Impressive modularisation concepts for the engineering of technical gases plants  — From coolants, protection gas or additive in refreshing drinks — CO2 gets industry experts and customers sparkling with excitement. Also plant engineers have set their sights on this versatile molecule: Technology specialists are turning to modular plant design for the production of technical gases. In fact, LCO2 plants (LCO2 = liquid CO2; liquid carbon dioxide) from the construction kit have several advantages.

Non-invasive flow measurement based on ultrasonic sensors mounted on the outside of a pipe is no longer a well-guarded secret. Clamp-on solutions have now reached the mainstream. We discuss two non-invasive measurement technology applications in titanium dioxide production to highlight the advantages of high-performance ultrasonic measurement systems.

Energy-aware dairy plant cuts costs – Schneider Electric has designed innovative solutions for the dairy industry, which reduces energy consumption by improved controls through its tested validated documented control blocks.

Gardner Denver Thomas has once again expanded the product platforms of the “Jade” miniature diaphragm pumps. The model series Jade 1410 and 1420 are now equipped with electronically commutated motors (BLDC). This provides unique advantages for the user, the company says.

Cole-Parmer’s industry exclusive technology, Masterflex Live Cloud-enabled pumps, brings the Internet of Things (IoT) to pump applications, providing pump operators with the ability to remotely control and monitor pumps via the internet — without the need to be onsite. This feature has now been enhanced with 21 CFR Part 11 and EU Annex 11 compliance, so that robust security, data control, and electronic records are possible with low-cost subscription.

Guided Wave Radar (GWR) transmitters are often favoured devices, as they — unlike traditional mechanical technologies — virtually have no moving parts, reducing maintenance costs and extending operational life. Many GWR installations require a separate instrument chamber, and choosing the right chamber is important for rapid installation, accurate measurements and reliability.

Some people see the glass as half full, some as half empty. Neither approach is inherently bad, it’s just two different ways of looking at things. If a pipe is only 50 percent full, however, and you want to measure flowrate, the problem is more than just one of terminology. As one US utility company found, few instruments can accurately measure flow in a part-full pipe.

Lined pumps are an economical alternative to metallic magnetic drive pumps for a whole series of applications, as the following example from real life shows.

Handling demanding media just got easier: A new pump technology expands the range of applications — A technology that till now was only available for the continuous operation with expensive process pumps makes its debut on the mass market: A new double hose-diaphragm pump provides in-built compressor and bypass flow control for pressure ranges up to 16 bar.

They are green, they grow fast, they are powerful — microalgae are, so to say, small versions of the incredible Hulk. And they have their superhero story, too. Follow us on a trip to a biobased micro-world …