Bioprocessing
Device Confirms the Integrity of Filters in Pharmaceutical Processing
The Sartocheck 5 Plus filter-integrity tester is used in downstream pharmaceutical processing. It detects operator errors, improper test setups, and out-of-tolerance environmental conditions. As such, it helps to minimize health, safety, and environmental risks, and ensures data integrity to meet the requirements of regulatory authorities. This advanced filter tester can be used to provide integrity testing for a range of applications, from small syringe filters up to large housings and crossflow cassettes, with diffusion rates of up to thousands of milliliters per minute. Sartocheck 5 Plus is ATEX, IECEx, and FM compliant.
Sartorius Stedim Biotech
Disposable Autoinjector Device Handles Various Viscosities
The BD Intevia combines an autoinjector device and prefillable syringe in one disposable system. This disposable autoinjector is a push-on-skin device that is designed to safely and effectively inject a variety of medications of different viscosities (up to 35 cP) and different fill volumes (up to 1 mL), without the need for system customization. Its user-friendly design includes visual feedback indicators to ensure appropriate drug administration by the patient.
Beckton, Dickinson and Co.
Materials and Chemicals
Environmentally Friendly Dyes Improve Sportswear Textiles
The Foron SP-WF family of dyes is part of the company’s Fast Sport coloration system. These dyes are designed for sportswear and active-wear applications, and are especially suited for the coloration of polyester fibers, microfibers, and polyester/elastane blends. The Foron SP-WF range includes primary and ternary color grades, and was developed to fulfill the performance requirements of sportswear manufacturers and brands. The core ternary color grades enable deep shades to be achieved at lower dyeing temperatures on sensitive polyester/elastane fabrics without causing excessive fiber damage, which saves energy and meets the color-fastness requirements of today’s activewear manufacturers. The company’s environmentally friendly Fast Sport dye options are designed to reduce the consumption of water, chemicals, and energy, and generate fewer CO2 emissions.
Archroma
Additive Makes Black Plastic Packaging Visible to Sorting Systems
The Clariant CESA-IR additive masterbatches make dark-colored plastics visible to near-infrared (NIR) sensors that are used in automated polymer-sorting systems. This supports the company’s initiative to design for recycling, enabling process operators to continue generating products with carbon black, which can pose a problem in automated NIR-based recycling systems. This additive masterbatch is available for numerous polymers and applications. Specific CESA-IR formulations have been developed to enable IR-detectability of black high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) in injection and extrusion blow-molded products. Formulations have also been developed for black propylene (PP) in films and injection-molded products, and black polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and crystalline PET (C-PET) in sheets and film.
Clariant
Internally Lubricated Compounds Reduce Noise in Automotive Interior Parts
Two new lubricated, low-gloss compounds have been added to the company’s LNP product portfolio to reduce buzz-squeak-rattle (BSR) noise in automotive interior parts. The new compounds are based on polycarbonate/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (PC/ABS) and polycarbonate/acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (PC/ASA), offering more options for automakers. These new compounds are said to provide advantages over silicone and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTF), including easy paintability.
Sabic
New PEEK Grade Can Withstand Elevated Temperatures
KetaSpire PEEK XT is a high-temperature polyetheretherketone (PEEK) that combines the inherent chemical resistance of standard PEEK with significantly higher strength and stiffness at elevated temperatures. PEEK XT has a glass-transition temperature of 170°C (338°F), which is 20°C (36°F) higher than standard PEEK. Its melting temperature is 45°C (81°F), also higher than that of standard PEEK. It exhibits significantly higher strength and stiffness at elevated temperatures than standard PEEK, with a 400% higher tensile modulus and nearly 50% higher tensile strength at 160°C (320°F). PEEK XT has a higher chemical resistance than other high-temperature polyketones. It also has better electrical properties at 250°C (482°F) than standard PEEK — its dielectric strength is 50% higher and its volume resistivity is an order of magnitude greater. The resin is available in neat, 30% glass-fiber-reinforced, and 30% carbon-fiber-reinforced grades for injection molding and extrusion, as well as in fine powder form for compression molding and coarse powder form for compounding.
