Abstract
Study Finds Niche Segments Offering New Opportunities for European Process Mixing
A new analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.frost.com), titled ‘European Process Mixing Equipment Market’, finds that the market earned revenues of £473 million in 2013 and estimates this to reach £538 million in 2018.
Process mixing is essential in the manufacture of various products in a large number of process industries. Since mixing requires the right amount of technique and technology to achieve its ultimate goal of a homogenous mixture, choosing the right equipment is crucial.
As industrial growth intensifies in Europe, rising investments in the food and beverage and pharmaceutical industries will bolster the process mixing equipment market in the region. New application areas such as bioreactors, fine chemistry and vaccine manufacturing will give a further boost to the market.
Frost & Sullivan Industrial Automation and Process Control Program Manager Ashwin Annareddy said, The need for greater plant automation in niche applications will be a key driver for the process mixing equipment market. With high scope for technological advancement, the future for mixing equipment manufacturers in Europe is secure.
However, growth – the new study finds – will be tempered by the uncertain economic condition in Europe, which has stalled new projects. Longer life expectancy of high-quality, reliable equipment too will restrict the procurement of new equipment and reduce replacement rates.
Furthermore, the development of Eastern Europe as an industrial hub and the large-scale transfer of process plants to Poland and Romania will affect the market in Western Europe, particularly the replacement and services segment. Mixer manufacturers must expand their sales and after-sales presence in Eastern Europe to take advantage of this shift and sustain margins.
For more information, email
Measuring Sulphur in Farthest Reaches of the Solar System
Last month, the European Space Agency landed an analyser-sized probe called Philae on a comet known as Comet 67P – the first time that a human-made object had ever soft-landed on a comet.
The Rosetta orbiter, the probe’s delivery vehicle, travelled over 6.4 billion miles to rendezvous with the comet, which is a sort of dirty iceberg.
Now, the scientists involved are using Rosetta and Philae to study, among other things, the chemistry of comets. Based on previous measurements from telescopes, we know the nuclei of comets are made up mostly of dust, rock and water ice. Small amounts of organic compounds such as hydrogen cyanide (HCN), formaldehyde (CH2O), mercaptans and aromatics are also present.
Earlier this autumn, while orbiting Comet 67P, the mass spectrometers onboard Rosetta detected the presence of hydrogen sulphide (H2S), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and carbon disulphide (CS2). It seems that the need for sulphur analysers is not bound to the earth, or even our solar system.
Sulphur compounds are everywhere, from our back yard to the farthest reaches of the solar system. Every day, Applied Analytics delivers equipment for measuring sulphur compounds across the globe.
H2S and SO2 occur abundantly in fossil fuel reserves and are produced by various biological processes. So as to generate clean-burning fuels, to prevent acid rain, to protect pipelines from corrosion and to keep workers safe from disaster, H2S and SO2 levels are constantly monitored and controlled in refineries and sulphur recovery plants.
The Rosetta orbiter blasts off nearly a decade ago (illustration by ESA Science & Technology)
Built around a high-resolution UV-Vis spectrophotometer, the OMA process analyser from Applied Analytics monitors the absorbance of a liquid or gas sample and outputs real-time concentration readings. Using fibre optics to transmit the signal to and from the sample, the OMA design is inherently safe and convenient.
The TLG-837 Tail Gas analyser takes this measurement technique a step further. The TLG-837 is a solid state, in situ solution for monitoring Claus process efficiency in the Sulphur Recovery Unit. The critical point of innovation is the patented in situ probe, which automatically condenses sulphur vapour out of the sample gas in a controlled manner, and so neutralising the problem that cripples most tail gas analysers.
Comet 67P seen in close-up by the Rosetta mission (illustration by ESA Science & Technology)
The Rosetta lander Philae goes off to land on the comet, as depicted by this artist’s impression (illustration by ESA Science & Technology)
Transmitter Improves Smart Field Products Capabilities
Honeywell Process Solutions’ (HPS) new SmartLine Guided Wave Radar Level transmitter can measure the level and volume of liquids inside processing tanks up to 49 m (160 feet) in height. This transmitter features a new Application Validation Tool, which allows customers to input technical data about their specific process tank and to validate that the correct level transmitter application is delivered to the site ready to install out of the box.
The transmitter uses the same proven platform, modular design and ease of use as the pressure and temperature transmitters, which helps facilities manage cost by reducing inventory, speeding start-up. In addition, with the Application Validation Tool, operators can have complete confidence that the level transmitter ordered will be the correct one for the tank application, says the company.
New from Honeywell Process Solutions is the SmartLine Guided Wave Radar Level transmitter
There is a choice of a basic alphanumeric display or an advanced graphics display. The latter can show process data in graphical formats and communicating messages from the control room, and also offers multiple languages and full integration with Honeywell’s flagship Experion process control system.
