Process Heating articles from June 2008

Process Heating archives from June 2008

Take the 10 percent challenge: I don't think putting a scarf on your oven will help.(Commentary)
June 1, 2008... My favorite season--summer--is upon us, and it couldn't have come soon enough. Certainly, I love summer because of the long lazy days, concerts, festivals, sporting events and more: the veritable wealth of entertainments upon which I gorge...

Metso Paper helps rebuild a large paper machine at Stora Enso.(Inner Workings)
June 1, 2008... To boost machine capacity and product quality, the Varkaus, Finland-based mill of Stora Enso, an integrated paper, packaging and forest products company, completed a rebuild of paper machine PM3. The rebuilt machine is now capable of producing...

GEA takes over Viex.(Inner Workings)
June 1, 2008... In an effort to expand its plate heat exchanger line and increase North American business, GEA PHE Systems North America, an international supplier of plate heat exchangers, has acquired Toronto, Canada-based plate heat exchanger specialist...

Boilers reduce fuel costs, conserve resources.(Inner Workings)
June 1, 2008... As gas and oil prices continue to grow and more companies get serious about conserving natural resources and greening up their processes, many are turning to boiler technologies such as those offered by New York-based Miura Boiler. Because of...

Receive thermal fluid tips via e-mail.(Inner Workings)
June 1, 2008... After a one-year hiatus, Tipsheet, a free monthly technical e-mail series for users of thermal fluids and hot-oil systems from Paratherm Corp., West Conshohocken, Pa., returned a new installment. Also, though previously delivered without...

Industry-based solutions focus of web site.(Inner Workings)
June 1, 2008... Pittsburgh-based Chromalox, a manufacturer of electric heat and control products, revamped its web site to deliver increased functionality and allow visitors to find and configure solutions based on industry and application. [ILLUSTRATION...

Continental launches distributor network.(Inner Workings)
June 1, 2008... The U.S. and Canadian distribution network for Continental products has been reorganized by Leesburg, Va.-based Eurotherm into a collection of master distributors. According to the company, the network of master distributors will provide...

E-Newsletter offers thermocouple advice.(Inner Workings)
June 1, 2008... Many manufacturers are looking for efficiency improvements to help offset soaring raw material and energy costs. Better temperature measurement and control of plant processes can be an inexpensive, quick way to improve product quality, reduce...

Argentinean polystyrene plant completes digital automation project.(Inner Workings)
June 1, 2008... A multi-year digital automation project at Petrobras Zarate's polystyrene manufacturing facility near Buenos Aires, Argentina, resulted in production gains and reduced plant downtime. Through the modernization: * Production rose by 3 to 5...

Calendar of Events.(Calendar)
June 1, 2008... August 12-14--Ethanol Conference and Trade Show, Omaha, Neb. Hosted by American Coalition for Ethanol. Call (605) 334-3381 or visit www.ethanol.org. September 8-12--Cogeneration Technology Seminar, Madison, Wis. Hosted by...

Carbon: How improving energy efficiency can pay extra dividends.(Drying Files)
June 1, 2008... I'm back! I have been involved for the past few years in a huge development project making consumer products from industrial waste materials. The company is an environmental company, and through my exposure to the realities of the damage...

Signal conditioners revisited: the little hidden boxes that manipulate your process signals.(Heating Highlights)
June 1, 2008... Some little boxes, wired or attached to parts of your process, could be signal conditioners. They all have inputs and outputs and commonly perform some functions not being done by the main control system. They may have been added as new control...

Steam generator solutions: imaginative heat-management schemes cut processing costs of snacks, fruits and spices. Could your process benefit from such an approach?(BOILERS)
June 1, 2008... Legend has it that the renowned Greek mathematician and inventor Archimedes (287-212 BCE)--originator of the compound pulley and the hydraulic screw--used the sun's heat as a weapon of war in defending the Sicilian city of Syracuse from a Roman...

