December 2014Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
Products in the chemical industry can be divided into base chemicals, specialty chemicals and intermediate and finished products. These are used in the consumer goods sector, manufacturing industries as well in other sectors like agriculture. Today’s industrial chemical production can, in part, be traced back to the beginnings of industrial production in Europe in the 19th century. The main focus was, and still is:
• Fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides.
• Dyes and pigments.
• Synthetic fibres for low-cost textiles.
• Medicines.
Chemical reactions take place in continuous processes or batch procedures with substances being treated both mechanically and thermally. Furthermore, all substances must be conveyed on the factory premises and beyond. At all of these points, it is necessary to check material properties. In addition to the physical parameters of pressure, temperature or mass flow, the parameters for liquid analysis are also recorded – among others, the pH value, conductivity and dissolved oxygen. All measured values are required for optimum process management, therefore systems that work precisely and in a timely manner enable facility operators to minimise the use of energy and materials and, at the same time, to maximise the volume and quality of products.
Process analytics for optimum production
Since the economic crisis in 2009, many chemical facilities are once again running at full capacity. Process analytics, as a part of production and automation engineering, procures all of the information that is required to manage the processes optimally and efficiently. The online analytics required for inspection must therefore deliver absolutely reliable measurement values. In fine chemicals, it makes a difference whether the processes are batch or continuous because the requirements differ for each of these:
• Batch processes: individual reaction steps are optimised and the end quality is determined without long waiting times.
• Continuous processes: process management builds on the results from the process analytics and, at the same time, several process steps are optimised – e.g. yields, by-product formation, volume of energy and raw material.
Top performance only with the highest level of safety
Process optimisation often involves increasing the yield, for example by pushing chemical reactions closer to the limit. A typical example is partial gas phase reactions that are only properly effective with the optimum oxygen content i.e. as close as possible to the explosion limit. To ensure that the facility can be operated safely, the analysis technology that is used must be reliable, precise and failsafe. It must be assessed in accordance with the SIL classification.
Memosens for optimal applications in the chemical industry
• Allows important process data to be saved directly in the sensor.
• Interference-free measuring signals.
• No metal contacts eliminate failures due to corrosion salt bridges and moisture.
• Easy process measuring technology.
• Teamed with all common fieldbus types.
• Memosens systems are suitable for all process control and asset management systems.
Analysers for use in high ambient temperature environments
Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
The 993X series of analysers from Ametek Process Industries are now IECEx Zone 2 certified for use in locations with up to 60°C ambient temperature. Built with IP66-rated enclosures and using an integrated cooling system, they can be installed outdoors or in minimally temperature-controlled enclosures, reducing complexity while lowering capital and operating costs.
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By combining its innovative product portfolio with a deep application and industry knowledge, Endress+Hauser enables its customers to optimise their processes, boost productivity, and ensure their safety and environmental compliance.
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To achieve precise, reliable measurement results when scanning component parts, use is frequently made of reference points. In optical measuring processes, these permit the referencing of three-dimensional objects during the digitisation.
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Endress+Hauser South Africa was joined on its stand at Electra Mining Africa by valued customers, representatives, colleagues and industry friends for a spectacular cake cutting ceremony to celebrate 40 marvellous years in southern Africa.
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Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
Dragonfly Aerospace has launched EOS SAT-1, one of seven satellites in the world’s first agricultural-focused constellation. With optimisation of resources being a key component for Dragonfly, it called on TANDM to assist in creating and heavily expanding its environmental testing capabilities by providing a vibration test system that allowed it to perform in-house vibration and shock testing.
Read more...Endress+Hauser celebrates 40 years Endress+Hauser South Africa
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Endress+Hauser South Africa was joined on its stand at Electra Mining Africa by valued customers, representatives, colleagues and industry friends for a spectacular cake-cutting ceremony to celebrate 40 marvellous years in southern Africa.
Read more...Process technology: SICK and Endress+Hauser sign strategic partnership Endress+Hauser South Africa
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German sensor company SICK and the Swiss measurement and automation technology specialist Endress+Hauser have agreed on a strategic partnership. Endress+Hauser will take over worldwide sales and service of SICK’s process analysis and gas flow measurement technology, with a joint venture to be established for their production and further development.
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Brewing is a delicate balance, blending tradition with innovation. Now, modern sensor technology is stepping in to perfect the art of fermentation.
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The world’s attention is on environmental sustainability, and the pressure on countries and companies to demonstrate their commitment to preserving the environment and preventing climate change is at an all-time high. As we confront a multitude of environmental and social challenges, managing waste and maximising landfill diversion can play a key role.
Read more...Water systems with energy savings and sustainability Labotec
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ELGA Veolia has relaunched its award-winning PURELAB flex range, with features to reduce the system’s environmental footprint and incorporate some of the latest innovations in water purification technologies. The ecological improvements integrated into the flex range have been made to reduce water and power consumption.
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