NEW TECHONOGY: MAY 2009
NEW DATA COLLECTION FROM HONEYWELL
Profit® Stepper, from Honeywell, is an integrated tool providing data collection, automated testing, data visualization, and online identification of dynamic models for use in Honeywell’s Profit Controller and Profit Optimizer advanced process control and optimization technologies. Profit Stepper dramatically reduces the required time and effort for multivariable controller step testing in situations ranging from initial controller/model development (open-loop testing), model maintenance (closed-loop testing) or model expansion (hybrid open/closed loop testing). Use of Profit Stepper will typically reduce plant test time requirements by 40-60 percent while providing higher quality models than “standard” plant test procedures.
Profit Stepper provides a highly automated, but interactive environment to track the progress of a plant test. Detailed information is provided on past, current, and future MV movement, as well as summary and variable-by-variable modeling results as the test progresses. Additionally, Profit Stepper provides clear visual indications (based on rigorous statistical tests) of test progress and completion. Profit Stepper models are generated within Profit Design Studio allowing for detailed simulation studies and final configuration of Profit Controller or Profit Optimizer applications based on the newly acquired results.
Printing Problems Purged with Clariant’s Cartabond® KZI and MZI
Clariant has developed Cartabond® KZI and MZI, ground-breaking new technology which reduces debris that can impair the quality of printing.
Clariant’s unique new generation of Zirconium-based crosslinkers – the patented Cartabond KZI and MZI – are chemicals that are used to improve the wet surface strength of coated paper during offset printing and converting operations. The result is a reduction in the accumulation of dust and fibers, with less time spent on cleaning the printing press, saving valuable time and money.
Even though Zirconium has been used in crosslinkers for more than 30 years, no real change or innovation has been brought to the market to improve its performance… until now. With this patented, exclusive development, Clariant’s Research & Development experts have come up with a unique new chemical process that draws more performance from the Zirconium element and improves the cost/performance profile of the crosslinker.
During printing and converting operations, such as sheeting, rolling and de-curling, the free particles naturally present on the paper surface tend to form dust. This is especially the case in the offset printing process, in which fountain water is added to the areas where ink must not be applied. Highly tacky inks are then applied by several consecutive printing heads.
As the paper surface is weakened by moisture, ink film splitting between blanket and paper can result in the release of particles and fibers from the surface. These then accumulate on the blanket and printing rolls due to ‘picking’, ‘piling’ and ‘linting’. The printing quality therefore deteriorates, which usually leads to missing dots and/or gradual lightening in the solid areas. It then becomes necessary to stop production in order to clean the blanket and printing rolls.
Zirconium-based crosslinkers are therefore used to improve the wet surface strength of coated paper. They create additional links between the binder polymer molecules, the cellulosic fibers and the filler or surface pigment particles. Zirconium-based crosslinkers react with the carboxylate groups in synthetic latex binders, such as carboxylated SBR or styrene-acrylate.
The new generation of crosslinkers from Clariant’s paper business – part of a wider family of Cartabond crosslinkers - is especially suitable for coated offset printing, in top-coating, precoating and single-coating. The new Cartabond MZI and KZI crosslinkers allow longer printing runs and cleaner converting operations. Bigger quantities are printed before it becomes necessary to stop and clean the blankets.
The new Cartabond MZI and KZI products also display a favorable eco-toxic profile
and they are BfR and FDA compliant for food contact applications.
Sappi increases digester capacity with flexible radiation-based level detector
The Sappi Enstra mill, south-east of Johannesburg, is one of the oldest mills in South Africa as it was founded in 1938, just two years after Sappi Ltd. was formed. It has a production capacity of 115 000 tons per annum of pulp and 200 000 tons per annum of fine paper.
There are seven paper pulp digesters in operation at the plant, running at seven to nine cycles per day. This process, which is highly abrasive and corrosive involves relatively high temperatures.