Reduce costs and improve emissions compliance: accurate, repeatable measurement of air and process gases with thermal mass flowmeters is key to improving accountability and energy-management processes.(FLOWMETERS)
June 1, 2008... Although manufacturers have made significant improvements in process heating efficiency, the U.S.'s total energy use for process heating is expected to increase. With overall thermal efficiency of process equipment varying from 15 to 80 percent...

Not just full of hot air: insight into the design of inline open-coil resistive air heaters will help potential users correctly utilize the components needed to get the optimal performance from their system.(Heaters)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Inline open-coil resistive air heaters satisfy a gamut of process heating applications, including parts curing, sterilization, drying, cutting, melting, heat staking and de-soldering. These heaters are suitable for...

Considering direct-contact steam injection? Knowing how direct-steam injection works, what equipment is needed and how to select and size a system can help with the choice.(Heaters)
June 1, 2008... When considering using direct-contact steam injection (DSI) for a process heating application, it is important to first understand the two basic techniques--direct and indirect transfer--used to transfer heat into fluids for process and utility...

The hot spot: put heat where you need it. Find the suppliers who can help you do it.(Equipment Overview: Convection and Conduction Heaters)(Cover story)
June 1, 2008... You also can conduct your supplier search online! www.process-heating.com Click on Equipment Overview, then on heaters HEATER CONFIGURATION Heaters Band (Round): Band...

Maximizing oxidizer efficiency: learn how an auxiliary catalytic assembly helped one processor extend oxidizer efficiency in light of rising fuel prices.(Oxidizers)
June 1, 2008... In the past several years, natural gas cost for an East Coast plant has increased from a typical value of $2.50 per million BTU to $10 per million BTU. Because the thermal oxidizer incineration temperatures must remain constant, fuel costs for...

Ethanol plant know-how: learn about using rotary drum dryers to dry and cool ethanol plant co-products.(Dryers for Ethanol)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Ethanol producers are under constant pressure to improve performance as the price of feedstocks and energy continues to increase. Traditional corn-based ethanol plants use fermentation to produce ethanol and carbon...

How to measure your heat load: the first step in selecting the proper cooling product for your application is to determine the heat load, or the amount of heat generated by your system.(Chillers)
June 1, 2008... A quick and dirty method of estimating heat load is to assume that all of the electrical energy entering a process is converted to heat. From the First Law of Thermodynamics, you know that the amount of energy exiting a system can never be...

Rubber heating tapes.(Product Highlights)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] With an adjustable thermostat control up to 425[degrees]F (218[degrees]C), HTWAT Series is designed for process temperature control, freeze protection and supplemental heat. The moisture- and chemical-resistant...

Bottom-flow conveyor oven.(Product Highlights)
June 1, 2008... Gas-fired oven was manufactured to preheat tubes ranging from 6 to 46' at 350[degrees]F (177[degrees]C) for the oil industry. The oven has a 47' by 12' by 9" chamber rated for 500[degrees]F (260[degrees]C) max. The unit is used to preheat the...

Milling flash dryer.(Product Highlights)
June 1, 2008... When a discrete and fine end-product is desired, processors can dry powders, slurries, and filter and centrifuge cakes with a small-footprint milling flash dryer. Units dry and deagglomerate in a single step, allow particle-to-particle...

Thermal fluid system.(Product Highlights)
June 1, 2008... The 10 million BTU/hr heater with circulating pump and 700-gal expansion tank can be mounted on a common skid with interconnecting piping, valves and strainer for a complete package. Because the only points of connection are the return and...

Heat gun alternative.(Product Highlights)
June 1, 2008... The bench-top Glo-Ring is suitable for heat shrinking, plastic tube bending, soldering, adhesive curing, solder pre-forms and butt welding. An alternative to a heat gun, it does not blow hot air and is simple to maintain. The product...

Temperature transmitter.(Product Highlights)
June 1, 2008... Series TTE is suitable for hazardous temperature measurement and has seven pre-programmed temperature ranges that are selectable via an internal dipswitch. For applications that require a custom range, the transmitter can be field configured...

