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New Products & Services

June 2015

A new release of this multiphysics simulation software
Released last month, Multiphysics Version 5.1 is said to be the first and only integrated simulation environment for building multiphysics models and for creating and sharing easy-to-use simulation apps. Version 5.1 enhances user experience and productivity by allowing users to seamlessly combine model setup with application design from within a single interface. Major upgrades to the Application Builder include full integration between the Model Builder and comsol wordcloudApplication Builder, improved layout tools for app design, and LiveLink for Excel capabilities in applications. Users will also benefit from the flexibility of being able to run applications on multiple computers with Comsol Server. — Comsol, Inc., Burlington, Mass. www.comsol.com
A new PAT technique for realtime particle analysis
Relative Backscatter Index (RBI) is a new process analytical technology (PAT) technique that indicates how particle size, shape and concentration changes in real time under actual process conditions. Unlike turbidity measurements, which lack sensitivity and can be difficult to interpret, RBI is an image-based measurement that utilizes realtime microscopy to accurately determine particle system reflectivity in-process. RBI is used to study changes in particle size, shapeMT wordcloud and concentration. Automatically combined with high-resolution, realtime microscopy images, RBI provides a simple, yet informative, process measurement that can be used to understand, optimize and control complex particle systems. RBI is now available to users of this company’s ParticleView 19 with PVM (particle vision and measurement) technology. — Mettler Toledo, Greifensee, Switzerland www.mt.com
Rotary screw vacuum pumps slash energy consumption
1The new GHS 350-900 VSD+ vacuum pump range gives users energy savings of around 50% compared to traditional rotary-vane pumps, says the manufacturer. Based on the well-known and durable plug-and-play design principles of the company’s compressors, these vacuum pumps have been designed by vacuum engineers to deliver peak performance at operating pressures commonly found in industrial applications. The pumps have shown significantly better performance compared to benchmarked oil-sealed and dry-vane vacuum pumps, says the company, and noise levels are far below those of comparable technologies. The GHS VSD+ 350-900 has pumping capacity from 390 to 870 m3/h. The GHS VFD+ Series will be expanded with sizes up to 2,000 m3/h by summer of 2015 and up to 4,500 m3/h early 2016. — Atlas Copco Kompressoren und Drucklufttechnik GmbH, Essen, Germany www.atlascopco.de
Control in the field with WirelessHART
6While the first applications of wireless technology were limited to simply monitoring processes, now WirelessHART can be integrated into the regulating process for controlling ball valves, fans and other mechanical devices. The discrete WirelessHART I/O field device (photo) can capture digital input signals and switch digital outputs up to Zone 1. Namur sensors or mechanical switches are used to determine the direction of rotation and monitor the frequency of an engine or the fill level of a tank using limit value switches. It is also possible to intelligently monitor the position of valves by measuring the breakaway time and runtime of each opening and closing process that the valve performs. In this way, blocked valves can be detected simply by measuring time. Depending on the version of the four wireless-field devices, equipment such as valve position controllers, low-power piezo valves, motor switches, and pumps can be switched on or off via the outputs. — Pepperl+Fuchs GmbH, Mannhein, Germany www.pepperl-fuchs.com
Introducing the smallest high-performance turbopump
5The new HiPace 30 turbopump (photo) is currently the only turbopump on the market in its size class offering pumping speeds of 32 L/s. Its small installation footprint and low level of vibration make this pump particularly suitable for integration into compact analytical systems, such as benchtop mass spectrometers, small electron microscopes and leak detectors. The HiPace 30 is designed with a so-called hybrid bearing. This combination of ceramic ball bearings on the backing vacuum side and permanently magnetic radial bearings on the high vacuum side makes for a particularly sturdy bearing design. The pumps therefore have a long lifecycle with a maintenance interval of approximately four years. — Pfeiffer Vacuum GmbH, Asslar, Germany www.pfeiffer-vacuum.com
An integrated impeller mixes inside IBCs
3The new Schütz impeller (photo) is a one-way stirring system that is integrated into the screw cap of intermediate bulk container (IBCs). The impeller system is available for all 1,000- and 1,250-L Ecobulk types and fits both the DN 150 and DN 225 filling openings. The component is made entirely of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), so the filling goods will not come into contact with steel later on. The screw cap with integrated impeller is pre-installed in the filling opening of the IBC at the production plant. For filling purposes, the system is either briefly removed or remains fixed in place, depending on the filling process and container configuration. IBCs with impellers form a self-contained packaging system. After filling, the IBC can remain permanently closed and sealed all along the supply chain until the product is to be used. — Schütz GmbH & Co. KGaA, Selters, Germany www.schuetz.net
A sound way to measure sulfuric acid concentrations
3Measuring the concentration of sulfuric acid and oleum is an important process parameter to ensure safety, product quality and production efficiency. LiquiSonic analyzers (photo) are used for high-precision concentration measurement in production of sulfuric acid, oleum and fertilizers, synthesis gas drying, ore processing in mining or etching and pickling baths. Sonic velocity, as a physical value, offers high measuring accuracy of±0.03 wt.%, low maintenance and extremely robustness. The sensors can be integrated directly into pipes or containers without bypass. The measurement results are stable, updated every second and provided online to the process control system. — SensoTech GmbH, Magdeburg-Barleben, Germany www.sensotech.com
