Simplifying Plant Safety instrumentation

White paper courtesy of United Electric Controls

Safety implementation typically is done by a group that includes plant instrument engineers and technicians, who are charged with finding simple and reliable solutions. Often, these situations involve the question of when to shut a process down. Such decisions frequently hinge on key process variables such as flow, level, temperature and pressure. these must be in a specified range at various locations within chemical and petrochemical plants, refineries and power plants, including everything from critical process vessels to eye wash stations.

For such point safety applications, a properly designed and implemented digital switch with self-diagnostics can be an important part of the answer. As an element of a multiple technology solution, a digital switch-based approach can help eliminate common-mode failures, significantly improve response time, achieve needed safety integrity levels (SILs), and simplify plant safety instrumentation.

To read the entire white paper, see the embedded document below:

Simplifying Plant Safety Instrumentation from Ives Equipment

Electronically Enhanced Solenoid Valves - Voltage Ranging Valves

Electronically Enhanced
Solenoid Valves
Voltage Ranging Valves
(courtesy of ASCO)

New power management technology is rewriting industry standards for reliability and power consumption of solenoid valve coils. The new technology solenoid valves accepts both AC and DC voltages while improving performance. Available in 2-way, 3-way and 4-way, these solenoid valves are designed to handle most fluid control applications.

The enhanced valves are designed to be drop in replacements for existing valves. There is no change to functional attributes such as flow, pressure, ambient & fluid temperatures or physical attributes such as envelope size and face-to-face dimensions. If you're looking to just switch out a coil,  enhanced coil kits are direct replacements for the old coil kits.

Here are the benefits to end customers:

Lower Power Consumption

• 1.0 watt (DC version) & 1.5 watts (AC/DC versions)
• Lowers energy cost up to 80% compared to standard solenoid valves 

RoHS 2 Compliant

• Satisfies CE Directives 2002/95/EC and 2001/65/EU (RoHS 2) for the restriction of hazardous substances 

Supervisory Current Compatible

• Suitable for systems employing supervisory currents not exceeding the following drop-out currents:
• 20mA (12-24V DC), 15mA (24-120V AC/DC) and 7mA (100-240V AC/DC) 
• Also suitable with devices having leakage currents not exceeding the drop-out currents noted above. 

Broad Voltage Ranges Reduce Inventory

• Available in 24-120V AC/DC, 100-240V AC/DC & 12-24V DC 
• Covers hundreds of global voltage requirements
• Simplifies product selection and reduces complexity
• Lowers inventory cost by eliminating need to stock both AC & DC products
• Includes 125VDC battery (AC/DC versions) & 24VDC battery (DC version) 

DC Performance Increased Up to 500% To Match AC Ratings 

• Transition from AC to DC without sacrificing performance
• Eliminates the need for separate AC & DC output cards
• Simplifies control schemes 

Integrated Surge Suppression

• Prolongs the life of the coil by suppressing external voltage spikes
• Lowers system cost by eliminating the need for additional surge protection 

Fit For Use In Rugged and Demanding Environments

• Wide ambient temperature range for hot and cold environments
• Enclosure Types 1 through 4X for indoor and outdoor applications o Optional Class 1, Division 2 coils available for hazardous locations 

No AC Hum

• Ideal for applications requiring quiet operation

High-Temperature Capable Flammability Analyzer Increases Profit at Plastics Product Manufacturer

Flammability analyzer designed for
tough industrial applications
(courtesy of Control Instruments Corporation)

The customer is global supplier of vibration damping and sealing products for the automotive, consumer electronic and industrial markets that sells elastomer-coated metals, gaskets, brake shims and automotive and brake noise insulators. They also manufacture a variety of sealing materials, such as deck plates, oil filter adaptors, water outlets, pumps, relief valves, and rear cam and surge tank covers.

In their process solvents are applied to a web material. The web material contains PTFE and/ or rubber based adhesives and at times silicone. The main solvent component used is MEK which is not a high flash point solvent. Flammability analyzers were being used to monitor the flammability levels of the varying solvent levels in the zone’s atmosphere.

The flammability analyzers were mounted fairly far from the oven because of operating temperatures, and subsequently had long sampling lines. The last three zones were very challenging due to the distance and the use PTFE, silicones and other resins. Because the lines were so long, they were clogging from VOCs and vaporized web material and required the line to be shut down and cleaned. The downtime meant loss of production and loss of profits. The customer tried adding end-of-line filters on all sample tubing, which helped, but didn't solve the problem.

To solve the problem, the customer upgraded to a new flammability analyzer (a CIC model SNR674) rated for operating temperatures high enough (392 F) to keep all the elements in a vapor state and designed for use in a dirty environment. Theses new flammability analyzers are mounted directly on the oven wall eliminating the long sample lines. By keeping the sample lines as short as possible they were able to minimize the VOC condensation and eliminate the clogging.