Two-wire temperature transmitters.(Product Highlights)
June 1, 2008... Designed for rail mounting, Sitrans TR200 and TR300 do not require additional power supply when connected in the 4 to 20 mA loop. Model TR200 is configured using a PC and Model TR300 can be configured using a Hart interface. Both devices have a...

Mini-diaphragm seals.(Product Highlights)
June 1, 2008... Mini-seals can be used to isolate instrumentation from process media when high sensitivity is not required or space is limited. Applications include oil and gas as well as wastewater treatment. The compact size makes them suitable for use with...

Slurry knife-gate valve.(Product Highlights)
June 1, 2008... Series DX is designed for heavy slurry applications in the power and mining industries. When the slurry knife-gate valve opens, the reinforced elastomer sleeves seal against each other and provide a 100 percent full-port opening, minimizing...

VOC detectors.(Product Highlights)
June 1, 2008... MiniRAE 3000 and ppbRAE 3000 are used to measure where hydrocarbon-based chemicals pose a toxic threat. The third-generation photoionization detector (PID)-based instruments can be used for leak detection and industrial safety. The MiniRAE 3000...

Thermoelectric recirculating heater/chiller.(Product Highlights)
June 1, 2008... Pelti-Therm, a thermoelectric recirculating heater/chiller system, is suited for applications such as semiconductor and pharmaceutical, where temperature stability and reliability are critical. Features include high-temperature accuracy and...

Low-expansion epoxy.(Product Highlights)
June 1, 2008... Duralco 4463 resists electricity, chemicals and moisture and has good dimensional stability. The low-expansion, 500[degrees]F (260[degrees]C) epoxy is a user friendly, 100 percent solids system that is mixed, applied and cured at room...

Compact power analyzer.(Product Highlights)
June 1, 2008... Series EM26-96 provides both electrical-parameters analysis and control with harmonics included. The compact power analyzer offers MID compliance, three digital outputs and RS485 communication port, harmonic analysis up to the 15th harmonic and...

Drum heater.(Product Highlights)
June 1, 2008... Sahara Hot Can heats one 55-gal drum. Features include steel construction, thermostatic temperature control, wrap-around heating, casters to ease moving and placement, and a plug-in electrical cord. The temperature range is from 60 to...

Compact pressure transmitters.(Product Highlights)
June 1, 2008... As an alternative to network process transmitters when a digital protocol is not required, Models GC51 and GC52 offer an ultra-compact NEMA 4X/IP65 enclosure measuring 2.65" in diameter. The differential-pressure transmitters are constructed of...

Protective coating.(Product Highlights)
June 1, 2008... Corr-Paint CP2050 is used to protect steel components and structures in chemical processing and power generation plants for applications to 400[degrees]F (204[degrees]C). The two-part, 100 percent solids, corrosion-resistant system provides...

Safety case gauge.(Product Highlights)
June 1, 2008... With a solid front and blow-out back, the safety case gauge offers 0.5 percent ANSI/ ASME Grade 1A accuracy, full rotary movement and a micrometer pointer for calibration. The 4.5" dial makes the gauge easy to read from a distance. It is...

Thermal imaging camera.(Product Highlights)
June 1, 2008... Model HSI 1200 provides users with a real-time thermal image for quick fault detection combined with a center spot, noncontact temperature measurement function. A trigger-activated laser pointer ensures pinpoint identification of hot spots....

Turbopumps.(Product Highlights)
June 1, 2008... Available in pumping speeds that range from 10 to 700 liters/ sec, HiPace has a rotor design that reduces runup time and provides high-gas throughput and compression for light gases. The compact turbopumps are suitable for use in analytical...

Silicone hoses.(Product Highlights)
June 1, 2008... Platinum-cured silicone hoses are offered in seamless, flexible, convoluted or smoothbore designs that include an additional extruded silicone layer over the hose. The silicone layer protects the braided hose from contaminants and ensures safer...

