February 2011Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
The engine on a passenger jet exploding and disintegrating during flight is certainly not an everyday occurrence that pilots are trained to cope with on the flight deck. But it did happen on a Qantas Airbus A380 last year, blasting one of the wings full of shrapnel holes in the process. The two hour cockpit drama that ensued is a testament to human ingenuity and a reminder that things can go desperately wrong on even the most sophisticated of redundant system designs.
Engine pieces sliced through electric cables and hydraulic lines puncturing the wing’s two fuel tanks and structurally damaging the main spar. As fuel leaked out, an imbalance was created between the left and right hand sides of the plane. This was compounded as the craft became tail heavy due to the loss of electrical power that made fuel dumping from the rear tanks impossible. Experts believe this probably posed the biggest risk. If the aircraft got too far out of balance it would lose lift, stall and crash. Alarm bells rang.
According to reports the crew was faced with 54 computer messages alerting them to system failures and warning of impending disaster. All of these would have to be prioritised and managed if the plane along with its 450 passengers were to be saved. For some of the problems there were not even operating procedures, it was never envisaged that so many things could go wrong at once. Fortunately, fate determined that there were five pilots on board that day with over 100 years of flying experience between them. One concentrated on handling the controls and keeping the aircraft stable, the others worked flat out to manage the alarms and implement the appropriate reactionary responses. It took almost two hours until the situation was eventually brought under control, the extent of the damage determined and the flight status of the plane restored.
It was human skill and creativity that rescued the Airbus that day, its computers and back-up systems simply did not have the power to cope with so many malfunctions simultaneously. They were not programmed with 100 years of flying experience. What a reminder that the days of the human operator may not all be under threat from future generations of intelligent robots – at least not until they can be programmed to learn by experience.
Speaking of robots, we have some interesting articles on the subject in this issue. Jim Pinto predicts that a future confluence of technology will evolve development to levels where human beings interact socially with their very own personal robots. Closer to home SAI&C deputy editor, Kim Roberts, attended a robotic symposium at the CSIR and reports that there is some cutting-edge research on the go. One of the projects aims to develop an autonomous system capable of navigating underground through the stopes on a mine. The idea is to reduce the number of injuries due to rock falls by using a robot to evaluate the condition of the hanging walls prior to any miners being deployed in an area. (See 'Mining robots can save lives')
In closure a quick note of thanks to Kim and managing editor Graeme Bell for kindly standing in recently while I took my annual holiday. The production team has done their usual fantastic job this month – I hope you enjoy the read.
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.
Read more...The art of precision measurement
Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
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.
Read more...Vibration test system supports international space industry TANDM Technologies
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...Sensor technology for brewing Endress+Hauser South Africa
Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
Brewing is a delicate balance, blending tradition with innovation. Now, modern sensor technology is stepping in to perfect the art of fermentation.
Read more...Loesche gets dirty Loesche South Africa
Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
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
Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
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.
Read more...Keeping an eye on invisible radiation Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
At its peak in 1994, the energy generation capacity of the UK’s nuclear power stations was 12,7 GW across 16 plants. In 2024, the capacity has fallen to around 5 GW, and the number of stations is down to nine. However, this is far from the end of the story as spent nuclear fuel remains radioactive for centuries, and requires rigorous safety processes to safeguard against leaks.
Read more...Technology for water sustainability Endress+Hauser South Africa
Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
The sustainability of surface water is critical for South Africa’s economic development, social well-being and environmental health. Endress+Hauser has a full range of liquid analysis sensors and transmitters to measure important parameters and has an excellent global track record in water and wastewater process plants and various surface and industrial water monitoring sites.
Read more...Reducing water consumption in the cement industry Loesche South Africa
Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
Water is a finite and irreplaceable resource, fundamental to life on earth. LOESCHE’s vision is to enable its customers to produce high-quality cement, without any water consumption.
Read more...Ensuring occupational health and safety in mining
Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
Probe Integrated Mining Technologies (Probe IMT) has partnered with M3SH Technology to offer state-of-the-art environmental monitoring solutions that address these dual requirements.
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