The microwave barrier VEGA‘MIP’ (Microwave Impulse Point-level) is especially designed for the needs of the bulk handling industries. It can be applied to bulk solids or liquid level detection, in plastic vessels for example, or object detection – such as vehicle positioning/warning and oversize/height alarms on conveyors etc. As this is a non-contact measurement, VEGAMIP 61 has no direct contact with the medium, providing reliability for abrasive, aggressive or high temperature applications. In the case of metallic or conductive vessels, VEGAMIP can measure from the outside through a non conductive microwave permeable window, e.g. in ceramic, glass or plastic materials.
VEGAMIP consists of a transmitter VEGAMIP T61and one or several R61 receivers for wider areas. The adjustable sensitivity receiver measures the attenuation of the microwave signal and outputs a relay switch. It has a very wide dynamic range, borne from the pedigree of over 250,000 microwave level devices sold world wide. The wide sensitivity range adds to reliability, especially when operating conditions are difficult, which means it still operates consistently with dirt, dust or build up. Operating ranges are up to 100m.
VEGAMIP can be used as a maximum or minimum sensor, switching delays can be set between 0.1 and 20 s. VEGAMIP is fully integrated into VEGA’s plics® modular system. This means there are a range of plastic, aluminium or stainless steel housings, as well as different antenna systems and process fittings available, allowing configuration of the sensor precisely to specific user requirements.
Avago Technologies announced two new miniature voltage/current threshold detection optocouplers for use in a wide range of industrial control applications. The ACPL-K370/K376 optocouplers are designed to detect AC/DC sources and convert the voltage to a logic interface across an optical coupling barrier to provide safe isolation in electronically noisy environments found in industrial applications. These voltage/current sensing optocouplers are ideal for use in applications such as limit switch sensors, low voltage detectors, relay contact monitors, relay coil voltage monitors, and current sensors.
The new ACPL-K370/K376 series, which are an upgrade from Avago’s HCPL-0370/3700/3760 optocoupler family, utilizes threshold sensing input buffer ICs which permit control of threshold levels over a wide range of input voltages up to 1140 Vpeak, with a single external resistor. Some of the key benefits provided by this new optocoupler series include a smaller stretched SO-8 (SSO-8) package which meets 8mm clearance and creepage requirements, and requires 30 percent less printed circuit board space compared to dual-inline packages (DIP-8). Additionally, the input buffer of these optocouplers offer several key features to enhance threshold sensing such as hysteresis for extra noise and switching immunity, a diode bridge for easy use with AC input signals, and internal clamping diodes to protect the buffer and light emitting diode (LED) from a wide range of over-voltage and over-current transients.
With the addition of the ACPL-K370/K376 series, Avago can offer another SSO-8 package option in addition to existing DIP packages to provide customers with more optocoupler options for higher voltage industrial applications. The ACPL-K376 is a low-current version of the ACPL-K370. To obtain lower current operation, the ACPL-K376 uses a high-efficiency aluminum gallium arsenide (AIGaAs) LED which provides higher light output at lower drive currents.
Being able to accurately measure the presence of gases is crucial to the success of any process. The latest monitoring technologies are particularly focused on hydrogen, oxygen, carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide.The presence of other gases is an important requirement in many process industries for both process optimisation and for safety. These measurements are difficult or costly to perform, however. Now instrumentation specialist Quantitech is launching a new technology from the USA that resolves the issues concerning hydrogen.
Commenting on the market for hydrogen sensing, Quantitech sales director Dominic Duggan says: “Hydrogen monitoring does not take place in many applications because of the problems or costs associated with the available technologies, for example lack of specificity. However, the new sensors from H2scan resolve these issues offering significant advantages in process control and safety management.”
US company H2scan has developed inline, solid-state palladium-nickel based sensors that are highly selective to hydrogen, do not require oxygen to operate, and can detect hydrogen in concentrations from a few ppm to 100%.
Hydrogen has the potential to be an important source of clean fuel in our energy-driven economy. The use of hydrogen is widespread in both traditional applications, such as petroleum refineries, and growing rapidly in newer sectors such as fuel cells and power generation.
Based on recent market reports, global hydrogen consumption has grown from 21 million metric tons (MMT) in 2005 to more than 32 MMT 2007. Global hydrogen usage is expected to surpass 50 MMT by 2012 and is expected to exceed 79 MMT by 2016.
Currently, over 90 % of all hydrogen produced is used in the petroleum refining industry, where continuous monitoring of hydrogen is highly desired to improve both the quality and yield of hydrocarbon-based fuels. Because of hydrogen’s combustible and explosive properties, accurate leak detection is also important for safe hydrogen transport, storage, and use.