Solvay
www.solvayspecialtypolymers.com
Copolymer for Sizing Improves Fiber Reinforcements
ZeMac E10 is an ethylene-maleic anhydride alternating copolymer that has the highest possible concentration of maleic anhydride (78%), which provides a high performance-to-cost ratio. It can significantly upgrade fiber reinforcements that are used to produce plastic compounds and composites. It can also improve the strength-to-weight ratio of plastic components for many applications, such as wind blades for energy, printed circuit boards for electronics, and various products in the transportation sector. The copolymer can be used to size the glass fibers, carbon fibers, or liquid-crystal polymer (LCP) fibers that are used in reinforced plastics, such as polyesters and polyamides, as well as thermosets, such as epoxy resins and unsaturated polyesters. For most of these applications, epoxy sizing is typically used. ZeMac E10 has an advantage over traditional surface sizing agents because it has a lower viscosity.
Vertellus
Instrumentation
Detection Device Protects Conveyor Belts from Damage
The Model DB belt-rip detector operates on a simple cable-pull concept, and is robust enough to meet the needs of mine-duty and quarry-duty applications. When a belt tears or a foreign object (such as a wrench, screwdriver, or piece of rebar) pierces a conveyor belt, the cable releases the activation ball from its protective socket, trips the device, and activates an alarm. The detector can control up to four separate circuits, depending on the model chosen. By triggering machinery shutdown, the device minimizes further conveyor belt damage. The standard housing is constructed of corrosion-resistant cast aluminum, with an optional polyester or black epoxy powder coating. The protective rubber boot on the cage assembly keeps the activation mechanism clean and functional and is easily replaced if damaged.
Conveyor Components Co.
Dual-Channel Transmitter Eases Water-Quality Measurement
The AWT420 is a four-wire, dual-channel analytical transmitter that measures multiple parameters in a single device. It can measure pH, oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), conductivity, dissolved oxygen content, and turbidity. This user-friendly device has interchangeable communications and sensor modules that allow it to be upgraded as needed without having to purchase additional units. It is simple to integrate, is data-secure, and fast to upgrade in the field, and helps to optimize efficient water usage and treatment. Pluggable, factory-calibrated modules for HART, Profibus, Modbus, or Ethernet communications and digital EZLink pH/ORP, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity sensors are available to use in conjunction with the transmitter. It has an intuitive interface, simple setup menus, and a one-button calibration routine. With its dual-channel design, users can opt for analog or digital sensors or a combination of the two.
ABB Measurement & Analytics
Fluids and Solids Handling
Mobile Drum Dumper Handles Free- and Non-Free-Flowing Solids
The Mobile Drum Dumper-Conveyor System allows dust-free dumping and conveying of bulk solids from drums to process equipment and storage vessels throughout a facility. The device is mounted on a mobile frame with hydraulic floor jacks. It forms a dust-tight seal between the rim of the drum and the underside of the discharge cone. Its Tip-Tite Drum Dumper design accommodates drums from 30 gal to 55 gal, weighing up to 750 lb and measuring 36–48 in. tall. A separate hydraulic cylinder tips the platform-hood assembly and drum, stopping at dump angles of 45 deg., 60 deg., and 90 deg. with a motion-dampening feature. The cone mates with a gasketed inlet port that is fitted to the hopper of the system’s flexible screw conveyor; it can also be fitted to other low-profile equipment throughout the plant. A pneumatically actuated slide-gate valve prevents material flow until the discharge cone has been properly seated in the gasketed receiving ring. The system is available in carbon steel or stainless steel with a variety of surface-contact finishes to meet food, dairy, or pharmaceutical standards.
Flexicon Corp.
Volumetric Feeder Eases Delivery of Additives
The VMF-90D volumetric screw feeder is an automatic screw-feed system for metering, mixing, and dispensing dry materials into dosing lines, without the need for additional add-ons or modifications to feeder hardware. Recent design enhancements ease installation of the feeder into a wide range of additive-metering systems. New standard features (which were previously optional) include a concentric material-conditioning overwind auger, a silicone controlled rectifier (i.e., SCR controller) that may be remotely mounted, a 4–20-mA output integrated cycle timer, an alarm sensor, and a vibratory agitator. Constructed from corrosion-resistant stainless steel, the feeder is suitable for use in water, wastewater, and chemical-processing applications. It accurately dispenses most chemicals found in water and wastewater applications at feed rates of 0.77–7.73 ft3/hr, with an accuracy to within 1.0% of volume. While the unit is operational off-the-shelf, a variety of options are available to increase versatility.