One problem that faced the Sappi engineers was that they were unable to tell exactly how much yield they were getting from the digesters during this process, as they were ‘running blind’ without an efficient level detection device. Point level switches had been tried but this method of level measurement is affected by the foam generation during the boiling process and proved to be unreliable.
The solution proposed by Clint Viviers of Vega Instruments SA (Pty) Ltd., was to use a continuous radiation-based flexible level detector from Ohmart. The Ohmart nuclear range of level detectors is part of the Vega’s stable of level measurement products, sold and installed worldwide.
Nuclear continuous level measurement works by directing a narrow fan of radiation through the vessel as a detector. As the product level rises, it shields the detector from the radiation. The more radiation the detector ‘sees’, the lower the product level (discernable to 1% of span). The less radiation detected, the higher the product level.
The Fibreflex® has a distinct weight reduction advantage, as the need for a steel pipe housing is eliminated. The lightweight scintillation fibres are encased in a galvanized steel flexible conduit. This gives excellent strength and environmental resistance with very low weight. The flexible conduit comes in lengths of up to 7 metres, which reduces the need for multiple detectors. The whole level detector is simple and safe to install.
With the first Fibreflex® installed and running the digester at optimal yield, it has paid for itself within the first three to four weeks through production gains of an extra 4 tons per day.
Plans are in place to install the next level detector within four months and eventually convert the entire seven digesters to the Ohmart radiation-based flexible level detectors. This will give a yield of an extra 28 tons of pulp per day, and increase total daily production to around 323 tons.
SKF Microlog Analyzer AX with customizable vibration monitoring
SKF’s Microlog Analyzer AX, with simultaneous triaxial or 4-channel vibration measurement capability, has been developed to speed up data collection and save time in monitoring rounds.
The unit’s 806 MHz Xscale processor means faster real time rate and display updates, which can all be viewed on the vivid 6.4” VGA colour display.
This new Analyzer incorporates all the features that expert analysts have come to expect from an SKF Microlog, including the industry proven SKF Acceleration Enveloping (gE) technology.
Adding to this are the capabilities of 4-channel non-route/2-channel or simultaneous triaxial route Analysis and 2-channel Balancing. The rugged IP65 rated dust- and water-proof design remains reliable in tough industrial environments, while the rechargeable lithium battery supports eight hours of continuous data collection and eliminates the environmental issues with disposing of used batteries.
Users can select from a range of application modules, creating a custom device that suits their individual requirements. Modules can be added as your needs develop, increasing the value of your hardware investment by upgrading capabilities without the need to buy a new instrument.
Application modules include Balancing; Bump Analysis; Recorder; Frequency Response Function; Run up/Coast down and Check to Conformance. This range of application modules allows users to perform several advanced tasks – such as impact tests, digital recording, modal analysis, transient phenomena analysis and quality inspections - all with the same device.
Alternatively, pre-configured models (AX-M, AX-S and AX-F) are also available with a selection of loaded modules to fit user needs.
Waterproof power modules
Whether splash water, condensed water or completely under water – MTM Power modules are absolutely waterproof. The worldwide unique THERMOSELECTIVE VACUUM ENCAPSULATION enables an undisturbed use of the power supply modules with AC (90…264 VAC) and DC (100…353 VDC) wide input range.
The modules with the single output voltages of 24 V, 36 V and 48 V are designed for use under extreme environmental conditions like dust and humidity and allow an efficient, cost-saving solution for different tasks in indoor and outdoor applications. They are especially designed for decentralised systems without cabinets – the state-of-the-art trend in automation. Futher features are rugged design, SMD-technology, automatic 100 % final test and 100-%-burn-in-test. The series PM-IP67A 100 offers 100W constant output wattage, is short circuit protected, needs no ground load and operates within a temperature range of -25 to +70 °C.
The modules have CB-Scheme and are VDE and UL/cUL approved. Besides this 100 W version, the PM IP67A series includes modules with an output power of 50 W and 75 W (each with single outputs) and 200 W (single and dual output).
