• SCT AutoAdjust – It’s All About the Perfect Fit
• Wednesday, June 19, 2024
• 3 – 4 PM (CEST)

Register here

SCT AutoAdjust features high-precision hydraulic stator clamping that automatically adjusts at the touch of a button for consistent pumping performance and increased productivity. This innovative technology, accessible from control rooms or directly at the point of use via the SEEPEX Pump Monitor, ensures maximum performance and reliability while prioritizing operational safety. With its versatility, SCT AutoAdjust proves indispensable for critical applications across industries and media types.

Since its launch, SCT AutoAdjust has garnered attention for its innovative design and potential cost-saving benefits. Tobias Blumenhofer and Tobias Mänz, Global Product Managers SCT AutoAdjust, will lead the webinar and provide insight into how this intelligent pumping concept can streamline operations and reduce operating costs.

The post Save Time and Costs with SEEPEX: Webinar on SCT AutoAdjust – Revolutionizing Pump Efficiency appeared first on Fluid Handling Pro.

The SYGEF ECTFE piping system from GF Piping Systems has been developed to handle extreme chemical applications under high pressure and high temperatures. The excellent material resistance offers long-term safety in applications with highly concentrated chemicals such as sulphuric acid and hydrogen peroxide as well as other bases and oxidizing agents. Users benefit from a fast installation, long system life, and lower operating costs. GF Piping Systems ensures the reliability of ECTFE systems through the use of advanced infrared welding technology.

For applications involving hazardous media, the Swiss company will focus on the double containment piping system CONTAIN-IT Plus. Its compact and lightweight plastic components are corrosion-free and can be adapted to the needs of a specific application. As CONTAIN-IT Plus was developed according to the DVS 2210-2 guideline, the connection of the inner pipe can be verified before closing the outer pipe which increases the overall safety of the system.

When it comes to safety, reliability, and efficiency, process automation plays a major role. GF Piping Systems will therefore also display process automation solutions at ACHEMA 2024. The company offers a wide range of valves and actuation options, from pneumatic to digitally connected smart devices. Measurement and control technology allows customers to not only monitor and control their water treatment installations, but also to optimize processes and efficiency.

Joost Geginat, President of GF Piping Systems, is looking forward to visiting the ACHEMA 2024 and emphasizes the importance of this leading trade fair: “To meet the challenges of the modern chemical process industry, companies need innovative technologies to improve operational safety and overcome environmental problems. With our complete solutions, we enable our customers to operate their plants efficiently and secure a high water quality, in accordance with the specific requirements for applications such as water treatment or dosing and filling processes.”

The post GF Piping Systems at ACHEMA 2024: Solutions For High Eater Quality And Process Safety in the Chemical Industry appeared first on Fluid Handling Pro.

Based on flow rates and projections, its cartridge filtration has seen more than 350 billion liters of water filtered by UK water companies in the past year, ensuring a safe, clean and consistent supply to tens of millions of homes and businesses.

In recent weeks, the 39-year-old firm has highlighted how its ‘quick and able’ manufacturing of process filtration equipment can support customers’ sustainability, compliance and savings on capital expenditure.

In the days after the Devon parasite outbreak, a series of inquiries came in and engineers turned round two confirmed orders for skid rentals in the south of England including one they readied for emergency collection on a Sunday evening. A third order is awaiting confirmation.  

At the same time, a rental skid that had been in use and returned for refurbishment was purchased by a water company for permanent deployment.

As well as highlighting the benefits of good quality filtration to the water industry in the UK, experts from Amazon Filters reiterated the message to global customers when they exhibited at IFAT Munich, the world’s largest trade fair for environmental technologies.

On their stand was a specially-shipped ‘plug-and-play’ skid containing three housing vessels and 40 filter cartridges.

It became a major talking point for visitors to the exhibition booth keen to discuss potential applications in times of flood, drought and other emergencies and supply disruptions.

