A blog intended to educate and inform those interested in industrial control instrumentation and process control equipment. Weekly posts on various subjects ranging from pressure / temperature / level and flow instruments, control valves, analytical instruments, drives and actuators, recorders, and process weighing.
For more information, visit the Power Specialties website or call (816) 353-6550
Thermal Flow Meters with Superior Technology
PowerPro™ Sensor
Used in Fox Thermal Models FT2A and FT3, the Fox Thermal PowerPro™ Sensor operates at a higher power level than other competitive thermal technologies, providing better response time and wider turndown. Compared to a typical Differential Pressure(DP) type flowmeter (see inset), thePowerPro™ sensor offers better low flow or low-end sensitivity. The PowerPro™ sensor also provides exceptional accuracy at high velocities - up to 60,000 SFPM air.
DDC-Sensor™ Technology
The Fox Thermal DDC-Sensor™ is a new state-of-the-art sensor technology used in the FT1, FT4A, and FT4X flow meters. The DDC-Sensor™ is a Direct Digitally Controlled sensor that is interfaced directly with the microprocessor for more accuracy, speed, and programmability. Like thePowerPro™ Sensor, the DDC-Sensor™accurately responds to changes in process variables (gas flow rate, pressure, and temperature), which are used by the microprocessor to determine mass flow rate, totalized flow, and temperature.
Constant Temperature Differential
Fox Thermal flow meters use a constant temperature differential (ΔT) technology to measure air and gases' mass flow rate. The thermal mass flow sensor consists of two Resistance Temperature Detectors (RTDs). The sensor elements are constructed of a reference-grade platinum wire around ceramic mandrels inserted into a stainless steel or Hastelloy tubes.
Level, Distance and Position Measurement of Solids and Liquids Up to 164ft (50m) - The Hawk OptioLaser L100
The Hawk Measurement Systems OptioLaser L100 is a non-contact laser sensor that measures the distance between solid and liquid surfaces, slurries, and muddy water. From a metal plate on the side of an overhead crane to the top of material contained in a silo, solid surfaces may be anything. Use the OptioLaser for both distance or level measurement through an easy-to-use menu system, and its high precision, long-range, and quick update rate make it an ideal sensor for a wide range of applications.
OptioLaser L100 Features:
- Non-contact measurements with laser technology
- 303 stainless steel housing
- Measurement range up to 50m (164ft)
- Continuous measurement with a resolution of 10mm
- NAMUR compliant 4-20mA output
- Two normally open relay outputs
- Easy configuration via USB
OptioLaser L100 Applications:
- Shaft
- Bypass
- Basin
- Stilling Well
- Sewage Plant
- Other
- Tank or Vessel
OptioLaser L100 Specifications:
- Accuracy: <0.1% of full range at 20ºC (68ºF)
- Maximum Range: up to 50m (164ft)
- Operating Temp: -20ºC to 60ºC (-4ºF to 140ºF)
- Resolution: 10mm (0.39in)
Valves for the Food and Beverage Industry
Valve selection in food and beverage processing is essential for maintaining quality and consistency. Does the application require the valve to contact the product directly, or is it indirectly influencing the process? Does the valve require special cleaning procedures or located away from areas where contamination is a concern?
Food and beverage industry valves are used in a wide range of applications to regulate steam, hot water, refrigerants, CIP cleaning media, or gases required for temperature control during sterilization, autoclaving, carbonation, or pasteurization of different products. They are also found in fermentation, smoking, cleaning, drying processes, freshwater supply, brine, or wastewater.
Schubert and Salzer manufacturers a wide range of valves used in food and beverage processing. Their products include:
- Sliding-Gate Control Valves
- Aseptic Right Angle Valves
- Pinch Valves
- Shut off Valves
DOWNLOAD THE SCHUBERT & SALZER FOOD AND BEVERAGE INDUSTRY PRODUCT BROCHURE HERE
For more information about Schubert & Salzer in Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, and Nebraska, contact Power Specialties, Inc., call them at (816) 353-6550, or visit their website https://powerspecialties.com.
Probe Type Tunable Diode Laser Spectrometer TDLS8100
Yokogawa’s new TDLS8100 continues to house all of the industry’s leading features from the TDLS8000 but now only requiring a single-flange installation. An in-situ measurement with a probe removes sample extraction and conditioning requirements and is ideal for various aggressive process conditions.
