Instrumentation
Miniature Multichannel Detectors Withstand Harsh Environmental Stressors
The cap of conventional multichannel detectors usually includes sensitive narrow-bandpass channel filters. Instead, these sensors include a central window — a significantly more robust broadband filter made of silicon that offers better protection against penetrating moisture. The window can be soldered to the housing to create a complete hermetic seal. The channel filters are placed inside the detector, where they are shielded from mechanical and physical stress, as well as from other variables present in harsh environments. The instrument’s compact, miniaturized construction allows for more analysis channels in the same-size detector, or the same number of channels can be implemented in a smaller package. Users looking to integrate sensors into portable devices will benefit from this technology.
InfraTec
Portable Oil Analyzer Helps Keep Equipment Up and Running
The FluidScan portable infrared oil analyzer helps to prevent equipment downtime and failure by determining if oil is contaminated with water or degraded and thus no longer fit for use. Version 5 includes new features that improve performance and enhance the user experience. The limit of detection (LOD) on total water measurement for turbine oils has been lowered to 300 ppm from the previous version’s LOD of 1,000 ppm, boosting analysis sensitivity and accuracy. The oil library has more than doubled in size, from 300 oils to over 700 oils. An infrared background measurement function enhances measurement stability. From a single drop of oil, the analyzer measures water, total acid number (TAN), oxidation, glycol, total base number (TBN), and other parameters.
Spectro Scientific
Wireless Gas Detector Saves Money and Enhances Safety
The Vanguard WirelessHART (highway addressable remote transducer) gas detector boasts a five-year battery life and single-pushbutton calibration. It maximizes toxic or explosive gas detection points while eliminating the need for costly fixed wiring. The wireless configuration reduces the cost of implementing additional gas measurement points by up to 90%. The nondispersive infrared (NDIR) methane sensor and electrochemical hydrogen sulfide sensor can be easily changed in the field to detect and record methane in percent of lower explosive limits (LELs) and hydrogen sulfide in parts per million (ppm). The detector is suitable for wireless remote and local gas detection, temporary applications in which a wired solution is unfeasible, and asset management initiatives.
United Electric Controls
Control Station Components Are Certified for Hazardous Locations
The EC2B Series of enclosures, control stations, and accessories for hazardous location applications are suitable for panel builders and end users. The family incorporates the manufacturer’s popular EU2B line of hazardous location pushbuttons, pilot lights, selector switches, key selector switches, emergency stop switches, and analog meters. The products are UL-certified for use in Zone 1 and Zone 2 hazardous locations, as well as certified by a variety of global safety institutions. The Type 304 stainless steel enclosures and fully seated pilot devices are rated for protection against water and corrosion. Standard and custom configurations are available for use in chemical, oil and gas, mining, water and wastewater, power, and other facilities.
IDEC
Corrosive Gas Monitor Can Replace Coupons in Some Applications
OnGuard Lite is an active corrosion monitor that can be used to test the air quality in server rooms, rack rooms, control rooms, motor control centers, and more. A silver sensor provides a simple pass or fail result without the need for laboratory testing, allowing any corrosion problem to be detected more quickly than by traditional corrosion couponing methods. A simple peel-and-stick backing eases installation, and the compact unit can be placed in most areas. The light-emitting diode (LED) indicator flashes green under normal conditions but turns red when corrosive gas is present. The monitor has a six-month lifespan.
Purafil
Temperature Measurement System Provides Reliable Profiles of Catalyst Beds
The Sitrans TO500 multipoint temperature measuring system enables complex temperature measurements and detection of the precise position of critical hotspots in equipment, such as tubular reactors. The instrument employs a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) — a type of Bragg reflector constructed in a short segment of optical fiber. A small-diameter sensor measuring lance allows the use of small protective tubes inside the reactor, which makes measurements more accurate and improves productivity and product quality. Chemical industry users will benefit from early detection of hotspots. A reliable temperature profile of catalyst beds helps to optimize reactions and lengthen the service life of catalyst and equipment.