Since the show, held in mid-May, Amazon Filters has received multiple inquiries for cartridge filtration solutions from water companies in Germany and Austria which it is now following up.

Head of Marketing David Ridealgh, who was on the IFAT stand, said: “We’ve seen a marked rise in inquiries and orders since we reiterated our message to water companies here in the UK and elsewhere that we have a range of critical filtration solutions to support them that can go straight into action on site.”

Among products commonly used by water companies is Amazon Filters’ absolute-rated depth filter SupaSpun II.

This is officially approved for use in the UK public water supply under the Drinking Water Inspectorate’s Regulation 31. 

A sustainable polypropylene version of SupaSpun II has just been released and in March, after extensive testing, it gained KTW DVGW certification for safety in the gas and water sectors under German regulations by the standards body DVGW.  

The various product improvements and certifications comply fully with the recasting of the EU Water Directive (DWD) 98/83/EC and its new rules on cartridge filtration.

The directive revised down the previous indicator level of turbidity at the tap from <1NTU to <0.3NTU, something Amazon Filters had already achieved.

The post Process Filter Manufacturer Sees ‘Marked Rise’ in Water Industry Orders appeared first on Fluid Handling Pro.

Small Valves, Big Impact

Given that power plants can comprise hundreds of these components, flow control is a critical starting point for any plant manager looking to increase efficiency and uptime. These valves operate in a highly hazardous environment, handling high pressures, temperatures and erosive risks during daily operation. As such, resilience is expected as standard.

Yet as hardy as they are designed to be, both wear and tear and maintenance and replacement works are built into day-to-day plant operations. However, at a time when process costs are rising, any factor that increases the rate of deterioration must be identified and addressed. Most prominent among these is the issue of wet steam.

Otherwise known as flashing condensate, wet steam occurs when saturated steam and condensate water molecules combine. This is often the result of insufficient plant drain arrangements, incorrect bypass operation, improper valve calibration or inadequate pre-warming processes. Regardless of its origin, the effect of wet steam remains the same – the erosion of trim components used in critical service applications, hampering productivity.

Domino Effects

Flashing condensate can damage the component’s plug and seat sealing surfaces. This ensuing erosion is a significant cause of steam leakage. In turn, this sees rising downstream temperatures, with spray water valves operating at lower openings and water valve trims becoming eroded. Downstream pipe cracking occurs as a result.

Alongside physical damage, the consequences of steam leakage can include a loss of operator control – a potentially catastrophic situation in power plants reliant on unchanging conditions during production. Similarly, flashing condensate may lead to excessive noise and vibration that can increase energy loss and heat rate, further driving up consumption.

The shift of sustainability from a preference to a priority further underlines the impact of wet steam erosion across power plants. With some nations now obligated by law to hit net zero emissions within a certain timeframe, the issue of damaged valves, magnified at scale, may have an outsized effect on carbon footprints if not addressed quickly.

Taking Remedial Action

Remedial action for damaged components has often involved removing the valve’s cover and replacing its internal parts. Yet this puts the plant back at square one if underlying processing issues are not addressed. This fix is also expensive, as key plant machinery may have to be taken offline for repairs and maintenance.

The ensuing lost productivity and cost of replacing parts may actually be more expensive than keeping the initial, inefficient valve operational. Indeed, repeated at scale over an entire facility, single incidents like these can add up to significantly impacting the company’s bottom line. Accounting for the fact that major works to address these site problems – including adding drains to existing pipework – are also often ruled out due to costs and logistics concerns, more innovative strategies are required.

Minimising Sealing Surface Contact

One effective way of doing so is to ensure that any condensate has minimal contact with sealing surfaces. It is this thinking that led to the development of IMI Critical Engineering’s (IMI) EroSolve Wet Steam, which upgrades the valve’s plug-stem assembly, cage and seat ring. The solution’s use of specially engineered sealing surfaces and erosion-resistant hard-facing materials allows it to minimise the impact of wet steam droplets while enhancing trim life.