Fast cleaning of finned heat exchangers
1The JetMaster process was combined with the new JetPower system, which accelerates the cleaning of finned heat exchangers in the case of very large and heavily contaminated surfaces (photo). Finned heat exchangers can be very easily contaminated, often by sand, dust, pollen and other particulate matter. These contaminants form a layer that significantly reduces energy efficiency and can lead to reduced heat-exchange performance. Energy costs can quickly rise by 20% or more as a result. In addition, the corrosion caused by the contaminants can result in a shorter service life of the devices. The jet stream of the new system combination provides a stream diameter of up to 0.5 m; this allows even coarse contaminants to be quickly cleaned on large surfaces. — mycon GmbH, Bielefeld, Germany www.mycon.info
Overspeed protection for turbines and pumps
1Overspeed protection is a key requirement in industries where failure of the turbine- or pump-speed governing system can lead to rotor damage, with expensive consequences. Independent speed monitoring and protection is therefore an essential requirement to minimize these risks as far as practicable. The Sentry G3 is this company’s latest generation of protection equipment for overspeed-protection applications. The four-channel G3 module has been specifically designed with an independent digital signal processor (DSP) for each channel of measurement, providing ease of scalability in combination with high integrity. The DSP can be software-loaded with the specific measurement algorithm that not only controls the sensor selection, but also the protection relay status and analogue output levels. This provides complete hardware autonomy from sensor through to the protection relay combined with a high channel density (24 channels in a 3U format). — Sensonics Ltd., Berkhamsted, U.K. www.sensonics.co.uk
A cabinet oven for Class 100 cleanroom applications
2No. 1023 is a 550°F, electrically-heated, Class 100 cleanroom cabinet oven that is currently used for curing small rubber pieces in rotating drums at the user’s facility. Incoloy-sheathed tubular elements (36 kW of power) are used to heat the oven chamber, while a 2,000-ft3/min, 2-hp recirculating blower provides horizontal airflow to the workload. This cleanroom cabinet oven features 6-in. insulated walls, Type 304, 2B stainless-steel interior with½-in. inside radius corners. Controls for the No. 1023 include all safety equipment required for handling flammable solvents, solid-state heater control relays, circuit-breaker disconnect switch, automatic door switch to shut off the heaters and drum drive when the door is opened, plus a minihelic pressure gage and validation port across each set of filters on the oven. — The Grieve Corp., Round Lake, Ill. www.grievecorp.com
Single-use harvesting for high-cell-density cultures
4Sartoclear Dynamics is a clarification system featuring new single-use technology for harvesting mammalian cell cultures (up to 2,000 L) with high cell densities. Sartoclear Dynamics consists of prefilled single-use bags containing ultrapure diatomaceous earth (DE) in a choice of 0.5 to 10 kg. With a new quick-connect adapter for dust-free powder transfer, DE can be directly mixed into the cell-culture fluid. This porous filter aid prevents blockage of the Sartoclear Dynamics filters. As the system maintains a constant ratio of biomass and filter aid, users will benefit from continuous maximum filter performance. Used in combination with precipitation, this technology transforms harvesting from a two-stage process into a single-stage operation, saving valuable time and reducing footprint, says the company. — Sartorius Stedim Biotech, Göttingen, Germany www.sartorius.com
Control reactor temperatures with this circulator system
3The Presto A45 and A45t expand this company’s portfolio of the new Presto family of temperature-control systems. The process circulators are suited for particularly demanding temperature-control tasks in laboratories and industrial plants; for example for the temperature control of reactors, material stress tests or temperature simulations. The units cover a working temperature range from –45 to 250°C, and provide up to 3.4 kW cooling capacity. The heating capacity of the A45 is 6 kW and 12 kW for the A45t. This permits these two highly dynamic temperature-control systems to compensate exothermic and endothermic reactions extremely fast, says the company. — Julabo GmbH, Seelbach, Germany www.julabo.de
This compact paint dispenser carries 24 canisters
2The new CD2406 is a patented, compact simultaneous colorant dispenser with 24 easy-to-mount canisters to match optimum refill cycles. It is designed for use in professional paint stores and typical POS retail environments. Its footprint of only 1 m2 allows shop space to be saved while high-precision pumps secure fast and precise dispensing performance. The simultaneous color dispenser relies on the company’s stainless-steel piston pump technology to achieve a fast dispensing speed. The 24 canisters, available in standard 3- and 6-L sizes, allow dispensing of up to six colorants at a time. — Clariant International Ltd, Muttenz, Switzerland www.clariant.com
A new line of cast-steel valves
2Designed in accordance with the industry’s latest standards, this new Pacific CSV line of cast-steel gate, globe and check valves provides the highest level of quality and performance in demanding applications. Each Pacific CSV valve is uniquely built and tested per API 598 standards for applications in the oil-and-gas, petrochemical, power and petroleum-refining industries. The globe valves also comply with API 623, a standard released specifically for globe valves. With higher Cv rates and lower operating torques than alternative valve types, Pacific CSV valves deliver superior value to users in demanding applications. These valves are available in various sizes and materials of construction, including special alloys and stainless materials. — CraneChemPharma & Energy, Cincinnati, Ohio www.cranecpe.com