Atlas Copco’s new GHS 1402-2002 VSD+ series is based on the firm’s existing range of GHS VSD+ variable speed-driven oil-injected screw vacuum pumps. Designed for better performance, optimal oil separation, a smaller footprint and an innovative new controller, the solution proves beneficial for Industry 4.0.

How a desalination plant uses the most sustainable and available energy source to generate fresh drinking water — Seawater desalination has a large ecological footprint, as the processes used to generate fresh water from brine or seawater are energy intensive an often rely on fossil fuels. Luckily, the arid regions that rely on desalination the most have one resource in abundance: sunlight. Can solar power bring green drinking water to the Middle East?

Grab sampling is an important function in industrial fluid systems, but a few common problems can negatively impact efficiency, representativeness, and operator safety.

In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has regularly hit the headlines: in 2016, it beats Grandmaster Lee Sedol in playing Go, and in 2018, the auction house Christie's auctioned off the first artwork created by artificial intelligence, "Portrait of Edmond de Belamy", for over 400,000 dollars. And today the AI-based text generator GPT-3 from the research laboratory Open AI, co-founded by Elon Musk, is said to flood the web with fake news through machine-generated posts but what about industrial applications of artificial intelligence? What are the opportunities and challenges of AI in the process industry?

Losan Pharma adds a new granulation line for pellet manufacturing to an existing production: The process of upgrading existing inventory means an intervention into existing production facilities, so it requires surgical precision. The combination of existing machinery with new equipment, which can only be allowed to take up an extremely limited amount of space, is a real challenge for everyone involved in the project. The practice report describes the concept design and installation of a mixer/granulator for pellet production.

The KSB Group will be showcasing numerous solutions for water and waste water applications at a soon to be held trade fair in Germany. Some of the innovations that will be exhibited at the show include the new UPA S 200 8-inch well pump, the new KSB Delta Macro SVP pressure booster systems and the firm’s classic water supply pump.

Pfeiffer Vacuum has expanded its Oktaline Atex series of explosion-proof Roots pumps. These pumps are Atex-certified and can be used for low and medium vacuum applications. The expansion of the series leads to a large pumping speed range from 280 to 8,100 m3/h.

China is introducing standards for machine vision. Export controls for high technology have been tightened for the first time since 2008.

Edwards has unveiled its intelligent vacuum pump controller with cloud connectivity and control for industrial vacuum pumps and systems. A one-stop solution, the vacuum controller provides all the necessary pump information and metrics in one place.

China has recently launched the biggest reform of its oil and gas industry in the last twenty years. Last week, the newly formed state-owned company Pipechina began purchasing the Chinese gas pipeline network. According to the Chinese state media, the company, also known as the "China Oil and Gas Pipeline Network", is acquiring Sinopec's Yulin-Jinan pipeline for 47.9 billion euros.