New quarter-turn smart electric actuator
Flowserve Corp., a leading provider of flow control products and services for the global infrastructure markets, has released its new Limitorque® QX Series B (QXb) quarter-turn smart electric actuator.
According to the company, the Limitorque QXb electric actuator provides unmatched reliability and precision while lowering the cost of ownership in a range of demanding applications. This next-generation device builds on the proven state-of-the-art Limitorque MX actuator platform to provide all the user-preferred features in a quarter-turn, smart actuator package, plus connectivity with the Flowserve Flowsync App.
Flowserve has improved the interface to streamline the user experience and accelerate commissioning by as much as 50%. In addition, the QXb actuator enables backward compatibility with older QX actuators, via a conversion kit, which helps reduce costs and provides future-proofing.
The Limitorque QXb actuator is designed for versatility in demanding applications within the following industries:
Reliable flow control automation solutions are crucial for sustainable operations. Flowserve engineered the QXb actuator to maximize dependability and efficiency while enabling the transition to a low-carbon future. Along with a streamlined user experience and advanced diagnostics, it is designed to support customer initiatives to consume fewer resources.
A large, high-resolution liquid crystal display (LCD) with adaptive brightness control provides improved legibility as well as real-time actuator status and valve position. Its IP68-rated double-sealed enclosure and non-intrusive control knobs eliminate the risk of water or dust ingress for improved reliability—this design also removes the need for a heater. Increased precision is also achieved with 0.1% positioning accuracy.
To learn more about the Limitorque QXb actuator and its capabilities, visit here.
Eco-friendly electric valve actuator ensures accurate process control in adverse conditions
Emerson has introduced the Fisher™ easy-Drive™ 200R Electric Actuator (FIG. 1) for use on Fisher butterfly and ball valves. When paired with these valves, the new actuator performs accurately and reliably under the extreme conditions found in many heavy industries, particularly oil and gas installations in cold remote locations. These actuator/valve assemblies increase uptime, improve performance and reduce the risk of emissions posed by gas-operated systems locations.
Many pneumatic valve actuators installed in remote locations are operated using natural gas, but this technology releases atmospheric emissions every time the valve is actuated. Electric actuators address this issue by eliminating control-related emissions, but existing solutions have limitations, each of which is addressed by the 200R actuator. Key benefits include:
The 200R is an extension of the easy-Drive actuator portfolio, which also includes actuator options for both globe and rotary valves. To learn more, visit emerson.com/fisher200r.
Carbon footprint tracer supports decarbonization in the process manufacturing industries
Yokogawa Electric Corp. has developed and released its OpreX Carbon Footprint Tracer, a solution in the OpreX™ Transformation lineup that targets the carbon footprint management needs of companies in the process manufacturing industries (FIG. 2).
OpreX Carbon Footprint Tracer is a cloud service that calculates carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions based on measurement data and other types of primary information collected from instrumentation systems, power monitors and other systems, and a consultation service that aids in the formulation of strategies for calculating and reducing CO2 emissions. This is a total solution for the process manufacturing industries that enables the visualization and reduction of CO2 emissions.
For the calculation of CO2 emissions, this service realizes seamless integration with the SAP® Sustainability Footprint Management service and ERP solutions offered by SAP, enabling the visualization and management of product carbon footprint (PCF) based on European standards. The support for European standards and linkage with the SAP Sustainability Footprint Management service gives companies in the process manufacturing industries the ability to both visualize and manage their PCF.
Efforts to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 are accelerating worldwide, and Europe is leading the way in carbon neutral-related activities by implementing PCF solutions that use measurement data and other primary information to evaluate the impact of climate change over the entire product lifecycle.
With the passing of regulations such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) tariff and the introduction of the Digital Product Passport (DPP) tool, the need to support these policies is particularly urgent. To give process manufacturers the ability to calculate CO2 emissions for individual products, Yokogawa Digital, a Yokogawa subsidiary, has leveraged the company’s wealth of information and operational technology (IT and OT) to develop OpreX Carbon Footprint Tracer. By linking with the SAP Sustainability Footprint Management service, this solution enables the visualization and management of PCF based on carbon-neutral standards.
Product features include:
Key markets include oil and gas extraction and refining processes, pipelines and other transportation processes, plants for petrochemicals, chemicals, renewable energy, electric power, pulp and paper, food and pharmaceuticals, steel, non-ferrous metals, water distribution, water treatment, etc. Applications include plant monitoring, operation, control, data acquisition, record keeping, etc.
For more information, visit: https://www.yokogawa.com/solutions/solutions/connected-intelligence/oprex-cft
Digital service for AI-powered optimization of catalyst operation
Clariant, a sustainability-focused specialty chemical company, has released CLARITY Prime, an advanced digital service for syngas plants, an upgrade of its cloud-based service portal CLARITY.
Customers subscribing to the premium services benefit from automated catalyst health alerts and machine-learning-based performance projecting tools, combined with advanced technical support to improve the operation of Clariant catalysts. Indorama, as a part of its ongoing digitalization efforts, adds its process knowledge and expertise, becoming the first customer to implement the new CLARITY Prime service at its world-scale ammonia plant in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
CLARITY Prime is available for ammonia, methanol and hydrogen (H2) producers and empowers customers to forecast catalyst performance by combining actual data with predictive scenarios. This allows informed decision-making to improve catalyst operations based on desired timelines and economic considerations.