For more information, contact:

Ives Equipment
(877) 768-1600
www.ivesequipment.com

Selecting Valves Used in Wine Production and Craft Brewing

Valves and Sensors
used in wine and
beer making.

Small wineries and craft breweries are appearing all over the Mid-Atlantic region. While mostly small in scale, these producers all have to refine their fermentation, filtering, and bottling processes using valves and process sensors. Controlling temperature, pressure, and flow is critical to any winery or brewery for product consistency and quality. 

Here is an excellent white paper by Scott Cameron of ASCO Valve describing the types of valves used and how they're used.

Selecting Valves to Improve Process Cooling in Winemaking and Other Industries from Ives Equipment

Level Phase Split Detection and Measurement

Phase level detection.

Need a system for continuous interface measurement? This system will monitor the emission phase and detect when phase A/B occurs, avoiding any flow of the emulsion into the incorrect area. When phases are separated, the system allows for tight control, which increases efficiency of separation of liquids A&B.

This system provides the ability to remotely view a process that may not normally be watched. Multiple viewing stations may be linked to the system output so various departments may monitor a process. Customers may purchase video monitors, amplifiers or screen splitters to enhance the system.

 

• Ethernet systems allow the additional functionality of being able to remotely view through a Gigabit network system. Users can have access to live system images from their office networked computer. 
• Software is available for customers that require additional functionality over simple viewing of a live image. Liquid level, color of different phases, and visual verification. 

System verifies the color of fluid in phase split and sends an output signal locating specific points of the interface. All measurements can be recorded and archived for a historical record. 

Monitor phase split in batch mode on organic droplets for increased product recovery. As the droplets appear the system warns of organic phase and the upcoming emulsion. The amount of early droplets and their retraction time will indicate the completeness of the separation. Once the split is identified and stopped, the operator has a visual verification from the video monitor. The color can then be analyzed to ensure there is no inversion.

For more information, contact:

Ives Equipment
601 Croton Road
King of Prussia, PA 19406

(877) 768-1600

www.ivesequipment.com

Basics of Self-Regulating Heat Trace Cable

Self-regulating Heat Tracing Layout

Self-regulating heater cable is a parallel circuit electric heater strip. An irradiation cross- linked conductive polymer core material is extruded over the multi-stranded, tin-plated, 18-gauge copper bus wires. The conductive core material increases or decreases its heat output in response to temperature changes. A thermoplastic elastomer dielectric jacket is then extruded over the conductive core. A copper braid is installed over this jacket providing a continuous ground path. A UV stabilized thermoplastic elastomer overjacket is provided to cover the braid for wet applications and exposure to the sun.

Principle of Operation:

The parallel bus wires apply voltage along the entire length of the heater cable. The conductive core provides an infinite number of parallel conductive paths permitting the cable to be cut to any length in the field with no dead or cold zones developing. The heater cable derives its self- regulating characteristic from the inherent properties of the conductive core material. As the core material temperature increases, the number of conductive paths in the core material decreases, automatically decreasing the heat output. As the temperature decreases, the number of conductive paths increases, causing the heat output to increase. This occurs at every point along the length of the cable, adjusting the power output to the varying conditions along the pipe. The self-regulating effect allows the cable to be overlapped without creating hot spots or burnout. As the cable self-regulates it heat output, it provides for the efficient use of electric power, producing heat only when and where it is needed, and also limiting the maximum surface temperature.

Application:

Self-regulating heater cable is ideal for use in maintaining fluid flow under low ambient conditions. Freeze protection and low watt density process temperature systems such as pipelines, fire protection, process water, dust suppression systems, hot water and structure anti-icing are typical applications for this product. For other than metal pipe heating, see appropriate application guide. The base product is supplied with a copper metal braid with a thermoplastic elastomer overjacket for wet applications, exposure to the sun, and where mechanical abuse is a problem. Cables are UL Listed and CSA Certified for use in non-hazardous locations and can be used on branch sprinkler systems.

For more information see the following Nelson Electric product sheet.

Self-Regulating Heat Trace Cable Application and Operating Principles from Ives Equipment

Why Use Tri-Clover Sanitary Tubes and Fittings

Alfa Laval is a world-leading supplier of fittings for a wide range of sanitary applications within the food, dairy, beverage, bio-pharm and personal care industries.

Their products are developed not only to meet your exacting demands for safety, reliability, efficiency and hygiene, but also to ensure the careful handling of your products.

Alfa Lava (Tri-Clover) manufactures the following kinds of high-quality sanitary products:

• Unions, Tri-Clamp Fittings & Flanges
• Bends, Tees & Reducers
• Tubing
• Butterfly Valves

The following video provides some insight why Tri-Clover is the leader in their industry.

For more information, contact:

Ives Equipment Corporation
601 Croton Road
King of Prussia, PA 19406
(877) 768-1600
www.ivesequipment.com