Siemens
Environmental, Health, and Safety
Safety Instrumented System Tags Remain Legible in Harsh Environments
SIS-TAG safety instrumented system (SIS) device identification tags serve as highly visible labels for asset management of safety-critical devices in harsh environments. A photosensitive anodized aluminum composition with text and color permanently sealed within the anodic layer extends the expected life of the tags beyond 20 years. Three sizes and multiple finishes are available. Small gold and black options are recommended for identification and asset management of small SIS devices, such as switches, transmitters, and solenoids. The large tags in silver and black resist heat, humidity, and long-term exposure to ultraviolet light, salt spray, abrasion, solvents, and other chemicals, making them suitable for larger SIS devices, including actuated valves and control valves. All tags can be customized to include tag number, drawing number, asset number, bar codes, and other data.
Process Systems Engineering
Wearable Gas Monitor Operates Continuously for Two Years
The BW Clip4 is a wearable four-gas monitor that can operate continuously for two years without the need to change sensors or charge batteries. It reduces maintenance costs associated with fleets of portable gas detectors by eliminating repair work and the need to stock additional sensors and spare units. Because the monitor can be left on continuously, users can effortlessly comply with safety standards for gas monitoring. An internal test function prompts users when the unit is in need of replacement. Unlike typical portable gas detectors that employ a catalytic bead (pellistor) sensor, the BW Clip4 has a nondispersive infrared (NDIR) sensor that detects flammable gases, including H2S, CO, O2, and combustibles (LEL).
Honeywell
Solar-Powered Security System Is Completely Self-Sustaining
This solar-powered Internet protocol (IP) closed-circuit television (CCTV) system (SICS) enables high-quality, high-definition (HD) surveillance in remote areas. The SICS overcomes the challenges of delivering wireless surveillance in remote and corrosive environments subject to extreme weather conditions, such as oil field locations. These environments often lack fixed buildings, power, and connectivity, requiring a standalone, transportable surveillance system. This security option is powered by ruggedized solar panels that are optimized for the solar angles of a wide range of global locations. The solar energy is harvested from the panels and stored in batteries that withstand deep cycling and extreme temperatures.
Sunstone IP Systems
App Displays Noise Exposure Data
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Sound Level Meter (SLM) is a free mobile application for Apple devices that measures sound levels in workplaces. It displays real-time noise exposure data based on NIOSH and U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) limits. The app can help raise awareness about work environment noise hazards, inform decisions about hearing protection, serve as a research tool, and aid hearing health and prevention efforts. Occupational safety and health trainers teaching personnel about noise hazards may find the easy-to-use tool helpful for demonstrations to highlight the importance of hearing protection.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Emergency Showers Are Suited for Harsh Outdoor Environments
These emergency safety showers (ESSs) are integrated into shelters made of advanced composite glass-reinforced polyester (GRP) for durability in harsh outdoor environments. The exterior faces of the insulated shelters are covered in an ultraviolet-resistant gel coating. The enclosures are offered with a 4-ft square or a 4-ft by 8-ft rectangular footprint. The square format can be deployed as an emergency shower and eyewash station with tempered water drawn from local sources. The larger rectangular option provides additional space to accommodate a water storage tank and heating facilities. Oil, gas, petrochemical, and chemical processing plants sited at Arctic or desert regions, on offshore platforms, or at coastal locations will find these showers suitable.
Intertec Instrumentation, Inc.
Respirator Fits Comfortably to Encourage Compliance with Personal Protective Equipment Guidelines
Personnel often do not comply with respirator recommendations because equipment fits poorly and is uncomfortable. AVIVA is a half-mask respirator that features a low-profile head harness for enhanced stability and compatibility with safety helmets and eye protection for a comfortable fit that permits movement. A built-in fit-check button guarantees a secure fit. The design ensures voice intelligibility, enabling the wearer to clearly communicate. The mask is compatible with a range of filters, permitting its use in a variety of industrial applications.