Field instruments are used throughout industrial plants to measure and transmit critical data points from throughout the processes to the control room. Large industrial complexes, such as those for refining crude oil or producing chemical products, can employ thousands of these devices within their manufacturing processes.
The SmartLine range works with all control systems, but when integrated with Honeywell’s Experion PKS, operators can benefit from extended diagnostics, a maintenance status display, transmitter messaging and a tamper alert.
Sensing Pressure in Hazardous Areas
The range of high-performance pressure sensors from Kistler Instruments (http://www.kistler.com) is now available certified for use in ATEX Zone 0, intrinsically safe, and Zone 2, non-incendive hazardous areas. These devices use a new, patented double lip sealing method that eliminates the need for an O-ring seal and ensures accuracy and reliability where extremely high temperature, vibration and shock are likely.
Contained in a high-integrity housing, the piezoresistive sensing element is isolated from the pressure media by a welded 316L stainless steel or Hastelloy diaphragm. Integrated surface mount electronics provide signal conditioning and temperature compensation.
The three ranges consist of absolute (Type 4260A), gauge (Type 4262A) and differential (4264A) pressure sensors all with an accuracy of up to 0.05% FS and long-term stability of 0.1% FS per year. Every sensor is fully tested over both pressure and temperature ranges to ensure compliance with the appropriate specification. These calibration data, traceable to ISO 17025, are available for all versions.
The new Kistler ranges consist of absolute (Type 4260A), gauge (Type 4262A) and differential (4264A) pressure sensors
Kistler Instruments says that the typical applications include R&D, industrial, automotive and aerospace component, and system testing and a wide range of electrical and pressure connections are available.
Production Test Innovations Demonstrated at Electronica 2014
Cobham Wireless, formerly the Aeroflex wireless business unit, demonstrated its latest radio frequency (RF), wireless and automatic test equipment (ATE) products at the Electronica exhibition in Munich at the end of 2014.
Among the equipment on show was the new Fast Measurement Option 194, which enables PXI 3000 Series users to perform power measurements more quickly. This results, says the company, in drastically reduced test times when testing RFIC power amplifiers. Typically a 57% reduction in servo loop time can be achieved when the PXI 3030 Series RF Digitiser with Option 194 is applied to a long-term evolution (LTE) signal.
There was also a live demonstration of an automatic test system that combines a 5800 ATE system with PXI 3000 Series modular RF test instrumentation to add RF measurements to Cobham Wireless’ combinational test platform strategy.
Also featured was the 2201 ProLock Phone Tester, a cost-effective test instrument for 2G and 3G mobile phones and wireless data cards, which is now being widely adopted for the RF validation of M2M modems. An application note on M2M RF testing is available to download at http://bit.ly/M2M_AppNote
Finally, the firm showed the new SPS-8 USB power sensor, designed for use with the S-Series RF signal generators and signal analysers. The SPS has a wide dynamic range over the entire frequency range from 10 MHz to 8 GHz and is capable of making real-time measurements at a rate of 2000 readings per second.
For more information, call +44 (0)1438 742200 or email
Beta Drivers for ‘Scopes Run on Raspberry Pi Development Boards
New from Pico Technology are beta drivers for its oscilloscope and data logging devices to run on the ARM-based BeagleBone Black and Raspberry Pi development boards.
These drivers give programmers access to a wide range of compact, economical USB oscilloscopes and data loggers, including high-speed instruments having bandwidths up to 500 MHz, high-resolution 12-bit and 16-bit oscilloscopes and deep-memory types featuring buffer sizes up to 512 MS.
Most PicoScope oscilloscopes also offer advanced digital triggering, fast block-mode and streaming-mode data capture and a built-in signal generator or arbitrary waveform generator. The data logger range includes multichannel voltage loggers, eight-channel thermocouple loggers and the educational DrDAQ multifunction logger.
Separate driver packages and snippets of C code are available for Raspbian and Debian systems. Similar code could be developed in C-compatible programming languages such as C++, Java and JavaScript.
For further information, go to: http://www.picotech.com/support/topic14649.html
High-Quality Imaging Is Affordable
High-quality digital microscopy is now more accessible than ever with the new five megapixel SC50 microscope camera from Olympus. It brings, according to the company, fast Full HD live imaging and more to a wide range of routine applications.
Designed for the convenience of everyday use and ideal under low light conditions, this microscope camera uses complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) chip technology to deliver improved speed, sensitivity and resolution – all at an affordable price.
Achieving Full HD images at 32 fps, high-speed imaging with the SC50 captures and records dynamic events. The camera delivers clear, high-quality images to nearly every kind of monitor or projector, ready to be further analysed or shared with an audience and enhancing a range of applications throughout both life and materials science.
Preventing the dispersal of light before it hits each pixel, the sensor’s ‘Light Guide’ technology boosts the light sensitivity of the camera, with lower exposure times enabling clear image acquisition in low light, as well as high-speed imaging.
