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:
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.
Tiered lifecycle offerings align service levels with unique end user needs
Control Station has expanded its client services capabilities with the rollout of Digital Lifecycle Solutions (DLS). The company is recognized as a leader in process analytic and optimization solutions. With the introduction of its DLS offerings, Control Station now empowers licensees of its products to maximize the value of their technology investments and achieve their reliability and sustainability goals.
Control Station users located in more than 70 countries are already familiar with the company’s PlantESP control loop performance monitoring (CLPM) solution and its capabilities for both monitoring operating conditions and suggesting optimal tuning values. The new DLS offerings build upon application services previously delivered to licensees of the PlantESP solution. Developed to align with different stages of a manufacturer’s operational journey, the enhanced services leverage PlantESP’s comprehensive proportional integral derivative (PID) control loop analytics to proactively analyze asset performance on a plant- or an enterprise-wide basis, apply advanced forensic and state-based analytics, and capitalize on intelligence captured by other on-premises and cloud-based computing and visualization platforms.
Users of advanced application technologies often struggle to capture the full potential of their investment due to a lack of training, overextended personnel or other issues. In addition to the technology becoming shelfware, licensees of these technologies fail to meet more essential goals of improved asset reliability and sustainability. Control Station’s DLS offerings address these challenges directly, assisting users to take full advantage of PlantESP’s capabilities and realize valuable and ongoing optimization results.
In collaboration with assigned project champions, the DLS offerings guide customers through three lifecycle phases: identify, implement and maintain. Each phase incorporates increasingly sophisticated methods of analysis and recommendations for corrective action. Customized DLS charters define the agreed-upon project scope and document both performance goals and resource commitments. As a strategic partner in the charter’s execution, Control Station’s engineering staff lend expert support through onsite and virtual means.
Process optimization is a specialty skill, and CLPM software like PlantESP has made extraordinary advances in helping users of all types find success. Control Station is now partnering with users through DLS to emphasize value addition through service excellence, helping process manufacturers further amplify the benefits of their optimization technology investments.
For more information, visit www.controlstation.com.
Solenoid meets industry demands for reliable, high-pressure fluid solutions
Spartan Scientific, a leading manufacturer of high-quality fluid and pneumatic automation components, has launched its innovative Series 5000 Operator System (FIG. 2). Designed to meet the demands of applications requiring higher pressures and increased flowrates, the Series 5000 fills a void in the market for reliable, high-performance solenoid solutions.
Featuring a range of orifice sizes from 0.6 mm–4 mm and available in both 2-way and 3-way configurations, the Series 5000 offers versatility to suit a wide range of industrial fluid applications. With options including DIN-spaded or flying lead coils, and a future provision for a 12-mm connection option, the system provides flexibility and ease of integration into existing setups.
Constructed with all stainless-steel tubes and multiple seal materials, the Series 5000 is engineered for durability and reliability in demanding environments. Its robust design ensures longevity and consistent performance, making it an ideal choice for critical applications across various industries.
Spartan Scientific is dedicated to providing top-quality fluid automation components, backed by extensive industry experience and expertise. As an ISO 9001-certified manufacturer, Spartan Scientific ensures adherence to the highest quality standards, offering peace of mind to customers worldwide.
For more information about the Series 5000 Operator System and other Spartan Scientific products, visit www.spartanscientific.com.
New high-precision pressure regulator
ControlAir LLC, a leading manufacturer of precision pneumatic and electro-pneumatic control products, has introduced its new Type 410 high-precision pressure regulator (FIG. 3). The Type 410 provides a high level of regulation accuracy and repeatability during variable operating conditions.
Designed with precision and reliability in mind, the Type 410 serves as a cost-effective yet highly efficient solution for controlling industrial processes. Despite its superior performance, the Type 410 remains an economical choice, making it perfect for high-volume original equipment manufacturer (OEM) applications where cost-effectiveness is paramount.
With its superior regulation characteristics, the Type 410 consistently meets control requirements, even amidst fluctuating operating conditions. Built to withstand the harshest industrial environments, the Type 410 features die-cast housings protected with a chromate finish and epoxy paint, ensuring long-lasting durability and performance. Every regulator undergoes rigorous pressure, leak and flow tests at the factory before shipment, guaranteeing exceptional quality and reliability straight out of the box.
The Type 410’s combination of stability, reliability and precision makes it well-suited for a wide range of industrial applications where precise air pressure regulation is critical to performance and productivity. Applications include pneumatic control systems, pressure testing equipment, HVAC systems, laboratory instrumentation and packaging machinery.