High-temperature mechanical materials.(Product Highlights)
June 1, 2008... Grades M-199 and M-201 are designed to operate without lubrication in dry and dust-prone environments. The carbon/graphite copper-impregnated materials increase the load-carrying capacity for bearings and thrust washers made from these...

Hazardous-location sensors.(Product Highlights)
June 1, 2008... Assemblies are designed to extinguish flames inside the device and eliminate the potential for ignition of flammable mixtures in the surrounding atmosphere. The CSA- and FM-approved assemblies are intended for use in U.S. and Canadian hazardous...

Cabinet oven.(Product Highlights)
June 1, 2008... No. 923 offers an aluminized-steel exterior finished with white epoxy paint; No. 4 brushed-finish stainless steel door cover and control panel face; Type 304, 2B finish stainless steel interior with continuously back-welded seams; and 4"...

Eurotherm USA.(Places & Faces)
June 1, 2008... Steve Blomquist was named president of Eurotherm USA, Leesburg, Va. In his new role, he is responsible for Eurotherm business development in the North, Central and South American regions. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Williamson Corp.(Places & Faces)
June 1, 2008... Williamson Corp., Concord, Mass., released an eight-page Pro Series brochure focusing on noncontact temperature measurement systems. Products described include single-wavelength and dual-wavelength systems, two-wire transmitters and systems for...

Eclipse Inc.(Places & Faces)
June 1, 2008... As a part of its efforts to focus on the biofuels market, Rockford, Ill.-based Eclipse Inc. promoted John Stanley to global industry manager for biofuels. Stanley has more than 20 years experience in the industrial combustion field providing...

Knauf Insulation.(Places & Faces)
June 1, 2008... Knauf Insulation, Shelbyville, Ind., named Scott Miller to the newly created position of director of sustainability and product affairs.

Continental Fan Manufacturing Inc.(Places & Faces)
June 1, 2008... Patrick Handyside was named sales engineer for the OEM and industrial fan divisions of Continental Fan Manufacturing Inc., Buffalo, N.Y.

Pagny-sur-Moselle, France-based Carbone Lorraine has finalized its first acquisition in China by purchasing 100 percent of Xianda.(Places & Faces)
June 1, 2008... Pagny-sur-Moselle, France-based Carbone Lorraine has finalized its first acquisition in China by purchasing 100 percent of Xianda, a Chinese company specializing in the manufacture of advanced technology equipment in steel and stainless steel...

Wenger Manufacturing Inc.(Places & Faces)
June 1, 2008... Sabetha, Kansas-based Wenger Manufacturing Inc., established a Mediterranean regional division to market the company's extrusion-processing systems for the feed- and food-processing industries. Nigel Lindley will serve as regional manager of...

Hawk Measurement Systems.(Places & Faces)
June 1, 2008... Hawk Measurement Systems, Melbourne, Australia, a provider of level, positioning and flow measurement technology, formed a joint venture named Chongquin Hawk Chuan Yi Instrument Co. with Chongquin Sichuan Instrument Co. (CSI), reportedly the...

Garlock Sealing Technologies.(Places & Faces)
June 1, 2008... Garlock Sealing Technologies, Palmyra, N.Y., released a six-page brochure for its Sage Gylon gaskets for severe chemical services. For a copy of the brochure, send an e-mail to robert.ewanow@garlock.com.

Devcon.(Places & Faces)
June 1, 2008... Christopher Stevens was promoted to general manager of Devcon, Danvers, Mass., a manufacturer of adhesives and sealants for OEM assembly and products for plant and equipment maintenance, repair and overhaul. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

AMT--Association for Manufacturing Technology.(Places & Faces)
June 1, 2008... Robert K. Simpson was named president of AMT--The Association for Manufacturing Technology, McLean, Va., and was expected to join the association in early June and work in transition with John B. Byrd III, the current association president, who...