitors with integrated pumps or those monitors calibrated in docking stations with built-in pumping devices. These cylinders have integrated valve, pressure regulator and flow control, which are permanently protected by a protective cowling, reducing the risk associated with connecting hoses. — Linde Gases, a div. of The Linde Group, Munich, Germany

http://www.linde.com

With dewatering belts made of polyester or polyphenylene sulfide, considerably dryer sludges can be attained in serial dryers. These synthetic meshes cover working temperatures ranging from 80 to 200°C and pH values of 1–14. The belts, woven from robust monofilaments and given extensive subsequent treatment, can stand extremely high surface loads. Their specific structure also ensures excellent cleaning of the belt. The patent-pending GKD-PAD seam further develops the conventional hook seam, thereby providing operators with a considerably thinner seam than the previous glue-compressed seam while maintaining the high quality standards. The hook seam, which is covered by a textile pad, is melted and pressed together with glue into the mesh using a novel heating press. The seam is not only easy to use but also particularly durable and persistent. The GKD-PAD seam has proved its worth in various applications, especially in the sewage sludge dewatering and the fruit juice industry running on twin-wire belt presses. — GKD – Gebr. Kufferath AG, Dürren, Germany

www.gkd.de

By measuring the hydrocarbon (HC) dew point and the moisture in natural gas, the Hygrophil HCDT (photo) monitors the quality of the gas while reliably protecting the plant. The measuring system consists of the display unit Hydrophil F 5673, the moisture sensor L 1660 and the HCDT sensor. Both sensors are installed in a sample system that enables precise, drift-free and fast detection of the HC and water dew point. The precision of the HCDT sensor is ±0.5°C. Measured drift can be excluded because platinum temperature sensors are considered to be drift-free and moving, easy-to-wear-out components have been integrated. As a result, the sensors do not require a cyclic recalibration. — Bartec GmbH, Gotteszell, Germany

www.bartec-benke.de

This firm has recently launched the RAM 5 (photo), a production-scale mixer based on the proprietary ResonantAcoustic Mixing (RAM) technology ( CE, December 2007, p. 13). RAM technology uses low-frequency, high-intensity acoustic energy to produce a consistent shear field throughout the mixing vessel, causing rapid fluidization and dispersion of material. The RAM 5 mixes without impellers, and is capable of mixing from 1 to 80 lb of material, including gases, liquids, solids, powders, viscous liquids and pastes. The unit is said to be the only non-invasive mixer capable of processing materials with viscosities greater than 100 million cP. — Resodyn Acoustic Mixers, Inc., Butte, Mont.

The 6000 Series Purge Pressurization System is the latest addition to the Bebco family of purge/pressurization systems. The system is user-configurable to satisfy particular applications, and can be used with enclosures up to 250 ft³ of volume. It is also certified to all applicable updated standards for both gas and dust hazardous atmospheres; is IECEx, cULus and ATEX-directive certified; and complies with IEC 61508 SIL-2 (safety integrity level). The 6000 is a complete purging system that contains the controller and pneumatic, electrical I/O and programming interface housed in a durable type 4X, IP66-rated enclosure. — Booth 2142 — Pepperl + Fuchs, Inc. Twinsburg, Ohio

www.pepperl-fuchs.com

Version 7.1 of the Simatic PCS 7 process control system has been equipped with a number of new functions aimed at helping to reduce engineering, installation and commissioning times while reducing operation and maintenance (O&M) costs. For engineering, the Advanced Process Library offers several new operating modes and facilitates enhanced interaction between operator and equipment. The user interface has also been modified with the aim of achieving greater efficiency and productivity. Polling and analysis of historical and current process data have been simplified. An improved Trend Control function allows access to and visualization of trends directly at the operator station. With the new Data Monitor tool, a direct connection to process data can be established in Excel. Hall 9.2, Stand A6 – E24 — Siemens, AG, Industry Sector, Industry Automation Division, Nürnberg, Germany

www.siemens.com/automation

http://www.purgexonline.com 

EasyMax 102 is a semi-automated chemical-synthesis reactor system that replaces traditional, more cumbersome synthesis processes that rely on round-bottom flasks, oils and ice baths. Requiring almost no setup and operated by a simple touchpad, EasyMax has a built-in solid-state thermostat covering a wide temperature range (–40 to 180°C) without a cryostat. The iC Software Suite included with EasyMax integrates the entire experimental workflow; data can be collected or stored in-unit, and transferred to PC via USB. — Mettler Toledo, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland

www.mt.com/easymax

The X-zone 5000 (photo) combines the advantages of mobile and stationary gas measurement, making it suitable for situations with increased security needs, such as maintenance and industrial plants. Up to six combustible and toxic gases can be measured. The device is placed at locations where a gas leak is likely to occur, and it continuously monitors such areas and warns of a potential hazardous condition. The unit has a relay to trigger other devices, so it can also initiate security measures, such as switching on a ventilation system, closing a gate and so on. The unit includes a Zone 0 hazardous approval so it can be used in potentially explosive environments. — Dräger Safety AG & Co. KGaA, Lübeck, Germany

www.draeger.com

The Atlas Remote Mount module (photo) adds functionality to the Atlas family of modular synthesis products. Designed for chemists performing reactions in jacketed reactors, the Remote Mount offers a fast and easy-to-use vessel-clamping system with quick "click" action. A vessel assembly can be located away from the Atlas Base, while an umbilical connection provides communication for remote control, allowing the system to retain all the benefits and functionality of the Atlas system. Working volumes are maximized to 5 L. — Syrris Ltd., Royston, U.K.