Crucially, this technology can be easily implemented in any make of control valve. While EroSolve Wet Steam’s wide-ranging applicability is a key strength – it can be implemented without changing the component’s body, bonnet or actuator – it is still highly recommended that facility managers work with suppliers to most effectively deploy the solution within the plant environment.

In fact, considering the increasing pressure on industry to do more with less, stakeholders should be leveraging supply chain expertise more than ever. Conversely, suppliers must be able to provide increasing levels of support, training and development to help unfamiliar maintenance and repair teams develop a deeper understanding of critical components, including valves.

For example, by deploying technical experts on-site such as IMI’s Valve Doctors to analyse ongoing operations, a more granular, tailored approach to maintenance can be established. Ultimately, more effective troubleshooting can result in greater insight into how to alleviate issues such as condensate flashing.

Simple Solutions to Complex Problems

Most traditional solutions to the problems posed by wet steam do not provide any added long lasting benefits, as erosion will remain a constant, cyclical concern if the true cause is not properly addressed. Additionally, fully replacing valves within a demanding production environment poses its own problems, with the downtime required often proving more expensive than the hardware itself.

The difficulties and costs posed by this strategy make inaction too risky for most to consider. Welding the valves inline also creates similar problems, as there are substantial additional costs incurred through the engineering, scheduling, cutting and re-welding process, as well as during post-weld inspection. However, replacing the trim with an innovative solution, such as EroSolve Wet Steam can delay degradation and extend valve lifetimes in conditions where erosive wet steam is common.

For more information on EroSolve Wet Steam, click here.

The post Managing Wet Steam to Maximise Plant Uptime appeared first on Fluid Handling Pro.

The proven design of the Capanivo^® has been significantly improved.  As a result, the CN 7120 point level sensor from UWT meets the standards of the EHEDG (European Hygienic Engineering & Design Group). This approval authorises the sensor for use in hygiene-relevant applications such as pharmaceuticals, the food industry and other sectors that demand the highest standards of cleanliness and safety in their processes. The CN7 can be used as a full, demand or empty detector in containers, pipes or bypasses as well as for leakage detection in all liquids.

Ensuring hygiene standards

The EHEDG specifies basic requirements for manufacturers of food and pharmaceuticals to ensure clean and contamination-free design of equipment and production facilities. This includes protection against contamination by dirt, chemical substances, viruses, foreign bodies and toxins. This is achieved with UWT sensors through the use of food-safe materials, as well as the integration of high-quality surfaces and gap-free designs of the sensor arms that come into contact with the product. The EHEDG conformity of the UWT level sensors offers additional safety in industries that require sensitive production environments. This EHEDG version of the Capanivo^® level indicator opens up possibilities for optimising processes while taking the highest hygiene standards into account.

Insight into EHEDG-certified revision

With the redesign of the Capanivo^®, a further version of the capacitive point level indicator is now available. The EHEDG version differs fundamentally from the standard version.  

In order to comply with the EHEDG guidelines, the contour of the process connection and the flush-to-wall weld-in socket, both made of stainless steel, were optimised.

The probe is made of the high-performance plastic PEEK, which is ideal for food processing, production and biotechnological applications due to its chemical stability and thermal safety. The material is also ideal for CIP (clean-in-place) and SIP (sterilisation-in-place) cleaning and sterilisation processes up to 150°C / 302°F.  

EHEDG certification guarantees compliance with the strictest hygiene regulations, a decisive factor in ensuring consistent product quality and safety.

Versatile mounting options for a wide range of applications

The CN 7 capacitive sensor is characterised by its compact design with 1/2″ process connection, which makes it ideal for use in small containers and pipes Its versatility is highlighted by the different installation options: it can be installed vertically as a full detector, horizontally as a demand detector, or from below as an empty detector.  This flexibility allows the sensor to be used in a variety of installation environments, including tanks, pipes in both horizontal and vertical orientations, as well as in bypass configurations, supporting precise measurements across a wide range of applications.