Scaletron Industries, Ltd.
Bag-Closing System Operates at Variable Speeds
The A1-PB EL fully automatic, height-adjustable bag-closing system incorporates the company’s proven DS-9C high-speed, oil-enclosed sewing head. It uses proven vector-drive technology to ensure flexible speed matching to conveying systems. The system is designed for paper, poly-woven, jute, and woven-cloth bags, and provides a consistent finished product with plain-sew and crepe-tape bound closures. Fast start-stop action helps to reduce material waste. Its electric lift mechanism is activated by a single push-button, allowing operators to easily adjust the machine for bag-height changes. Optional accessories, such as automatic infeed devices and conveyors, are available.
American-Newlong, Inc.
Volumetric Feeder Improves Additives Handling
The Model TSF twin-screw feeder is designed for precise batching and weighing applications. The feeder combines fast, high-volume filling at the beginning of the cycle with accurate dribble flow at the end of the cycle. Its dual-helix, compact design is suitable for applications where limited space prohibits multiple individual screw units. Two helixes (1.4-in.- and 4-in.-dia.) are mounted on an 18-in. by 22-in. hopper. They are rated at 17 ft3 and 283 ft3 per hour, respectively, at maximum speeds with no slippage. This feeder is designed for applications that require low loss-in-weight scale-monitored flow, as well as drum and pail packaging lines, and recipe-type batching by multiple computer-controlled units.
Best Process Solutions, Inc.
Bottom Blowdown Valve Eases Waste Expulsion from Boilers
The RTK Bottom Blowdown Valve enables quick and problem-free clearing of particulate materials and dissolved solids from the bottoms of steam and hot-water boilers. Its hardened trim and anti-flashing seat protect the valve body from cavitation and flashing effects. The angle design manages and reduces pressure in the valve’s single-stage configuration. This reduces the need for frequent replacement or valve rebuilding during routine maintenance operations. Two styles of quick-open angle blowdown valves — pneumatic and manual — are available for high-pressure conditions. Both reduce needless water or steam loss by allowing a quick-open feature to fully expel waste materials. Sizes and configurations are available from PN63/DN20 to PN160/DN50.
Circor International, Inc.
Software
Software Helps Assess, Predict, Model, and Optimize Operations
Having accurate mass balance and yield-accounting data is critical to reduce risk and losses in chemical process operations that are used for custody transfer, plantwide material balances, and yield-accounting tasks. This company has added the enterprise-wide Sigmafine platform (through a partnership with Pimsoft) to its software portfolio. The platform, when combined with the company’s flow-measurement technologies and mass-balance and loss-control consulting expertise, is used to validate and reconcile the accuracy, reliability, and usability of plant and field measurements. Having a reliable dataset for mass balance and yield-accounting systems can improve operations, prevent theft, reduce losses, and mitigate financial risk.
Emerson
Improve Control System Cybersecurity
The Cynalytic analytics tool provides intrusion detection and behavior monitoring to improve the cybersecurity of critical energy, water, and transportation systems that rely on serial communications-based ICS/SCADA networks. It now includes advanced alerting, such as logical operators and other new features. System-level analysis that provides a threat-hunting view for anomalous serial traffic, combined with advanced data-visualization and dashboard tools, help users monitor and understand historically unmonitored and unprotected serial communication threats to industrial control systems.
Cynash, Inc.
Modular Software Safeguards Pipelines
PipePatrol is a comprehensive suite of software modules for long- or short-distance single- and multi-product pipelines that transport oil, water, chemicals, and refined products. The suite can help manufacturers and distributors monitor and protect pipelines in diverse operating conditions. Eight PipePatrol modules cover leak detection, theft detection, stress monitoring, line-break detection, tightness monitoring, batch tracking, pump monitoring, and predictive modeling. The modules can be used alone or in various configurations and may be complemented by a wide range of instrumentation, cybersecurity, and field-data-acquisition systems.
Krohne, Inc.
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