In certain industrial applications – such as hydrogenating cooking oil and hydro-treating petroleum crude into heating oil, gasoline, and diesel and jet fuels – it is critical to quantify the absolute concentration (partial pressure) of hydrogen in process operations to ensure process safety and operational efficiency. A typical refinery application for an inline hydrogen sensor is to measure the total hydrogen content in a mixed gas matrix (a mixture of hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide, hydrogen and other gases) as a function of time. The H2scan inline process hydrogen sensor allows direct point-of-use analysis of hydrogen concentration from 50 % to 100 %v/v.
Hydrogen producers are also interested in accurate sensing as a key part of hydrogen management. For instance, within the pharmaceutical industry, multiphase hydrogenation reactions involving solid catalysts play a critical role. Accurate hydrogen monitoring is also needed in hydrotreating and in hydrogenation processes in hydrogen production facilities.
Hydrogen sensors can now be applied to current and future gas- or liquid-filled pipelines, offering safety improvements with a hydrogen-specific sensor that can be wrapped around pipeline joints and valves to detect the first level of leakage, or additional sensors can be employed to quantify the hydrogen content of natural gas within the pipeline.
The applications for hydrogen-specific sensors have increased markedly as a result of the new technology and because accurate hydrogen monitoring is a key component of several emerging areas of the hydrogen-driven energy economy.
Complete gas analysis
Chematur Engineering of Sweden has selected Servomex and channel partner OmniProcess to supply a complete gas analysis monitoring system to a new toluene di-isocyanate (TDI) plant currently under construction in Dahej, India. The 50000t/y plant is being built on behalf of Indian chemical manufacturer GNFC.
The new system will help control the process and monitor the quality of output in the manufacturer of TDI, a key isocyanate used in the manufacture of polyurethane and used for a variety of applications including flexible foams used in furnishings and the motor industry.
Servomex will supply a range of its world-leading gas analysers to fulfil the complex requirements of TDI monitoring, including 15 SERVOTOUGH SpectraExact (2500) process gas analysers, two SERVOPRO 4210 gas purity analysers, one SERVOTOUGH OxyExact (2200) paramagnetic oxygen analyser and three k1550 katharometer-based analysers.
Designed, manufactured and tested in configurations specific to the required measurement and background stream, the SERVOTOUGH SpectraExact is a photometric process analyser that offers single or dual component gas analysis to suit virtually any process, combustion or emissions gas analysis application, making it ideal for several TDI measurement processes including monitoring the off-gases from mixing chlorine with carbon monoxide to make phosgene and monitoring for both carbon monoxide and chlorine in phosgene.
Control of residual oxygen concentration in pure carbon monoxide in the range 0-0.5 % will be made by the SERVOTOUGH OxyExact 2200, with a measurement precision made possible by Servomex’s paramagnetic cell technology that enables an oxygen measurement that is totally unaffected by other gases in the monitor stream. The SERVOPRO 4210 gas purity analysers will monitor the level of specific impurities in pure hydrogen and pure carbon monoxide respectively, with one unit monitoring a pure hydrogen stream for trace carbon monoxide and other 4210-based system monitoring for the presence of methane in carbon monoxide. Finally three k1550 katharometer analysers will monitor the hydrogen purity and the quality of carbon monoxide supply to the TDI process by checking the level of residual hydrogen remains between 0 and 1 %.
Each Servomex gas analyser will be installed in its own cubicle with an appropriate sampling system and all necessary pipework, ready for connection in the appropriate area of the plant.
In addition to Servomex’s experience in offering reliable and accurate process analysers suitable for different and tough applications, Chematur selected Servomex on proven experience in the design and build of TDI analyser systems, as well as the ability to provide industry-best levels of service and support to the project.
“TDI production is by its nature a complex process, so Servomex is delighted to have been selected once again by Chematur to supply this gas analyser system through OmniProcess AB,” says Servomex md Chris Cottrell. “We have been chosen not simply on the acknowledged quality of our instruments, but in our ability to deliver a complete gas analysis solution that ranges from the design and build of the system to providing ‘local-for-local’ service and support in India.”
The TDI plant is scheduled for completion in September 2010.
Hydrogen cyanide
Three Honeycat air pollution control systems designed for the abatement of hydrogen cyanide gas from the reduction process of a carbon fibre manufacturing plant have been installed by UK air pollution control specialist AirProtekt. The Honeycat systems comprise a compact skid-mounted oxidiser designed to comply with the environmental emission limits demanded by the carbon fibre plant’s local regulatory authorities and minimise on-site installation time.
“The textile processing project required an air pollution control system that was very much proven on this process. The solution AirProtekt opted to use has proved effective for over 30 years in various applications worldwide. The air pollution control system featured gas tight sealing to prevent localised emissions of toxic hydrogen cyanide gas. Mindful of the local people living in nearby residential properties the system needed to be both highly effective at capturing and treating the hydrogen cyanide emissions as well as being very quiet in operation to avoid noise pollution,” explained Trevor Lawton, AirProtekt’s md.