Explosion protection

The Capanivo^® is not only known for its hygienic design, but also for its safety in potentially explosive atmospheres. With approvals such as ATEX, IEC-Ex, INMETRO and UKEX, the sensor can be used globally in environments that must fulfil strict safety requirements. These certifications guarantee that it functions reliably and safely even under the most difficult conditions.

Communication and process efficiency

Another outstanding feature of the CN 7 is the IO-Link signal output, a globally standardised technology that enables simple and efficient communication between the sensor and higher-level control systems.

The potted electronics within the sensor probe protect against shocks and environmental influences, thereby improving measurement accuracy and extending the detector’s lifespan. Additionally, the sensitivity can be adjusted via a potentiometer directly on the sensor. This capability for seamless integration into modern automation systems facilitates process monitoring and control, enhances operational efficiency, and reduces maintenance costs.

The integrated “Tip Sensitivity” also guarantees that the sensor reacts highly sensitively to the smallest changes, while the “Active Shield” actively protects the sensor from interference, which ensures a high level of functional reliability even with products that could cause caking or adhesions on the probe.

Game changer in the field of capacitive point level measurement

Overall, the capacitive level sensor of the Capanivo^® series from UWT is an outstanding solution for companies that require reliable, safe and hygienic level monitoring in their production facilities. The combination of advanced technology, comprehensive approvals and certifications as well as versatile application possibilities makes the CN 7120 a valuable tool in the modern process industry.

The post UWT’s Capacitive Level Sensor for the Highest Hygiene Level appeared first on Fluid Handling Pro.

In the process industry, pumping demands are particularly high. The pump must be able to withstand high temperatures and pressures as well as corrosive and abrasive attacks by the pumped media. Multiphase mixtures in particular – i.e. liquids with solids and gases – push standard pumps to their limits. Click here for more information about the reactor pumps of EGGER.

Egger has been active in this industrial environment since 1947. Our engineers have the technical expertise to provide you with customized advice. With our manufacturing program for single-stage centrifugal pumps optimized for multiphase mixtures, we offer you a portfolio of pumps that:

• can work without clogging
• transport sensitive solids very gently
• are highly wear-resistant
• help optimise your filtration results
• circulate loop reactors with up to 25% gas by volume at 300°C and 100 bar system pressure
• dispose of your wastewater pits or slop tanks very reliably.
• For further information on Egger solutions in the chemical industry, please click here

The Egger exhibition team is looking forward to your visit.

The post EGGER to Exhibit at ACHEMA 2024 in Frankfurt, Germany appeared first on Fluid Handling Pro.

The new CIP package is a highly versatile and easy-to-maintain clean-in-place solution, designed with mobility and hygiene at the forefront of its design. Fully customizable with options ranging from manual to automatic, the system can be adapted to include an integrated control unit via a panel-mounted touchscreen HMI and PLC. With remote monitoring and ongoing technical support available if required, the system can be programmed to record historic data, accessible on site by an operator, or remotely by one of Axium’s own engineers.

Developed with decades of hands-on experience across multiple process applications, Axium’s new Mobile CIP System offers an advanced alternative for sanitary maintenance.

The post Established Knowledge Drives Success In Challenging Cleaning Environments appeared first on Fluid Handling Pro.

“The enhanced features of the Generation IV will make our DFplus valves market leaders not only in terms of dynamics and flow. They now also offer the easiest way to enter Industry 4.0 without high investments and without changing the machine control strategy”, says Frank Henschke, Product Manager Proportional Valves at Parker’s Industrial Systems Division Europe.

There are more innovations that provide added value. One of these new features is an integrated near-field communication (NFC) chip that allows users to obtain all status information in the field or in service situations – even when the valve is not actively powered. A 360° LED at the top of the electronics box ensures that the basic status data is immediately visible in the application by different colors or flashing frequencies. Parker’s ProPxD parameterizing software has been fundamentally revised along with an improved oscilloscope function, permitting adjustment to the application-specific parameters quickly and easily.

