Inline Steaming Technology
Borrows from Freezer Design
Processors of steam-cooked products such as chilled fresh pastas can select steaming technology that couples affordability with the hygiene, reliability and performance advantages, says FMC FoodTech, the manufacturer of the GyroCompact S6 steamer. The steamer incorporates the self-stacking FrigoBelt conveyor already used reliably in the company’s inline freezers.

“We’ve taken the GyroCompact technology from our self-stacking freezers and replaced the refrigeration system with a steam-injection system and a modified enclosure than can withstand high temperatures,’ says Ingmar Pahlsson, product line manager of Chicago-based FMC FoodTech.

Unlike regular spiral steamers, provides even product steaming across the belt width. Its two-zone cooking approach offers a mixture of saturated and dry steam. As the product enters the bottom of the spiral, it encounters saturated steam, which condenses on the product to cook it. The steam enters the belt stack from the top, where it hits a hood that covers the top tiers of the spiral, creating a zone of dry steam. The product has been cooked by the saturated steam by the time it reaches the dry zone, where excess surface water is removed. The steamer can be used for foods that are steamed or gently cooked such as corn on the cob, sausages and poultry fillets, or to pasteurize packed products.

Petro-Canada Supports Canadian Olympians
Rocks dropped at Petro-Canada’s downtown Calgary offices to kick off the release of the first Royal Canadian Mint Vancouver 2010 25-cent circulation coin, which celebrates the Olympic sport of curling. Olympic Bronze medal curler Amy Nixon joined Petro-Canada President and CEO Ron Brennaeman (shown) to introduce the commemorative coin.

The 25-cent circulation curling coin will be available at Calgary Petro-Canada gas stations through a coin exchange. Petro-Canada retail locations also will sell Vancouver 2010 coin sport cards that have aversion of each circulation coin embedded in a laminated sleeve. A portion of the proceeds of the Vancouver 2010 coin sport cards will go to Canadian athletes and coaches. Petro-Canada is downstream company with refining and supply operations, retail and marketing networks, and a specialty lubricants business that produces heat transfer fluids for process applications.

Processing Electrical Components and Assemblies
Whether used for curing, stress relieving or burn-in, process ovens play key roles during the manufacture of electronic components. Understand how oven layout, airflow patterns and control choices influence the success or failure of your process.

5 Steps for Designing Temperature Probe Assemblies
Understanding some basic design steps can help you choose the temperature assembly that is best suited for the conditions of your heating process.

Tackling the Tough Processes
Accurate product temperature measurement improves process control, but it can be difficult to get an accurate snapshot of your process. Advances in infrared thermometer technology have made it possible to profile your process temperature measurements unerringly.

How to Troubleshoot Your Process Heating System
When disaster strikes and the heating plant is offline, do not panic. Take a systematic approach to get the system back online.

Rupture Discs
Rupture discs are non-reclosing pressure-relief devices intended to protect vessels, piping and pressure-relief valves by providing a leak-tight seal. If a vessel’s internal pressure rises to a predetermined level, the disc bursts, providing instantaneous, unobstructed full relief and preventing overpressure problems and damaged equipment. Offered in corrosion-resistant materials, Axius reverse-acting rupture disc is intended for use in aggressive chemical, pharmaceutical and sanitary applications. Units are offered in burst pressures from 7 to 600 psig with non-fragmenting openings, full-vacuum resistance and a high-operating ratio.

Fike
(816) 229-3405

Control Performance Software
DeltaV InSight monitors control performance; identifies and diagnoses problem loops; recommends tuning and maintenance improvements; and adapts to changing process conditions. The integrated control performance software automatically learns processes using embedded algorithms running at the controller level and then develops process models based on day-to-day operations. The software allows users to identify operational benchmarks and calculate optimum loop tuning across the entire control system. The application highlights poorly performing loops automatically, focusing the user’s attention where needed.

Emerson Process Management
(512) 418-7536

Ceramic-Based Adhesive
Ultra-Temp 516 is a single-part, zirconia-filled, inorganic adhesive system for bonding zirconia components used in high-temperature sensors and instruments to 4,400°F (2,427°C). Its dielectric strength is 250 V/mil with a volume resistivity of 108 Ω-cm and torque strength of 8.6 in/lb. The adhesive will not outgas under ultra-high vacuum and it provides chemical, moisture and thermal shock resistance. Application is via syringe, brush or automatic dispenser.

Aremco Products Inc.
(845) 268-0039

Hydrocarbon Thermal Fluid
Multitherm IG-4, a highly refined hydrocarbon thermal fluid for use in temperature control systems for heating up to
600°F (316°C), is rated HT1 by NSF for incidental contact and has received Kosher certification. The fluid has a high flashpoint, low vapor pressure, good oxidation resistance and is non-hazardous and nontoxic.

MultiTherm LLC
(800) 225-7440

Programmable
Limit Alarm Trips
Model SPA2 provides on/off control, warns of trouble and provides for emergency shutdown. The programmable current-voltage and RTD-thermocouple limit alarm trips, which have FM Approval, send up to four relay outputs when a monitored process signal falls outside a user-selectable high-low limit. Signals from transmitters, temperature sensors, resistance and potentiometer devices, and direct millivolt sources are accepted.

Moore Industries-International
(818) 894-7111

Fluid Bed Granulator
Model 100N for testing or small-scale pharmaceutical production is suitable for granulation, coating and drying. Features of the fluid-bed system include a 5-liter product bowl; temperatures up to 275°F (135°C); variable-speed blower up to a maximum of 70 cfm; full instrumentation and an optional Wurster tube insert. Suited for batch production runs and product evaluation, the unit also permits experimentation with fluidization velocities, operating temperatures, coating methods, granulation methods, drying and cooling processes. An explosionproof design also is available.

Applied Chemical Technology
(800) 228-3217