Flare Manufacturer Receives Orders for 13 Systems
Abutec LLC, Woodstock, Ga., received orders for 13 medium-temperature ground flare (MTF) units to handle the emissions from 13 biodigestor facilities. The project is an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and requires strict emission monitoring and compliance, in accordance with Kyoto Protocol and the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) initiatives.

Abutec supplies burners and flaring systems aimed at reducing emissions and increasing efficiency. The company's flares provide from 98 percent destruction efficiency up to 99.99 percent destruction efficiency with low NO_X and CO emissions. In addition, all of the company's flares are able to operate at only 150 BTU/ft³ (or 15 percent methane equivalent), which reduces the need for auxiliary fuel and decreases the amount of greenhouse gases burned.

Electronic Control Safety Warning Issued
The Eclipse Veri-Flame electronic control used on gas-fired heating equipment may allow continued gas flow even in the absence of flame, so the company has issued a safety warning. While only a few occurrences have been reported, according to Rockford, Ill.-based Eclipse, the situation could pose a significant hazard to personnel and equipment.

Eclipse has received agency approval for a new version of the Veri-Flame that addresses this issue and has begun replacements and repairs of all affected Veri-Flames according to the repair and replacement policy detailed on its site.

It is important that owners of equipment using the Eclipse Veri-Flame inspect and test units in accordance with the Eclipse Veri-Flame monitoring control test procedure. Sites that have the Veri-Flame installed should visit the Veri-Flame page on the company's web site or contact Eclipse for instructions to determine whether they have the affected product.

The company has organized and grouped the advisory, updates, answers to frequently answered questions, and other technical details at www.eclipsenet.com/advisory. Questions or comments can be directed to Eclipse at (815) 637-7384 or advisory@eclipsenet.com.

Thermal Fluids: An Overview
No one fluid is ideal for all uses. A brief survey of three basic groups -- petroleum-based, synthetic aromatic and specialty fluids -- outlines the general characteristics of each type.

Managing Plastics Molding
Choosing the right melt and tool temperatures are vital for part quality when molding semi-crystalline engineering polymers. Only if the right temperatures are used can the molder produce good quality parts with the help of temperature control equipment.

An Alternative to PLC-Based Analog Control
Applications controlled with a PLC that require accurate single- or multi-loop PID control and handling of discrete loops can add PID control modules supporting the PLC.

Curing Extruded Rubber Seals
A manufacturer of extruded rubber seals for the automotive industry needed a curing system that brings instant on/off heating capabilities; cures the coating in as little as 30 sec; and is capable of completely surrounding the product, or be flexible enough to cure just one coated side, if that is all that is required. A demanding application, but one that infrared can handle.

Infrared Thermometers
When you have to measure the temperature of the untouchable and have ruled out using the thermocouple and the RTD, your best choice is usually one of the many infrared thermometers, says controls columnist Arthur Holland.

Batch Ovens Cure Ceramic Coatings
Gas-fired batch ovens were designed to cure ceramic coatings on assorted parts. Features include combination airflow, work chamber dimensions of 6 x 7 x 8', and 650°F (343°C) maximum operating temperature. A pilotless burner, powered exhaust blower, and automatically actuated fresh air inlet and exhaust outlet help maintain a low operating temperature of 100°F above ambient minimum. The modulating damper system also can be utilized for accelerated chamber cooling.
Wisconsin Oven Corp., (262) 642-3938

Infrared Emitters
Tubes or rods made of plastic, metal or glass can be heated homogeneously using spiral-form disc emitters. The emitters generate high power in a small space and reduce heating times. Short- or medium-wave, round tube designs offer quick on and off switching. Spiral power, voltage and size can be matched to the product to be heated. Spiral-form emitters also can operate under vacuum conditions.
Heraeus Noblelight GmbH, +49 6181 35-8469

Temperature Profiler
M.O.L.E. Profiler depends on the company's MAP (Machine-Assembly-Process) software to control how it collects and interprets data. Several kinds of data runs may need to be performed to achieve desired information, or the same data run may be performed repeatedly over time to monitor one process. The software includes wizards that help users get started quickly. Preset settings for the three most common reflow work flows speed setup for many applications.
Electronic Controls Design (ECD) Inc., (800) 323-4548