A very low maintenance solution, the electrically pre-heated abatement system is designed to be capable of running at low catalyst operating temperatures which helps to minimise running costs, thermal stress and ensures a long operating life.
“The project’s consultant recommended our equipment to the end-customer because he had been impressed with AirProtekt’s proven track record in working with catalyst technology used on similar process applications around the world,” said Lawton
The Micropulse SF fill level sensor provides continuous, absolute fill-level measurement in applications that require adherence to the strictest standards of hygiene and cleanliness. Sensors in a sanitary manufacturing facility must be cost effective, have minimum impact upon production, and must not negatively impact the cleanliness or quality of the foods (or products) being manufactured. Made from corrosion-free stainless steel with rounded edges and minimal crevices, the Micropulse SF meets the highest international hygiene standards and fulfills strict food industry requirements. Certified to 3-A and EHEDG sanitary standards, the sensor is 100% stainless steel to ensure top sanitation standards and long-term service life.
Benefits include:
Chemically neutral for all liquids
Compensates for surface foam to deliver reliable, accurate fill level values
Adjustment-free installation
Easy to clean in installed state (CIP – Clean in Place)
Withstands process temperatures up to 130°C (SIP – Sterilization in Place)
Standard analog interface ensures wide controller compatibility and flexible installation
International certification ensures global acceptance
Highly precise measuring technology is ideal for filling or dispensing applications
The industry-standard Micropulse SF fill level sensor uses field-tested magnetostrictive technology to provide highly-precise fill level measurement. Noncontact measurement technology ensures unparalleled reliability and performance. Its continuously-variable analog output signals allow for easy connection to control systems.
GEMS Sensors & Controls has launched its new 950 Electro Optic Level Sensor (ELS) for a wide range of applications and industries. According to Gems, the new miniature, low cost ELS-950 was developed to perform in harsh environments with features such as an over-molded electronics insert, TPE insulated wires, and fluorosilicone O-ring seals to create a watertight, environmentally resistant assembly.
The ELS-950 is the next generation of the 900 series, as it is built on the proven technology of its predecessor line. Additionally the small, solid state sensor is durable enough to handle almost any application or temperature.
Gems says the ELS-950 is suitable for applications such as OHV, Medical diagnostic, sterilizer, and dialysis equipment; low lubricant warning on machine tools, and generator sets; construction, agricultural, and material handling equipment; coolant reservoir monitoring/warning and OEM food and beverage applications.
TURCK announces their analog+ proximity sensors have been enhanced to differentiate between varying types of metal during detection—independent of their distance from the sensor. Available in ring and flat housings, these material detection sensors provide sensing ranges up to 11 mm and are well suited for stamping, die cutting and metal sorting applications, where different metal types must be readily and accurately detected.
The analog+ material detection sensors use inductive coils whose RF fields are influenced differently for each metal type. The signal difference is then converted into a 0 to 10 VDC analog signal to signify which type of metal is being detected. Additionally, a wide operating temperature rating of -10 to 70°C makes these sensors particularly useful in cold pilger rolling mills used for drawing seamless pipes.
The S-PIR is a self-contained motion detector with a built in GSM modem for sending a SMS text message to you when a zone is breached.
Instillation is simple as SeNd Technoolgy states that you just register the pay-as-you-go SIM card with some credit and insert into the S-PIR, plug in the mains transformer and you are ready to configure. Then by SMS change the security passcode and add your mobile number – and it’s ready.
To “arm” just “ring” the S-PIR for a few seconds and it will give you a 15 second window to leave the secure area.
When the PIR sensor next detects motion you will receive a SMS informing you. The S-PIR will then call you so you can hear (via the units built-in microphone) and activity at the remote location.
STMicroelectronics has introduced a high performance single-package analog gyroscope that accurately measures angular rates along three orthogonal axes. Combining superior accuracy with high stability and a small size, ST’s 3-axis gyroscope heralds the widespread adoption of realistic-motion user interfaces in all kinds of consumer applications.
The sensor provides 360° angular-rate detection for high-precision 3D gesture and motion recognition in mobile phones, game controllers, personal navigation systems and other portable devices. Combined with a 3-axis accelerometer, ST’s newest gyroscope enables the creation of Inertial Measurement Units,devices that track and deliver complete information onthe type, rate, and direction of motion of humans, vehicles and other objects.
The innovative gyroscopeprovides two separate outputs for each of the three axes at the same time: a 400dps full-scale value for high accuracy of slow motion and a 1,600dps full-scale value to detect and measure very fast gestures and movements. The two simultaneous full-scale outputs, together with high resolution and excellent stability over an extended temperature range (from -40°C to 85°C) and over time, set new standards in precision, accuracy and stability, and simplify the sensor integration at both the software and hardware level.
