Motorized actuator and shutoff valve solution improves safety, reliability in combustion systems
Emerson has introduced the new ASCO™ Series 148/149 safety valve and motorized actuator (FIG. 1) designed for industrial fuel oil burner recirculation and safety shutoff applications. The new solution provides a reliable, versatile tool for industrial users to prevent overpressure, leaks and system malfunctions that can lead to health and safety incidents, with one configuration suited to a wide range of combustion system applications.
The valve and actuator are designed to be used together in one system for fuel oil recirculation as a safety shutoff. The combination is a compact two- and three-way system with a motorized actuator that achieves rapid, reliable fuel line shutoff from an open to closed position in less than 1 sec.
The system features a high-flow and high-pressure design that enhances heat output and meets approvals from Underwriter Laboratories (UL), Factory Mutual (FM) and Canadian Standards Association (CSA) certifications, improving fuel oil combustion system performance through higher pressure and media temperature tolerance.
It is engineered for robust and reliable operation in harsh outdoor environments, supporting an operating range from –40°F to 150°F (–40°C to 66°C). The valve’s high-pressure design makes it a versatile option for use across multiple fuel oil burner applications.
The ASCO Series 148/149 valve and actuator combination includes features that align with industry best practices—such as redundancy, leak testing ports and overpressure protection—strengthening the reliability of a critical piece of equipment found in burners and combustion systems throughout the manufacturing industry.
For more information, visit https://www.emerson.com/en-us/catalog/asco-148-149
Online calculator promotes energy efficiency savings
Businesses around the world face the goal of doubling progress towards energy efficiency by 2030 to meet COP28 emissions targets and cut energy costs. While there is optimism and appetite among businesses to invest in energy efficiency, barriers persist, including a lack of specialist resources.
To address this deficit and help businesses take the first step on their journey towards energy efficiency, ABB has launched an online calculator (FIG. 2) that offers easy access to data insight based on the energy performance of motor-driven systems. By inputting basic details about their motor fleet, running hours and average operating power, users can estimate energy and emissions savings, and payback period.
The online calculator is a light version of the in-depth energy efficiency audit used by ABB’s experts in a full study and is based on the same algorithm.
The calculator provides an initial estimate of the potential energy and cost savings achievable by upgrading pump and fan systems driven by low voltage direct online (DOL) motors that are installed without a variable-speed drive (VSD) to control their speed. The calculator focuses on low-voltage motors of efficiency class IE3 and below. It estimates the energy savings that could be achieved by upgrading to the latest motor and drive technology—the IE5 SynRM package—for optimal energy efficiency gains.
After seeing the potential results, the next step in the energy efficiency journey is a full energy efficiency audit, where ABB’s experts gather site-specific data to precisely identify an operator’s top opportunities for saving energy. Once an audit’s recommendations are implemented, the final step is to protect their investments with customized service agreements that keep their motors and drives operating efficiently and reliably through their lifetime.
To try the online energy efficiency calculator, click here.
New generation of innovative safety valves
German specialist for plastic line valves Richter Chemie-Technik has introduced a new version of its successful KSE series (FIG. 3), which meets all the newly increased requirements imposed on safety valves handling corrosive, toxic and high-purity liquids.
The KSE 3.0 plastic-lined safety valve bundles the safety awareness and expertise of the Kempen-based pump and valve specialists to optimize flow and simplify design for easier storage and assembly. The valve’s performance will enhance efficiency and cost-effectiveness over time.
This safety valve is suitable for highly explosive gases, vapors and liquids. A specialized KSE-C version is available for chlor-alkali applications. The inlet and outlet geometries, known as the leg dimensions, are the same as those in the previous model, ensuring a smooth replacement process.
RICHTER's engineers have enhanced the flow technology of the valve, using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations during the design phase that were validated through bench tests with water and air. Compared to the earlier KSE series, the KSE 3.0 valve is less sensitive to back pressure, and the pressure on the polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) bellows is significantly reduced. The innovative finite element method (FEM) optimization of the bellows allows for a simpler design, requiring only one bellow with semicircular folds per nominal size, instead of two in the previous KSE 2.0. This standardization simplifies inventory management and offers greater flexibility.
The component reduction affects not only the bellows but also the entire design structure. Only two sizes of lifting hoods are required for the whole series, and just one clamping screw per each of the two nominal valve sizes, covering the full pressure range. The spring plate no longer requires a bearing guide and retaining ring. The spindle guide with its screw connections and pins is also surplus to requirements. This reduction in components offers customers practical and logistical benefits, like easier assembly and maintenance, as well as space-saving storage without the risk of mixing up parts.
For sealing the valve bonnet, RICHTER relies on the proven labyrinth seal model, which seals permanently without retightening even with pressure and temperature cycles and does not need additional maintenance during operation. This chemical safety valve can operate in a wide range of temperatures, from –60°C to 180°C, depending on the set pressure. The new design no longer requires special versions for temperatures below –10°C.
