Novatec Opens Facility for Evaluating Resin Dryers
A drying technology center designed to rate every type of dryer — by both energy use and drying efficiency — is expected to serve as a resource for processors and resin suppliers. Baltimore-based Novatec planned the 4,200 ft ² to enable processors to compare alternative types of dryer in terms of energy efficiency, drying speed and other critical parameters.

Novatec supplies hot air (convection), infrared, desiccant and compressed-air dryers as well as a proprietary compressed-air/membrane system and vacuum dryers. The center will include working models of Novatec systems operating under conditions that ensure a high degree of repeatability and comparability.

“While one of our goals is to provide reliable ratings of energy efficiency for all of our models, we intend to measure other critical parameters in dryer performance as well, such as the time it takes for different systems to properly dry similar resins with equivalent initial moisture content,” said product sales manager Mark Haynie.

While the facility will be available as a demonstration and training center for Novatec drying systems, Haynie also expects testing performed at the drying center to allow the company to provide more reliable recommendations for drying specific resins. Haynie expressed intent to work with resin companies to identify the parameters and conditions that result in optimal drying of different polymers. Novatec also will test hopper configurations to identify those that provide the most efficient flow for particular forms of resin and that promote uniform distribution of drying air.

NEWS BRIEF
A dryer manufacturer is marking the production its 600th conditioning system during the systems 20th anniversary year. The differential diameter cylinder (DDC) “preconditioner,” patented by Wenger Manufacturing, Sabetha, Kansas, is designed to pre-moisten and preheat the dry recipes ahead of the extruder barrel. Features of the DDC unit include a compact design to ease retrofits as well as access for sanitation and inspection; uniform processing characteristics; enhanced flavor development; constant speed; high starch gelatinization values achieved for maximum extrusion rates and extended life of extruder parts; high mixing intensity; and optimal mixing.

Selecting TEMA Type
Heat Exchangers
Defining the major TEMA constructions and identifying their advantages, limitations and applications suitable for each type can be advantageous to your process.

How To Dry Bulk Material Effectively
Spray, rotary, flash, tray and fluid bed dryers: Each is best suited to particular applications. This overview will help you know which is best for yours.

Should You Replace Your Mercury Relays?
A banned substance in many countries, mercury presents health risks if not disposed of properly. Mercury relays have been used for decades as industrial controls. Is it time to consider switching to solid-state devices?

Amino Acid Production Plant
Chooses Ejector for Vacuum Drying
With process steam available at low cost from a captive plant, a detailed evaluation placed steam ejectors ahead of mechanical and hybrid vacuum systems. In actual performance and comparison tests, liquid ring pumps were unable to pull the desired vacuum.

Infrared Thermometers: Point and Shoot Temperature Readings
Site Registration Required to View
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 (also known as optical pyrometers).

Temperature Control Systems for Laboratory,
Pilot Applications
Haake DynaMax units quickly dissipate heat from exothermic chemical reactions. Features include fast temperature cooling and heating rates, precise temperature stability, high heating and cooling capacities, and interfaces for external control. Applications for the temperature control systems include jacketed reactors, large rotary evaporators, reaction calorimetry, fermentation and cooling analytical equipment.

Thermo Scientific, Part of Thermo Fisher Scientific
(800) 258-0830

Mineral-Insulated
Band Heaters
Mi-Plus is designed for applications that require high watt density and/or high operating temperatures. The mineral-insulated band heater has a thin, low-profile cross-section using all stainless steel sheath materials. Its clamping brackets are formed from the outer sheath of the band heater, providing a one-piece, built-in construction strap. With a maximum temperature of 1,400°F (760°C), the band heater can be constructed as an expandable one-piece device or with two-piece construction for larger nozzles or barrels.

Tempco
(630) 350-2552

High Density Modular Control
Intended to replace banks of discrete temperature controllers, the SRZ DIN-rail-mounted system has a sample cycle time of 250 ms, providing an accuracy of 0.2 percent. In addition to the typical heat only and heat/cool methods, the control method is selectable between position-proportional control and cascade control. The Brilliant PID II algorithm with enhanced tuning achieves a quick rise or drop to setpoint and with protection from over- and undershoot cause by external disturbances. True universal input includes 10 thermocouples types, RTD, voltage or current.

RKC Instrument
(574) 273-6099

Compact Chillers
Series KD-100 has a CFC-free refrigeration system with compressor hot discharge gas bypass. The standard digital display temperature controller offers display of process or setpoint temperature and provides stability to ±1.0°C. The compact, single-channel chillers’ circulating pump and compressor motors are thermally protected. Standard features include a pressure gauge to indicate recirculating coolant outlet pressure and locking casters for easy portability. Heavy-duty circulating pumps ensure continuous, reliable operation.

Tek-Temp Instruments Inc.
(215) 788-5528

Reclaim Heat Transfer Fluid
Using CMS short-path, high-vacuum technology or packed column technology, the company can restore contaminated high performance fluids and specialty fluids to their original high-purity state with high yields. Under most conditions, the company returns approximately 90 percent of the contaminated fluid to like-new quality. Fluids capable of being reclaimed include:

• Heat transfer fluids
• Perfluorocarbons specialty fluids
• Fluorinerts
• Polyphenyl ethers
• Dielectic fluids

Reclamation and reprocessing allows users to reuse fluids many times to gain greater cost efficiencies.

TMC Industries
(800) 772-8179

TEMA Heat Exchangers
Heat exchangers can be fabricated in all TEMA configurations, including single- and multi-pass as well as "U" tube configurations, with or without removable bundles. Heads can be fabricated using traditional bonnets or with channels to facilitate cleaning the tube side. Impingement protection is available to prevent wear of the tubes on inlet connections. Several types of supports are available such as saddles for horizontal units and lugs for vertical units. All heat exchangers meet the requirements of TEMA and can be designed to the ASME Section VIII Division 1 or Division 2 codes.

RAS Process Equipment
(609) 371-1000