The Type 410 high-precision air pressure regulator is available in ¼-in. porting. Output ranges include 0 psig–2 psig (0 bar–0.15 bar), 0 psig–10 psig (0 bar–0.7 bar), 0 psig–30 psig (0 bar–2 bar), 0 psig–60 psig (0 bar–4 bar) and 0 psig–100 psig (0 bar–7 bar). Exhaust capacity is 0.1 ft3/min (2.8 Nl/min), downstream pressure is 5 psig (0.3 bar) above set point, sensitivity is 1 in. (25.4 mm), and air consumption is less than 6 ft3/hr (170 Nl/min). The regulator has a wide temperature range of –18ºC to 71ºC (0°F–160°F).
For more information, visit www.controlair.com.
A high-temperature perfluoroelastomer (FFKM) sealing material
Precision Polymer Engineering (PPE), one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high-performance molded elastomer seals, has developed Perlast® G77X – a perfluoroelastomer (FFKM) sealing material combining high temperature performance with exceptional low compression set (FIG. 4).
Perlast G77X has been engineered for long-term performance and durability in a range of critical applications, including chemical processing, aerospace and in mechanical seals. The material can be molded into O-rings and custom shapes.
Perlast G77X offers class-leading, high-temperature performance (up to 350°C) as well as excellent response to temperature cycling effects. When combined with an exceptionally low compression set over extended periods, and the chemical resistance typical of FFKM materials, Perlast G77X emerges as a strong choice for any critical high-temperature application. With the improvements in performance and reliability expected from upgrading to Perlast G77X, customers can expect to see significant reductions in operational downtime and cost of ownership.
The company says that adding Perlast G77X as the sixth member of the Perlast family of FFKM sealing materials is significant. It means that whatever temperatures or chemistries are involved, PPE can offer a high-performance material grade that will exceed expectations. Perlast G77X has been tested externally to AMS 7257 Rev E, and the material will be listed on the PRI-QPL database.
For more information, visit High Performance Elastomer Seals | Precision Polymer Engineering (prepol.com).
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 (NH3) plant in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
CLARITY Prime is available for NH3, methanol (CH3OH) 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. The company’s advanced tools and services provide customers the edge they need in today’s competitive market.
The CLARITY Prime software solution 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 NH3, CH3OH or H2 plant catalysts, independent of process technology.
Indorama states that the initial implementation of CLARITY at its plant was an ideal match for its digitalization strategy as it enhanced the collaboration with Clariant’s catalyst experts. Indorama Eleme Fertilizer & Chemicals, a subsidiary of the Indorama Corp., 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.
To learn more, visit CLARITY.
Robot operations solution for enhanced safety and efficiency at manufacturing sites
Yokogawa Electric Corp. has developed and released its OpreX™ Robot Management Core, a software application in the OpreX Asset Management and Integrity family.
OpreX Robot Management Core is a key product in the Yokogawa robot operations solution. By integrating the management of various types of robots that perform plant maintenance tasks conventionally carried out by humans, this software will help customers maintain their facilities in a safer and more efficient manner. In addition, when connected to a plant’s control and safety systems, it enables the utilization of manufacturing site data that has been acquired by robots, and the issuing of procedural instructions to robots, thus enabling the first step to be taken toward autonomous plant operations.
In oil and gas, chemical and other manufacturing plants, some routine tasks must be carried out in high-risk locations, such as facility inspection work at heights, in enclosed spaces and in hazardous environments. The shortage of personnel to operate plant equipment and facilities is also an issue. There is a growing need for robots that can move autonomously around plants, take over data collection tasks that have been performed by human personnel and undertake other tasks that exceed human limitations.
At the same time, in plants that have been designed around people, there is a need for the efficient management of different types of robots to carry out a variety of tasks. In response to this need, Yokogawa began discussions with robot manufacturers in 2019 and then developed a prototype robot management and operations platform that has since been used in proof-of-concept field tests with several customers. Leveraging the experience gained through these tests, Yokogawa has developed this software to make it easier to introduce robots in plants.
OpreX Robot Management Core is a software application that improves safety and efficiency in plant maintenance operations by facilitating the utilization of robots. Depending on customer requirements, it can be provided for use in either an on-premises or cloud environment. Product features include:
The development of OpreX Robot Management Core enables Yokogawa to fully roll out its robot operations solution aimed at increasing workplace safety. By providing consulting, assistance in the selection and procurement of hardware and software from strategic partners and other sources, and engineering, operational support and other services, Yokogawa can help customers resolve issues encountered in their businesses and can develop specific robot and drone applications. Through this one-stop solution, Yokogawa will ensure the reliability, availability and sustainability of robot operations and help to achieve autonomous plant operations.
In the future, support will be added to the software for a wider selection of robots as well as drones. Yokogawa will also develop applications that utilize AI technology and enhance functions to enable, among other things, the issuance to robots of instructions that are linked to control system work procedures.
For more information, visit https://www.yokogawa.com/solutions/solutions/asset-management-and-integrity/robot-management-core/. HP