The new electronics are perfectly complemented by the mechanical characteristics of the DFplus^®valves. The unique VCD with its highest resolution integrated linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) provides elevated force drive without the need of strong active return springs, resulting in real servo valve performance. Together with the high robustness, which has been proven by vibration tests with up to 60 g and 10 billion endurance test cycles, the valves have already demonstrated their suitability for numerous demanding applications.

With the innovations of DFplus Generation IV, Parker is ideally positioned for working with engineers facing the challenges of the future in industrial hydraulics, in particular the increasing digitalization of processes. The valves are also suitable as a 1:1 replacement for DFplus Generation III valves in existing applications.

The post Parker introduces DFplus®Generation IV Proportional Valves For Demanding Industrial Applications appeared first on Fluid Handling Pro.

A visit to the plant revealed the company was using an I-to-P transducer, steam valve, RTD (resistance temperature sensor), and PID (proportional-integral-derivative) loop to control the temperature. The issue arose out of a regular failure of the I-to-P transducer. 

While the failing I-to-P is what caught the customer’s attention, the complicated, expensive and inefficient control valve setup isn’t necessary to control the temperature of saturated steam. The temperature of saturated steam is directly related to its pressure. It’s a predictable and repeatable relationship.

The I-to-P was ultimately replaced with a Proportion Air QB1X, a product better able to withstand standard industrial air. I-to-Ps require instrument air, which is filtered to less than 5 microns and is moisture- and lube-free. A Burling Valve BD4 dome-loaded pressure reducing regulator took the place of the steam valve. This assembly was installed and subsequently performed extremely well, saving the customer time and money.

Benefits of Using the QB and Saturated Steam Regulator

There are many benefits to using a Proportion-Air saturated steam regulator system, especially when compared to the operation of traditional steam valves. 

Achieving and maintaining the correct temperature quickly is a priority for many applications. Since the manufacturer did not require the ultra-high accuracy of the QB2X, which can achieve ±0.5% of full-scale accuracy with external pressure feedback, a QB1X was used. QB1X on a steam regulator has +/4% accuracy. Regardless of whether the QB1X or QB2X was selected, the control loop did not have to work as hard, because the saturated steam regulator could compensate for changes in flow while maintaining pressure on its own, without the assistance of sophisticated electronic controls. An on-board analog comparator through the electronic pilot means no PID tuning is required.

Contrast that with a steam valve, which has no direct connection to pressure downstream and cannot connect for downstream changes without a PID loop closing the loop around pressure (or temperature). The temperature is also less accurate, because the link between flow and temperature is not directly related. The PID will constantly overshoot and undershoot setpoint, trying to compensate for pressure/temperature changes downstream. With a saturated steam regulator assembly, temperature is achieved more quickly and remains accurate and stable. 

Maintenance is also an issue in any facility. The Burling Valve regulator offers easy in-line repairs and maintenance. The reduces the downtime necessary when a regulator needs work.

The post Full Steam Ahead – Faster and More Accurately appeared first on Fluid Handling Pro.

Recently, a system integrator approached Bürkert to supply a valve for a water conductivity blending application, with the objective of achieving water quality with a conductivity level of 10µS (microsiemens). Their process design schematic included a ball valve that would isolate the flow of softened water, while a control valve would modulate the flow of deionized water. By controlling this media combination, once blended, the customer’s expected outcome was water production at the desired conductivity level. With this plan, the system integrator requested a control valve that would regulate the deionized water flow. 

To calculate the size of control valve required, it is important to understand the required flow rate and pressure. The integrator suggested that upstream pressure was 4 bar, with 3 bar pressure downstream. Moreover, they suggested a total flow rate of 1.5 m^3//h. Even at this stage, Bürkert suggested a review of this input data because the suggested flow rate appeared to be inaccurate. Furthermore, using the pressure and flow data, the calculation generated a requirement for a 1” diameter valve, which would likely be too large for this application. However, the integrator was satisfied with the validity of their initial input data, and they confirmed the resulting valve specification, supported by the fact that they had used this size of valve on a similar project with the same input data. 