RICHTER specializes in pumps and valves lined with perfluoroalkoxy (PFA). The PFA lining on the KSE 3.0 safety valve is homogeneous, with a defined thickness. The transparent plastic makes it easier to inspect visually. The new safety valve is certified according to TÜV regulations.
For more information, visit www.richter-ct.com.
Process oxygen analyzer precisely calculates biogas, natural gas and other gas streams in real time
KECO has introduced the OxyHound, a highly-efficient process gas analyzer that conducts real-time and continuous oxygen analysis of natural gas, biogas and other gas streams (FIG. 4). Utilizing optical quench luminescence technology for gaseous sampling, this cost-effective analyzer conducts precise oxygen measurements in a gaseous phase (ppmv and % on a molar basis) with no cross-sensitivity with carbon dioxide (CO2), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), ammonia (NH3), sulfur dioxide (SO2), sulfate or other ionic species.
The OxyHound technology is based on the phase modulation of an oxygen-specific luminophore's luminescent decay time, which enables accurate calculation of oxygen's partial pressure. The oxygen analyzer measures the phase shift and intensity variation between the excitation light and the fluorescent response. From these measurements, the analyzer’s onboard computer precisely calculates oxygen in real time.
With a user-friendly and low-maintenance design, the OxyHound eliminates the need for electrolyte changes or membrane maintenance. Utilizing KECO Cloud Connect, users can remotely monitor the analyzer on any web-connected device using LTE-M. These features as well as its versatility to work as an oxygen (O2) analyzer or oxygen meter (data logger) make the OxyHound an ideal replacement over older technologies like paramagnetic analyzers, electrochemical cells, and in some instances, zirconia and tunable diode lasers (TDLs).
Built for Division 2 and Zone 2 hazardous locations, the OxyHound operates in a range of environments with contaminants such as H2S, CO2, H2, propylene, methanol and ethanol mixtures. A reliable choice for indoor and outdoor settings, the gas analyzer serves various industries including refineries, natural gas pipelines, biogas, chemical plants, landfills, wastewater treatment, manufacturing, food and beverage, and renewables.
For example, in the oil and gas sector, the process gas analyzer can measure traces of O2 levels in various operations from vapor recovery units (VRUs) to enhanced oil recovery processes. In renewable energy applications, including biogas and ethanol production, the OxyHound excels in environments with contaminants such as H2S, CO2 and H2. In addition, the oxygen gas analyzer is ideal for manufacturing sectors, such as fiber optic production, annealing furnaces and more.
For more information, refer to https://liquidgasanalyzers.com/product/o2-analyzer/.
Technology enables customers to drive higher levels of operational excellence with new software capabilities
Aspen Technology Inc. (AspenTech) has introduced new and expanded capabilities for aspenONE®, the company’s portfolio of asset optimization solutions, spanning design, operations and maintenance. The latest version of aspenONE, V14.3, helps customers achieve new levels of operational excellence with expanded Industrial AI throughout the portfolio, additional integration of industrial data management across solutions and advancements in planning and scheduling capabilities.
With the release of V14.3, the planning and scheduling capabilities in Aspen Unified™ have been enhanced with Industrial AI to attain higher levels of optimization. This is accomplished by enabling schedulers to close the gap between planned and actual operations. Through unique, innovative and dynamic optimization capabilities, refining and olefins producers can streamline and integrate planning, scheduling and yield accounting, resulting in smaller deviations and faster remediation.
Additional highlights of V14.3 include:
For more information, visit What's New in V14 | AspenTech.
Simulation software redefines the hydrocarbon value chain
KBC (A Yokogawa Company) has launched its Petro-SIM® 7.5 process simulation software, a digital twin platform that supports diverse needs across the hydrocarbon value chain, from upstream to downstream and petrochemicals, and from design to operations.
Operators face challenges in maintaining the stability and efficiency of industrial operations due to feed property fluctuations, volatile prices and uncontrollable disturbances. This version introduces a real-time optimization (RTO) solution that optimizes production, energy use, emissions reduction, profitability, safety and reliability. It supports maximizing asset performance and sustainability building upon existing resources to optimize decarbonization efforts and return on investment (ROI).
KBC’s analysis shows many RTO systems rely on complex and only partially integrated subsystems. This level of complexity, combined with a shortage of expert resources, often causes low service factor due to maintenance challenges. The Petro-SIM 7.5 simulator with RTO enabled can leverage non-technical skills for long-term maintainability to maximize the software’s benefits.
The main benefits of the RTO tool in this new version include:
Additionally, Petro-SIM 7.5 software introduces an enhanced water electrolyzer model for more robust and accurate simulation of green hydrogen (H2) production processes to support sustainability initiatives.
By bridging virtual simulations with real-world scenarios, the platform not only bolsters operational resilience and production efficiency during uncertain times but also creates opportunities for growth and effective environmental, social and governance (ESG) management. These advancements in Petro-SIM 7.5 simulation software exemplify KBC’s capabilities to make plant operations more autonomous, economical and efficient.
For more information, visit https://www.kbc.global/process-optimization/technology/simulation-software/petro-sim-simulation-software/. HP