Scott Safety
Materials and Chemicals
Coatings Protect Steel Surfaces from High-Temperature Corrosion
The Endura-Heat line of coatings offers durable protection against heat (up to 1,200°F), thermal shock, and corrosion under insulation (CUI). The line includes seven products ranging from a zinc-rich silicone primer to an advanced multipolymeric direct-to-metal (DTM) coating that can be combined in a variety of systems to protect steel and stainless steel surfaces. The primers and DTM coatings and topcoats feature characteristics such as high film build and both ambient and heat cure options. The coating line is suitable for applications in chemical processing facilities, refineries, power plants, water and wastewater facilities, pulp and paper plants, and steel mills.
Tnemec Co., Inc.
Long-Fiber High-Performance Polyamides Form Stiff, Tough Products
Omnix LF-4050 and LF-4060 — high-performance polyamides (HPPAs) with long-fiber glass content of 50% and 60%, respectively — overcome the performance barriers of short-fiber-filled thermoplastics without sacrificing design freedom, processing efficiency, or surface quality. These metal substitutes offer cost and performance benefits in applications subjected to permanent load or severe operating conditions. The materials can be injection molded to produce lightweight forms that resist corrosion. Finished molded products are composed of entangled, 3D long-fiber skeletons, which boast a unique combination of stiffness and toughness, combined with dimensional stability. The long-fiber skeleton outperforms short-fiber HPPAs, exhibiting creep resistance under high loads at high temperatures.
Solvay
Coating Protects Insulation from Abrasion Caused by Vibrating Pipes or Equipment
PITTCOTE 16 coating is a low-temperature anti-abrasive (LTAA) product suitable for use with the manufacturer’s FOAMGLAS insulation blocks, curved segments, half shells, and fitting covers. The water-based, rubberized latex resin provides a durable coating to insulation substrates and reduces abrasion from vibrating piping and equipment. The quick-dry material can be applied with a brush or spray applicator, reducing production time and maximizing efficiency. The coating can be used over a range of service temperatures, from cryogenic to 120°C, streamlining inventory requirements.
Pittsburgh Corning
Rigid Polymer Can Be Thermoformed
This high-density polyethylene (HDPE) Grade 9825E is suitable for food and beverage packaging that requires stiffness and toughness. The polymer is compatible with sheet extrusion thermoforming (SET) processing. Its rigidity enables the material’s use in lightweight designs, with similar performance to other HDPE grades used in SET applications, and contributes to improved performance in average-weight designs. The material has higher impact strength and chemical resistance than similar products, as well as a low water vapor transmission rate.
Total Refining & Chemicals
Lab Equipment
Intelligent Pipette Stand Manages Compliance Recordkeeping and Reporting
The Rainin SmartStand is an intelligent pipette stand that can identify Rainin XLS and XLS+ pipettes by reading their radio-frequency identification (RFID) chip. When a pipette is placed in one of the four holders, the color screen instantly displays its status visually: green means good, yellow indicates service is required soon, and red signals that the pipette is beyond its service or calibration date. When a pipette is removed from the stand, the color screen switches to a more detailed view of its service and asset record. Data are automatically transferred to the EasyDirect Pipette Asset Management software, eliminating the need to manually update a spreadsheets for each pipette. Leveraging the data already stored in a pipette’s RFID chip simplifies the tracking of service data.
Mettler-Toledo
Lab-Scale Pump Operates Quietly
Laboratories and research facilities increasingly request low-noise, oil-free vacuum solutions to avoid contamination and unnecessary noise. ECODRY plus dry-compressing, multistage Roots vacuum pumps meet these needs. In addition to quiet and low-vibration operation, they feature a space-saving design. The compact, low-maintenance pump is sized between small laboratory equipment and large machines, making it suitable for analytical or research laboratories. It meets the requirements for systems such as mass spectrometers and electron microscopes, as well as largescale accelerators. With an average noise value of 52 dB, the pump operates below the noise limit harmful to human health. It can be integrated into plant control systems and remotely controlled.
Leybold
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