New vacuum distillation packing
New BXPlus metal wire gauze packing is designed for uses in vacuum distillation where minimal pressure drop per theoretical stage is crucial.
At the lower and upper portion of each packing element, the angle of the corrugation gradually approaches vertical, resulting in s-shape geometry. Because of this modification, the direction of the vapor flow smoothly changes at the interface between two elements.
This smoother flow leads to a reduction of the vapor flow velocity and shear forces, resulting in a decreased liquid holdup at the element transition.
The net result is a reduction of pressure drop while providing the same separation efficiency as the predecessor Sulzer BX.
BXPlus was developed to be applied at column top pressures of 1-100 mbar where high separation efficiency at extremely low pressure drop is required.
This packing is ideally operated at relatively low vapor and liquid loads. In applications where a short residence time is critical to prevent degrading of heat sensitive products, BXPlus is suitable, the firm notes.
Because of its self-wetting wire gauze material, the packing provides liquid distribution even at very low liquid loads. Application examples are distillation of plastic monomers, ethylene glycols, and ethanol amines.
BXPlus is suited for revamping existing columns equipped with conventional gauze packings to increase bottom product quality at a given capacity or to increase capacity while maintaining a constant bottom temperature, the company says.
Source: Sulzer Chemtech USA Inc., 4106 New West Drive, Pasadena, TX 77507.
New 4 in. diameter pressure gauge
An all stainless steel, all welded pressure gauge for reliable performance and durability is designed to withstand vibration, pulsation, and mechanical shock.
These capabilities help suit the new, 4 in. diameter gauge for chemical and petrochemical operations.
The Type 316 stainless steel pressure gauge comes with a stainless steel bourdon tube for durability.
Available single-scale pressure ranges include 0-30 psig, 0-60 psig, 0-100 psig, 0-160 psig, and 0-200 psig. A compound scale model is available in the pressure range 30 Hg-60 psig. A vacuum version is available also.
Source: Spirax Sarco Inc., 1150 Northpoint Blvd., Blythewood, SC 29016.
Containment sump captures spills, leaks
The new, Ultra-550 containment sump captures spills and leaks from 500 and 550 gal fuel and oil tanks.
An optional UltraSelfBailer is available for outdoor containment. The self-bailer allows stormwater to drain passively from the sump while capturing hydrocarbons.
Its all-polyethylene construction will not rust or corrode.
It has a 605-gal capacity.
Source: UltraTech International Inc., 11542 Davis Creek Court, Jacksonville, FL 32256.
Controller updates ease SCADA integration
Firmware has been updated for Allen-Bradley MicroLogix 1200 and MicroLogix 1500 controllers.
The new updates add Modbus remote terminal unit (RTU) master protocol capabilities. This allows oil companies easily to integrate and standardize supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) networks because MicroLogix can now be used at all levels of the Modbus network—master or slave—making the controllers suited for SCADA supervisors or low-cost RTUs.
As part of this same firmware release, these controllers can now implement pulse train output functionality with independent acceleration and deceleration profiles.
The new updates also allow MicroLogix 1200 and MicroLogix 1500 controllers to communicate with Allen-Bradley PowerFlex 4 and PowerFlex 40 drives through a 1761-NET-AIC or other RS-232-to-RS-485 interface converter.
The updates for existing customers are free, require no new hardware, and can be downloaded at www.ab.com/micrologix.
All new MicroLogix 1200 and 1500 controllers will ship with the Modbus master and slave protocol capabilities. RSLogix 500 Version 6.10.10 software is required to support the configuration of the master functionality.
This is the third protocol enhancement in the past year for MicroLogix controllers.
Before adding Modbus master capabilities, the company added DF1 half-duplex master protocol and the new DF1 radio modem protocol, allowing MicroLogix 1200 and MicroLogix 1500 controllers to provide efficient and secure communications in various environments.
Source: Rockwell Automation, 1201 South Second St., Milwaukee, WI 53204-2496.