Indorama Eleme Fertilizer & Chemicals, a subsidiary of the Indorama Corporation, operates the world’s largest single-train ammonia plant in Nigeria and is the largest fertilizer producer in Sub-Saharan Africa. Its expansive production complex includes two ammonia plants with a capacity of 2,300 metric tpd and two urea plants producing 4,000 metric tpd.
CLARITY Prime is a software solution that combines enhanced customer support and advanced technology. The platform’s “Catalyst Health Alerting” service comprises numerous algorithms that continuously scan for deviations related to catalyst operation and automatically notify customers with guidance and mitigation solutions. Another important feature is the “Catalyst Performance Projection Tool,” which uses machine-learning to analyze current and historical operating data and catalyst activity to predict future performance. The interactive tool can be used to evaluate multiple “what if” scenarios and/or identify risks and optimization potentials. Through the platform’s service, customers receive dedicated and comprehensive expert support, reviews and catalyst performance evaluations. CLARITY Prime is available for any plant using Clariant’s ammonia, methanol or H2 plant catalysts, independent of process technology.
To learn more about Clariant’s digital service portal, visit CLARITY.
Innovative 360° safety system
Mammoet is working with Rietveld, a specialist in fleet management and vehicle and machine safety systems, on a joint project to protect drivers and road users when mobile cranes are moving and maneuvering.
The project combines three different safety technologies and was commissioned by Mammoet to support its customers to meet stricter safety regulations. Testing is being carried out on one of its new Liebherr LTM 1070-4.2 70t mobile cranes.
The three-tier system (FIG. 3) includes Rietveld’s OmniVue 360° camera system. Using a combination of cameras installed on the crane’s chassis, it generates real-time first- and third-person images of the vehicle. This gives the driver a full 360° view from both inside and outside the cab, enabling them to see what pedestrians and other road users are seeing.
The second tier adds a series of sensors that detect people and obstacles within an adjustable safety radius around the crane. When the sensors detect a potential hazard, an acoustic signal alerts the driver. An LED warning panel also displays the section of the crane where the motion was detected.
The final tier, the “Halo,” draws a light boundary on the floor around the crane, giving those nearby a clear visual indication of the safe zone around it. This is especially important at sites where hearing protection is required. The boundary can be switched on and off manually and is set to automatically turn off when a certain speed is reached.
By combining these three systems, Mammoet will improve safety, minimize accidents and damage, and give greater confidence to crane operators to create safer working environments.
For more information, visit www.mammoet.com.
Overcoming CO2 challenges with innovative ultrasonic sensors
Flaring, driven primarily by safety concerns, is a vital part of energy production, serving as a responsible alternative to releasing greenhouse gases (GHG) directly to the atmosphere. However, the presence of high concentrations of CO2 in the gas stream has long been an insurmountable challenge to achieving accurate measurements.
Fluenta has launched a new range of ultrasonic sensors called FlarePhase, available in three models with an industry-leading range of wide operating temperatures from −200°C to 350°C. These sensors were targeted, among other benefits, to overcome the specific challenges in measuring in high CO2.
In January 2024, Fluenta conducted a confirmation test at IPT Brazil that verified stable and accurate flow measurement in a composition with 99% CO2 flowing through a 10.5-in. pipe. In addition, Fluenta measured in a wide range of other gas compositions and conditions, demonstrating the accuracy of its proprietary physics modelling and predictive performance tool, which can accurately assess the performance of all Fluenta sensors in almost any process condition.
Fluenta flowmeters can measure flare gas with high CO2 concentrations in any pipe size up to 42 in. using appropriate sensor configurations. This breakthrough enables the company to support more companies with challenging installations in achieving dependable and accurate measurement.
The primary technique for measuring flare gas volumes with ultrasound relies on the time-of-flight principle to determine gas velocity. Placing two transducers, capable of sending and receiving signals, at an angle across a flare line allows accurate calculation of the flow velocity. However, CO2 strongly attenuates ultrasonic signals, which is a key technical challenge.
Flare gas with CO2 levels exceeding 40% has historically posed challenges for precise ultrasonic measurement. While ultrasonic measurement provides a much more accurate approach for assessing flare gas, it is essential to acknowledge that ultrasonic signals can be absorbed by CO2. This absorption effect is significant, with signal attenuation reaching extreme levels of up to 100,000 to 1, even in smaller pipe sizes.
Using a novel approach to this challenge, Fluenta has brought its extensive signal processing expertise to bear and has developed a proprietary physics-based tool to accurately predict performance in various process conditions. In practice, test measurements can only represent a limited portion of the gas compositions present in flare gas. Therefore, the challenge lies in measuring the diverse compositions encountered under various operating conditions. Flare gases typically exhibit different compositions depending on whether the facility operates under normal conditions, abnormal conditions or during blow-down scenarios. Fluenta’s tool calculates capability based upon combinations of up to 20 different gases at a full range of concentrations.
The testing, conducted at IPT Brazil, involved the construction of a 20-in. flow loop facility specially for Fluenta. To validate Fluenta’s CO2 modelling capabilities, the CO2 loop at IPT featured a 20-in. diameter pipe with spool diameters between 12 in. and 20 in. The maximum flow was 16,000m3/hr with linear flows of 68 m/sec for 12-in. pipe, 42 m/sec for 16-in. pipe and 27 m/sec for 20-in. pipe. The loop incorporated a heat exchanger to stabilize the gas temperature. A real-time analyzer and gas chromatograph verified the CO2/air mixtures up to 100% CO2.
For more information, visit: www.fluenta.com. GP&LNG