Built upon Yokogawa’s second generation of TDLS analyzers, the platform still retains its improved reliability, ease of installation, and reduced maintenance requirements. Still, it now does so with a lower total installed cost for O2, CO/CH4, and NH3 measurements.
Power Specialties, Inc.
https://powerspecialties.com
(816) 353-6550
BLH Tank Mount Series
BLH Nobel introduced its new Tank Mount Series of weighing equipment for process weighing applications. The new series includes three different fully standardized weigh modules with off-the-shelf availability in capacities up to 200 tons and various suitable junction boxes and instruments. It is an integrated solution for accurate and repeatable weighing of materials for multiple applications such as large silos, vessels, small ingredient storage bins, and clean-in-place batching processes.
Tank Mount Series Markets:
- Chemical
- Food and Beverage
- Pharmaceutical
- Pulp and Paper
Known for its customizable, high-accuracy, smart weighing solutions, BLH Nobel is an established leader in process weighing. The Tank Mount Series provides end-users as well as system integrators and OEMs a cost-competitive solution, consisting of two low and one high capacity range weigh modules with mV/V output:
With capacities up to 5 ton/tonnes, the metric TankMount weigh module and its imperial counterpart EconoMount weigh module are both well suited for general industrial applications that require retrofitting on existing structures or converting hoppers into a scale. The weigh modules are rated IP 67 or better as a standard, with ATEX, FM, NEMA4, OIML, and NTEP, Class III, and IIIL certified versions available as an option.
With the KDH5 weigh module, the Tank Mount Series covers larger capacity needs up to 200 tons at accuracy levels of 0.075% of Rated Output. Its compact and robust mechanical design features an integrated tilt guard for easy installation. The weigh module is ideal for heavy silo weighing applications or weighbridges and offered as ATEX, IECEx, or FM approved versions at no additional cost. Higher capacities and EN 1090 compliant versions are also available.
BLH Nobel offers various suitable junction boxes and instruments to provide complete weighing solutions in a one-stop-shop. For example, the WIN5 weigh indicator is well suited for simple applications, which can benefit from its stainless steel enclosure, the high-contrast 6-digit LED display, and the operating pushbuttons are supporting tare weight zero settings of empty vessels. The G5 DIN Rail Mount satisfies advanced process weighing and control instrument needs. It is available as a DIN Rail version with an integrated display and functional keypad, easy navigation, and control directly at the production facility. The G5 instrument family's modular hardware supports a wide variety of communication options via Ethernet, RS485, USB, Fieldbus, and analog output - for full flexibility.
Power Specialties, Inc.
https://powerspecialties.com
(816) 353-6550
Airflow Control in Industrial Drying and Coating Processes
In drying and coating processes in the chemical, petrochemical, mining, pharmaceutical, and food and beverage markets, millions of dollars are continuously lost in the operation of fluidized beds, rotary drums, flash dryers, kilns, and similar processes. Because of improper air flow and product feed rates, these devices' failure causes quality problems, causing downtime and loss of both goods and profits. When operating this equipment, it's vital to control airflow.
Challenges in Industrial Drying and Coating
1) Improving Production Efficiency and Quality
Precise control of airflow and air temperature is essential to maintain high product quality, reduce waste, and increase uptime. Any off-specification product must be recycled or wasted. This process is too costly. The performance of many processes would benefit from measuring the mass flow of process air. Also, limited flow meter turndown often constrains operational flexibility - primarily when requirements cover a wide range of operating conditions.2) Dealing with Limited Straight Pipe Runs
Airflow meters incorporated into process equipment are often inaccurate due to the short upstream and downstream straight pipe run. The installation of a good straight run can quickly become problematic in tight quarters, so other solutions are needed.3) Reducing Plugging and Coating
Most process equipment designs do not include relatively dirty exhaust flow measurements, even though they can provide significant operational benefits. They are often not included because exhaust flow meters can become coated and plugged when particulates are present — reducing flow meter accuracy.How can vital processes and equipment that need to work within tight tolerances over a broad operating range be supported with continuous air mass flow at a controlled air temperature?Products from Air Monitor solve these issues by enhancing the reliability of your airflow meters by improving their accuracy over a wide range of flow rates, thus improving the process's efficiency, improving the product's consistency, and increasing production rates to reduce fuel spending.
For more information, contact Power Specialties. Call them at (816) 353-6550 or visit their website at https://powerspecialties.com.






