NEW TECHONOGY: July 09
Machinery condition monitoring and analysis now integrated
Metso has integrated machinery condition analysis technology in the metsoDNA CR automation system. The application is called DNAmachineAssessor. Process operators and maintenance staff now have first-hand access to machine vibration data and mechanical component condition analysis through the same user interface which is used to measure and control the process and product quality. New metsoDNA CR system features have been developed to enable high frequency I/O and digital signal processing. The operator interface includes new easy-to-interpret displays for more detailed analysis of vibration signals and spectra.
Operators can take immediate action to lessen vibrations, avoid failures and alert maintenance personnel to severe problems or those which are just starting to develop. Maintenance staff has access to the same online vibration data in engineering terminals in the maintenance shop where they can perform more detailed diagnostics to determine the root causes. Maintenance planning and actions are determined in a timely and cost-effective manner.
With all process and machinery condition information consolidated in one system, machinery vibrations can be related to the process conditions, allowing more effective problem solving capability. Data links or manual data collection from different systems are no longer required.
For more information, please contact:
Harri Mustonen, R&D manager, condition monitoring solutions, Automation business line, Metso: + 358 40 563 8608 or harri.mustonen@metso.com 
Boost for collaborative operation and maintenance by one common view for all users
SKF’s range of Valve Stem Seals
Valve stem seals are devices engineered to allow a small amount of oil to pass through their lips (oil-metering) to lubricate the valve stem / valve guide interface of an engine. “If too much oil passes through the lip of the seal, emissions are worsened and coke builds up on the valve, potentially causing the engine to lose power or even fail. If too little oil passes through the lip of the seal, the valve does not receive enough lubrication and will scuff, which ultimately will cause the valve to seize. The ideal metering rate lies between these two extremes,” explains Andre Weyers, SKF South Africa’s Platform Development Manager.
“Oil metering to the valve guide / stem interface is the prime function of a valve stem seal. Although the requirements for each engine differ according to the design parameters and operating conditions, the oil metering rate is generally within the range of 0.1 - 1.0mg per valve per hour,” states Weyers.
Weyers continues, “In addition to the standard designs, SKF has developed and patented a valve stem seal for high pressure engine applications, typically in heavy-duty vehicles (trucks and buses) when an exhaust brake is in operation. The seal improves the quality of emissions and enhances engine operation by withstanding these high pressures in the exhaust and intake ports of the engine, thus maintaining its primary function as an oil-metering device. A further benefit is that because the lip does not open under pressure, the capacity of the oil separation unit in the breather system can be downsized as the potentially high gas volumes which flow through the lip under pressure are eliminated.”
SKF’s new valve stem seal design allows the primary sealing lip to function independently of the pressure applied, by protecting it with an independent secondary lip. This lip resists high pressures in the ports of the engine without opening. In addition to valve stem seals, SKF products provide complete automotive sealing solutions for engine, transmission, driveline, steering and suspension systems. This single source approach is possible through a worldwide network offering one-source accountability.
SKF_Valve-Stem-Seals
New sensor measures formation in multi-layer machines
Voith Paper Automation has developed a new sensor called OnV FlocSpotter that is able to measure formation directly in the wire section.
Until now, formation measurement was problematic, especially in the production of board and packaging grades. The paper maker had no data on the individual layers, such as the uppermost layer and the top layer, whose quality is decisive for printing results later. Voith Paper Automation has thus developed OnV FlocSpotter that makes much earlier measurement possible, i.e., directly in the wire section.
With multi-layer machines, formation of each individual layer can thus be inspected separately on the wire fabric before it is joined together with the other layers. The paper maker can therefore achieve maximum control over the sheet formation process and get the information necessary to intervene in the process and regulate it at the earliest possible point. This can be achieved by adjusting the various corresponding stock and machine parameters (e.g., consistency, dosage of the retention agent or speed difference between jet and wire).
Voith Paper On V-FlocSpotter Sensor
The Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies group recently acquired Biothane, a specialist in field of biological treatment of industrial wastewater. Biothane has developed a host of solutions for the aerobic and anaerobic treatment of wastewater.
According to Gunter Rencken, VWS Envig managing director, “This line of treatment technologies is ideal for industrial wastewater and with Biothane’s more than 500 global installations in more than 40 countries, we are able to incorporate this technology into our range of solutions. “What this translates into for customers is access to leading anaerobic technologies combined with the wide variety of proprietary technologies and industry expertise that Veolia offers,” says Rencken.
One of the company’s most popular processes, the Biobed® Expanded Granular Sludge Bed (EGSB), is based on a high-tech, proven design. The process operates at high pressure, eliminating the need for a biogas compressor. It also offers high organic load capacity, small footprint and economical operation.
“ This technology has already been successfully employed in applications in South Africa and Angola, and coupled with VWS Envig’s knowledge of the industrial wastewater markets in sub-Saharan Africa, customers will continue to benefit from robust, customised treatment technologies.
For further enquiries, contact Gunter Rencken, anaging Director of VWS Envig (Pty) Ltd on 011 663 3600, Fax: 011 608 4772 or email: info.vwsenvig@veoliawater.com
Biothane BIOBED