The new five megapixel SC50 microscope camera from Olympus
Noise is kept under control with Olympus Smart Image Averaging technology. While noise is virtually eliminated from the acquired image, the noise reduction algorithm cleverly detects sample movement and protects against ‘trail’ artefacts.
Olympus says that these features, and more, make this the ideal camera for everyday use in the laboratory.
For more information, go to: http://www.olympus-europa.com/microscopy/en/microscopy/components/component_details/component_detail_100032.jsp. Alternatively, use the printed quick response (QR) code with your smartphone or tablet.
Most UK Adults Fear Cyber Attacks, Says Global Survey
More than 7 in 10 surveyed adults (71%) across Great Britain say they are fearful that cyber hackers are carrying out attacks on major industries and sectors of the economy in their country, according to the results of a new study by HPS, a leader in automation and control systems for a variety of industries.
Almost 4 in 10 British respondents do not believe that it is possible to stop all the cyber attacks, and 48% think the cyber hackers will simply continue to attack until they find a way to get past any security. Moreover, 32% don’t have faith in their country’s ability to keep up with cyber attacks because they feel that the government and other organisations are not taking these threats seriously enough.
These are just a few of the findings of a poll conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs Research, in September 2014. A sample of 5065 adults across 10 countries was interviewed online. This included around 500 interviews in each of Australia, Mexico, Russia, Brazil, China, India, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Michael Chertoff, co-founder and executive chairman of the Chertoff Group, and former head of the US Department of Homeland Security, commented, Cyber attacks are a clear and present threat to every industry, in every country throughout the world. This threat is real and industries need a proactive and coordinated approach to protect their assets as well as their intellectual property. We have seen a number of attacks to critical industries in areas like the Middle East and the US and these have had major impacts on their operations.
The British government estimates that cyber security breaches at UK energy companies alone cost those companies about £400 million every year. In the United States, the Department of Homeland Security said that more than 40% of industrial cyber attacks targeted the energy industry in 2012, the last full year reported.
Over more than a decade, HPS has developed and delivered cyber security technology and solutions to industrial customers around the world through its Honeywell Industrial Cyber Security organisation. This team has delivered more than 500 industrial cyber security projects integrated with its process automation solutions which are used at sites such as refineries, chemical plants, gas processing units, power plants, mines and mills.
Indeed, HPS has just established the Honeywell Industrial Cyber Security Lab near Atlanta, Georgia, USA. The lab will expand the company’s research capabilities and will feature a model of a complete process control network which Honeywell cyber security experts will leverage to develop, test and certify industrial cyber security solutions. This lab will help accelerate proprietary research and development of new cyber technologies and solutions to help defend industrial facilities, operations and people.
News in Brief
Engineering Council removes institution licence
The Engineering Council has announced that on 23 October, its Quality Assurance Committee (QAC) decided to withdraw the licence of the Institution of Diesel and Gas Turbine Engineers (IDGTE) with immediate effect. This move is because of a number of concerns, according to the Engineering Council. It means that IDGTE can no longer assess members for inclusion on the national register of professional engineers and technicians. In order for members of IDGTE who are currently registered as Engineering Technician (EngTech) to retain their professional status, the organisation is following the recommendation by QAC to apply for approval as a Professional Affiliate (PA) of the Engineering Council. Once approved, IDGTE will be able to set up the relevant Registration Agreement with one of the licenced institutions to register members through that institution.
IEC 61850 native computer for precise time synchronisation
The new DA-820 industrial computer’s main operating system is based on the lntel Quad core i7-3612QE CPU and QM77 chipset, which supports standard X86, 2 VGA, USB, 4 Gigabit LAN ports, 2 RS/232/422/485 three-in-one serial port. DA-820 is equipped with 4 SATA disk interface and by default supports RAID 0/1/5/10 function. The DA-820 is specifically designed for substation applications that require precise time synchronisation and the IEC 61850-3 standards. In addition, design flexibility means that the DA-820 is also suitable for local SCADA, environmental monitoring, video surveillance, protocol conversion and parallel redundancy protocol/high availability seamless redundancy (PRP/HSR) applications. In addition, the cyber security function makes the DA-820 the ideal solution for secured network communication.
Multiparameter field device is highly flexible
The Liquiline CM448 from Endress+Hauser (http://www.uk.endress.com) is a digital multiparameter transmitter for process monitoring and controlling in any application. This simple to commission and maintain eight-channel controller saves time and money by offering ‘seamless’ system integration, simple operation and a reduced need for spare part stock. It can be adapted to the measuring task and connected to one to eight sensors, as desired. The new device provides users with the benefits of a best-in-class transmitter platform, from clever simplicity to maximum process safety. Communication protocols and interfaces catered for include 0/4–20 mA, HART, PROFIBUS DP, Modbus TCP/Modbus RS485, EtherNet/IP and Webserver.