Oversized valve specification

The Bürkert team remained unconvinced and they sought wider input data to help confirm the specification. The integrator reported that when installed, the previous valve project would operate at 10 to 20% of its total capacity. However, the reverse situation should ideally apply, sizing a valve to operate at 70%-90% of its capacity would enable the use of a smaller, more cost-effective valve, that could also achieve more efficient operation. 

Burkert decided to recalculate the valve size, based on optimising 80% capacity. This time, to ensure a comprehensive approach, the input data was reconfirmed. With a reading from the system’s pump, the upstream pressure was confirmed. Thanks to an installed flow meter, the flow reading was also verified. Using these input data, it was possible to work backwards and determine the actual downstream pressure. 

This highlighted that the downstream pressure was significantly less than the figure initially provided. Instead of the suggested 3 bar, the new calculation was just 0.1 bar. Based on this new data, it was realised that the customer’s desired, repeatable, and controllable flow range could not be achieved. 

Optimising control accuracy 

On further investigation, the customer revealed that an open tank was positioned downstream of this system, which both explained and confirmed the almost 0 bar downstream pressure reading. As a result, the customer agreed to resize the valve, sufficient to handle a difference from 4 bar upstream pressure down to 0 bar downstream. 

By this stage, the system integrator was working more closely with Burkert, and as a result, were also able to challenge a fundamental assumption about the system’s design. Although the conductivity value of the deionized water was very low, at 0.5 µS, the value of the softened water was very high, around 600 µS.

Without modulating the softened water flow, the resulting conductivity level after blending the media would be far higher than the objective of 10 µS. Bürkert advised that instead of regulating the flow of deionised water, by controlling the softened water, the desired conductivity level could be reached. 

Get it right first time

Switching the position of the control valve and resizing it accordingly enabled the integrator’s system to achieve the low, 10 µS water conductivity rating for their customer. Without assistance in making the correct calculation, the customer would have integrated a much larger – and much more expensive – control valve. Most significantly, the system would have been far less likely to have produced the desired quality of water. Had the system designer engaged with valve sizing and application expertise at the outset, they would also have avoided rework in design, instead achieving a faster time to market. 

Although this example demonstrates specific implications of incorrect specification, the same principles apply for any application that requires control valve modulation. The fundamental calculations to ensure correct control valve sizing are essential whatever the purpose and sector, from food & beverage, to pharmaceutical and life sciences. 

A crucial aspect for optimum sizing of control valves is achieving valid application input data. If the input application data is incorrect, or incomplete, then the type, position, and size of the control valve will be sub-optimal. While specifiers can make mistakes in calculations, valve specification errors can also have historic origins. If the original system wasn’t designed according to the right data, like-for-like replacement will also be sub-optimal. As technology has advanced, valves today are frequently more accurate, impacting open and close rates, and this means that smaller, less expensive valves can potentially be used instead. So, even when upgrading an existing system, the best practice is to recalculate control valve sizing each time.

Valve sizing

Bürkert’s process valve sizing tool, comprising control valve selection, helps designers and specifiers configure the right specification through a sequential set of application criteria. This tool helps to make control valve selection fast and simple, however, it’s imperative to remember that valve specification depends on valid input data.

Moreover, when used in an application like conductivity blending, Bürkert has additional internal tools to determine whether a complete system could achieve the desired outcome.

The surest way to achieve optimised valve specification, first time, is to involve a flow control specialist as early as possible in the process. Sharing access to details on the wider application enables an experienced valve provider to make an accurate specification based on all of the relevant criteria. This process might involve challenging the input data, but in so doing, a more effective outcome can be achieved. 

The post Optimising Control Valve Specification by Challenging the Input Data appeared first on Fluid Handling Pro.