After some scheduling problems resulting in missing a monthly technical evening, the Vaal branch hosted SICK Automation to discuss ‘Dust and gas measurement principles’. Our presenter for the evening was the very knowledgeable Deon Lottering, sales engineer for process automation at SICK.
He started by looking at the regulatory requirements as stipulated by the National Emissions Management: Air Quality Act. The Act lays out the requirements relating to instrument certification, initial calibration at installation, periodic zero and span calibrations after installation, as well as yearly linearity and calibration checks. With the Eskoms and Sasols of the country all having to comply with the Act, it was important to talk about what is required.
Next, the different types of analysers were presented. A quick overview of and the differences between off-line, in-line and on-line were explained. Off-line means manually taking samples and analysing them in a laboratory. In-line takes its measurements directly in the process flow path, whereas on-line extracts a sample to be processed elsewhere.
A light source and detector are used for both gas and dust measurements. Different gases absorb light at different wavelengths, so for gas analysis the composition is determined by using a known light source spectrum and measuring the resultant spectrum after the light has passed through the gas. For dust measurement, the Beer-Lambert law of transmittance and absorbance is used to calculate the dust burden, based on the amount of light transmitted and received.
The branch committee thanks Deon Lottering and SICK Automation for a most informative presentation.
Knowledge Sharing 4 Industry event SAIMC
SAIMC
The last of SAIMC’s Knowledge Sharing 4 Industry (KS4I) events for 2025 will be held in September.
Read more...SAIMC: From the office of the COO: Enabling AI-ready manufacturing in South Africa SAIMC
SAIMC
Last month, I wrote about the ethical use of AI in our daily lives. This month, I want to explore two concepts, backed by different architectures and technologies, that can assist our manufacturing facilities to exponentially increase the pace of their digital transformation.
Read more...SAIMC: Johannesburg branch SAIMC
SAIMC
The SAIMC Johannesburg branch hosted its June Technology Evening at the Bryanston Sports Club, where attendees explored a topic beyond the usual scope of process automation.
Read more...SAIMC: Zambia branch
SAIMC
SAIMC Zambia recently facilitated an industrial visit to the Zamefa Cable Manufacturing Company in Luanshya for twenty automation students from Sinozam. The visit gave students valuable exposure to the advanced technology used in copper and aluminium cable production.
Read more...SAIMC: Durban branch SAIMC
SAIMC
The August technology meeting was jointly presented by Pusetso Sentle and Suvern Moodley on the subject of ‘Universal Automation: Open, Flexible and Vendor-Agnostic Industrial Control’, and drew a record attendance.
Read more...Digitise what matters and leverage
SAIMC
SAIMC has been invited to partner with technology leaders 4Sight and NextGenOpX for a one-day industry event aimed at unlocking the full value of OT investments in the mining sector.
Read more...SAIMC: From the office of the COO: Ethical and practical use of AI SAIMC
SAIMC
In this day and age, we all have access to AI tools. A lot of people claim that if you are not using AI tools in your daily job today you are falling behind. But would it be ethical to use AI tools to write an article per day and sign my name to it?
Read more...SAIMC: Durban branch SAIMC
SAIMC
The Durban branch of the SAIMC held its July technology meeting at the familiar Premier Splendid Hotel, drawing a strong turnout of industry professionals.
Read more...SAIMC: Johannesburg branch SAIMC
SAIMC
The SAIMC Johannesburg branch recently hosted the July Technology Evening at the Bryanston Sports Club.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version