Perform Predictive Maintenance
With Infrared Thermometers
Infrared thermometry can be used for plant predictive and preventive maintenance, electrical applications, process monitoring, quality assurance and other applications. According to Fluke Corp., Everett, Wash., there are three ways to use any kind of infrared, non-contact thermometer:

• To measure the absolute temperature at a spot. This type of measurement is used to measure and track temperature at a single spot. It is useful for trending the temperature of an object or comparing a measurement to a specification. For an infrared thermometer used for predictive maintenance, look for high repeatability to help ensure consistency.
• To compare the temperature differential of two spots. This type of measurement might be used to check the functioning of a steam trap by measuring the temperature of the inlet and outlet. No change indicates the trap has failed open. A very large change indicates the trap has failed closed.
• To scan an object and detect changes within a continuous area on it. This capability allows the user to find hot or cold spots on housings, panels and structures. For example, one can check the heat sink of air-cooled transformers for cool tubes that indicate a restricted flow or a lack of flow.

For industries where calibration is a matter of concern, infrared thermometers are available with a NIST calibration certificate.

NEWS BRIEF
APV, part of the Invensys plc group, named David Todman of global sales manager, responsible for the global marketing team at APV, West Sussex, United Kingdom. In that role, Todman will strengthen and develop the global marketing function. Specific goals include providing a framework for strategic marketing; identifying and developing new business opportunities; and continuing to emphasize and cultivate the strength of the APV brand.

Also, APV has opened logistics hub for its customers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) at a centralized location in Unna, Germany. The new hub complements its logistics facility based in Singapore, which opened in May of last year and covers the Asia Pacific region.

Said Mike Currah, world class performance director at APV, “We [placed] the hub close to our [European] manufacturing operation, where we produce the majority of APV’s valves and homogenizers. The hub carries approximately 4,000 different spare parts, and the central location will enable us to ship goods directly to our EMEA-based customers within 24 hours, if required.”

Check Burner Air-to-Fuel Ratios
Periodically checking and resetting the air-fuel ratios is one of the simplest ways to get maximum efficiency out of fuel-fired process heating equipment such as ovens, heaters, boilers and furnaces.

Predicting Temperature Controller Maintenance
Developments in temperature controller technology are providing process and equipment diagnostics.

3 Processes, 1 Solution
Oxidizers addressed emissions concerns and brought processes into regulatory compliance in silicone and pharmaceutical processing as well as in a petrochemical facility.

The Spray Way
Spray drying is an ideal process where the end-product must comply with precise quality standards regarding particle size distribution, residual moisture content, bulk density and particle shape.

PET Dryer
Company has licensed technology to become the only U.S. company authorized to build and market the infrared drum dryer (IRD). Its central component is a large, horizontal, stainless steel rotating cylinder or drum on whose inside wall is a helical arrangement of flights that transport PET through the length of the drum. The resin is tumbled as it passes through the drum, so all PET surfaces are exposed to radiation from a central bank of infrared heaters around which the drum rotates. Moisture driven from the pellets is carried away by a stream of ambient air.

Novatec Inc.
(410) 789-4811

Combination Heating/Chilling System
Suited for laboratories and pilot plants, heating/chilling vessels and jacketed piping, Full Range combines one of the company’s water temperature control system with one of its portable chillers, integrating both into one compact, self-supporting system. The system is well suited for applications requiring multiple zone control; processes requiring both heating and chilling and/or a range of temperatures; or where supply water or drains are not accessible. Standard features include, non-corrosive construction, heating capacities up to 96 kW; pumping capacities of 10 to 120 gal/min; 2 to 35 ton chilling capacities; and UL labeled electrical subpanel.

Mokon
(716) 876-9951

Compound Has High Thermal Conductivity
Intended for high performance bonding, sealing, coating and encapsulation, EP21TDC-2LO offers flexibility and toughness. It cures at room temperatures or more rapidly at elevated temperatures. It has a 1:3 mix ratio by weight or volume and has a working life of more than 90 min for a 3.5 oz (100 gm) mass. Little exotherm is developed during cure, making it suitable for use in thick- and thin-sectioned configurations. It has a service operating temperature range of approximately -450 to 250°F
(4K to 121°C) exhibits good thermal shock resistance. Thermal conductivity is 9 BTU/in/ft² /hr/°F.

Master Bond Inc.
(201) 343-8983

3A Sanitary Vortex
Flow Meters
Model 84S is designed for use in sanitary liquid, gas or steam pharmaceutical applications. The Hart-compatible flow meter provides accuracies of ±0.5 percent of reading with liquids and ±1.0 percent of reading with gas and steam. The process-wetted parts are 316 and 316L stainless steel, and finished to 3A 25 RA sanitary standards. The design facilitates use in clean-in-place (CIP) processes where various combinations of cleaning solutions, air purging or saturated steam (SIP) are present at temperatures to 400°F (204°C). It is offered in 2 and 3" sanitary line sizes for flow rates from 5.5 to 648 gal/min.

Invensys, Foxboro Measurements and Instruments
(866) 746-6477

Submersible Drum Mill
PSDM-55 is a free-standing, stand-mounted basket-type mill with an independently powered milling shaft/basket. It does not require floor anchors and is movable with forklift or pallet jack. The submersible drum mill is capable of processing milling batches from 20 to 55 gal in a single drum. It is intended for low viscosity batches up to 20,000 cps.

Premier Mill, An SPX Process Equipment Operation
(800) 676-6455

Fuel Gas Cleaning System
System consists of an electric preheater, pressure reduction, coalescence, heat exchange and electric superheater in one ASME pressure vessel. ElectroClean will provide dry, clean gas to any dry low NO_X gas turbine. The only additional equipment needed is an optional filter/coalescer for fine removal of entrained oils and filtration of rust. The one-piece system provides gas-turbine-quality fuel-gas from pipeline-quality fuel-gas.

Gaumer Process Heaters, Systems, Controls
(800) 460-5200