ST’s 3-axis gyroscope can operate with any supply voltage in the range of 2.7 to 3.6V. Robust and resistant to mechanical stress, ST’s 3-axis gyroscope leverages the same manufacturing process that ST has already successfully applied to more than 600 million accelerometers sold in the market. “In 2003, ST was the first to deliver a 3-axis analog accelerometer in a single package,” said Benedetto Vigna, General Manager of STMicroelectronics’ MEMS and Healthcare division. “Now we are the first to have a 3X Analog Gyroscope.”
Samples of ST’s LYPR540AH 3-axis gyroscope, in a 4.4 x 7.5 x 1.1mm package, are available now, with volume production scheduled for Q1 2010. Unit pricing is $3.6 for volumes in the range of 10k.
Jing Li, a physical scientist at NASA’s Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif., along with other researchers working under the Cell-All program in the Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate, developed a proof of concept of new technology that would bring compact, low-cost, low-power, high-speed nanosensor-based chemical sensing capabilities to cell phones.
The device Li developed is about the size of a postage stamp and is designed to be plugged in to an iPhone to collect, process and transmit sensor data. The new device is able to detect and identify low concentrations of airborne ammonia, chlorine gas and methane. The device senses chemicals in the air using a “sample jet” and a multiple-channel silicon-based sensing chip, which consists of 16 nanosensors, and sends detection data to another phone or a computer via telephone communication network or Wi-Fi.
Generally, the wall thickness of Coriolis measuring tubes are significantly less than the associated process piping, which will tolerate a higher rate of corrosion before failing. This is an area where wetted material selection for a Coriolis meter is critical.
Tantalum has been used by some Coriolis manufacturers in the past, but the twin bent tube designs made these expensive. This was due to the flange, flow splitter as well as the measuring tubes all being made from Tantalum.
It was not until the advent of the single straight tube design, that the material looked more attractive, due to the design now only needing the measuring tube and the raised face of the process flange to be made from Tantalum. This brought major cost advantages over the equivalent bent tube designs, but was not easy to achieve as Tantalum does not have the same tensile strength as Titanium which is traditionally employed.
KROHNE has been granted several patents for perfecting the technology of containing the stress created in a straight tube due to thermal expansion and are now in a position to make this technology available to highly aggressive and corrosive chemicals.
The Tantalum used by KROHNE is an alloy called Tantalum Ta10W, which is made up of 10% Tungsten and 90% Tantalum. KROHNE have found that it is the ideal material for use in its OPTIMASS 7300 mass flowmeter as Tungsten provides the additional tensile strength required to handle the stresses associated with straight tube technology.
With the addition of Tantalum, KROHNE can now offer a wide range of wetted materials for most chemicals. This now includes in addition, Hastelloy® C22, Duplex SS 318, Titanium as well as SS316L.
The microwave barrier VEGA‘MIP’ (Microwave Impulse Point-level) is especially designed for the needs of the bulk handling industries. It can be applied to bulk solids or liquid level detection, in plastic vessels for example, or object detection – such as vehicle positioning/warning and oversize/height alarms on conveyors etc. As this is a non-contact measurement, VEGAMIP 61 has no direct contact with the medium, providing reliability for abrasive, aggressive or high temperature applications. In the case of metallic or conductive vessels, VEGAMIP can measure from the outside through a non conductive microwave permeable window, e.g. in ceramic, glass or plastic materials.
The new ACPL-K370/K376 series, which are an upgrade from Avago’s HCPL-0370/3700/3760 optocoupler family, utilizes threshold sensing input buffer ICs which permit control of threshold levels over a wide range of input voltages up to 1140 Vpeak, with a single external resistor. Some of the key benefits provided by this new optocoupler series include a smaller stretched SO-8 (SSO-8) package which meets 8mm clearance and creepage requirements, and requires 30 percent less printed circuit board space compared to dual-inline packages (DIP-8). Additionally, the input buffer of these optocouplers offer several key features to enhance threshold sensing such as hysteresis for extra noise and switching immunity, a diode bridge for easy use with AC input signals, and internal clamping diodes to protect the buffer and light emitting diode (LED) from a wide range of over-voltage and over-current transients.
US company H2scan has developed inline, solid-state palladium-nickel based sensors that are highly selective to hydrogen, do not require oxygen to operate, and can detect hydrogen in concentrations from a few ppm to 100%.
Complete gas analysis
GEMS Sensors & Controls has launched its new 950 Electro Optic Level Sensor (ELS) for a wide range of applications and industries. According to Gems, the new miniature, low cost ELS-950 was developed to perform in harsh environments with features such as an over-molded electronics insert, TPE insulated wires, and fluorosilicone O-ring seals to create a watertight, environmentally resistant assembly.