The VLT Series Variable Frequency Drives are now available with power through 1,350 hp in 460 and 690 V a.c. and several frame models: F1 frame models boast up to 1,050 hp in an 86.8- X 55.1- X 23.9-in. footprint; and F2 models offer up to 1,350 hp in an 86.8- X 71.0- X 23.9-in. footprint. All models have components that are accessible from the front of the unit for improved serviceability and maintenance. Every drive in the VLT Series comes with a high-power F-frame size and a cooling design that utilizes ducted back channels to pass cooling air over heat sinks, minimizing air flow across sensitive electronic components. According to the firm, this method exhausts 85% of the heat losses directly outside of the device’s enclosure, which reduces the internal temperature as well as potential contamination of the electronics. A number of power, monitoring, enclosure, filtering, control and convenience options and accessories are available to enhance performance and operation. — Booth 21015 — Danfoss Drives, Milwaukee, Wis.

www.danfossdrives.com

Version 7.1 of the Simatic PCS 7 process control system has been equipped with a number of new functions aimed at helping to reduce engineering, installation and commissioning times while reducing operation and maintenance (O&M) costs. For engineering, the Advanced Process Library offers several new operating modes and facilitates enhanced interaction between operator and equipment. The user interface has also been modified with the aim of achieving greater efficiency and productivity. Polling and analysis of historical and current process data have been simplified. An improved Trend Control function allows access to and visualization of trends directly at the operator station. With the new Data Monitor tool, a direct connection to process data can be established in Excel. Hall 9.2, Stand A6 – E24 — Siemens, AG, Industry Sector, Industry Automation Division, Nürnberg, Germany

www.siemens.com/automation

In professional life, the influences that teach us, inspire us and drive us to succeed tend to come more from individuals than corporations. If you would like to bring recognition to someone whose excellence in chemical engineering you admire, consider nominating him or her for Chemical Engineering’s 2010 Personal Achievement Award. The nomination period is now open.
The aim of this award, which Chemical Engineering (CE) has offered biennially since 1968, is to honor individuals for distinguished careers. It complements CE’s Kirkpatrick Award for Chemical Engineering Achievement, presented in the alternate years, which honors companies — as opposed to individuals — for specific chemical-process accomplishments.
Our Personal Achievement Awards have saluted excellence in diverse areas — research, development, design, plant operations, management and other activities. The distinction can emerge in less-ordinary ways, such as government service. The criterion is that the career must have related, fully or largely, to the use of chemical engineering principles in solving industrial, community or other problems.

It’s easy to nominate

Submitting an award nomination is a simple matter:
1. State the name, job title, employer and address of the candidate.
2. Prepare a summary, in up to about 500 words, that highlights your nominee’s career and brings out his or her creativity and general excellence in the practice of chemical engineering technology. At least some of the activity must have taken place during the three-year period ending Dec. 31, 2009. Be specific about key contributions or achievements. But do not include confidential information in your writeup.
3. Please be sure to include your own name and address, in case we need to contact you.
4. Send your nomination no later than April 15 to:

Nanette Santiago
Chemical Engineering
110 William St., 11th floor
New York, NY 10038
Email: [email protected]

We encourage you to ask others to provide information in support of the nominee; ask them to write to us by April 15. Such input has often proved to be decisive during the judging.

What’s next

Once we receive a nomination, we will ask the candidate whether he or she is willing to be considered (you may instead do so yourself and include a note to that effect in your nomination). Meanwhile, we might take any steps that seem called for to verify the accomplishments stated in the brief or the supporting letters.
Next, we will send all the nominations to a panel of senior chemical engineering educators, who will evaluate and rank them. Based on the voting of these judges, we will designate one or more winners. Then we will inform all the nominees and nominators about the results of the voting.
An article in Chemical Engineering around the end of this year will profile the winners. Around the same time, we will present physical embodiments of the awards to these individuals.

Points to keep in mind

Nominees can be from any country. They need not hold a degree in chemical engineering. But their achievements must have involved use of chemical-engineering principles in solving problems, and part of the activity must have been in 2007 – 2009.
The Personal Achievement Award has been hailed and respected since its inception. We welcome your nomination, to help us maintain this worthwhile activity.

Recent award winners

When thinking about whom to nominate, keep in mind that a distinguished career can take many forms. Here, for instance, are the most recent winners:
Brian W. S. Kolthammer, research fellow at The Dow Chemical Co., may be best known for his pioneering work in the kinetic modeling of catalyst systems and their process adaptation to solution, process-polymerization plants for the manufacture of polyolefins. This work has enabled record pacing in the successful scaleup and commercialization of new, major plastomer and elastomer product lines.
Shyam Lakshmanan, group general manager at See Sen Chemical Bhd & Malay-Sino Chemical Industries Sdn Bhd, has been hailed as the “foremost person” at his company responsible for achieving plant capacity improvements and water, fuel and electricity savings.
Henry Kister, of Fluor, has been hailed as the world’s foremost authority on distillation and absorption troubleshooting. He has written two widely consulted engineering books on distillation, as well as over 70 articles, and has taught courses and spearheaded symposia in distillation.

Rebekkah Marshall