New casing cutters
New clamshell casing cutters mount directly onto the OD of well casing, requiring minimal radial and axial clearance.
Having a split-frame design, the NB casing cutters are compact and ultralight weight. The light weight allows fast and safe setup and operation by one man. In most field applications the setup and cutting operations can be completed in less than 1/2 hr, the firm says.
Cutters operate spark free, eliminating the need for flame cutting. Cutters are available in five sizes and are designed for versatility by using interchangeable tooling and machine parts throughout the size ranges.
Source: D.L. Ricci Corp., Box 527,
Red Wing, MN 55066.
New mechanical lip seal
This new mechanical lip seal (MLS), designed for pumps in high viscosity applications, combines mechanical packing and a mechanical seal. Three interchangeable PTFE sealing elements can be replaced or repaired on-site, extending the longevity of the seal, shortening downtime, and simplifying maintenance, the maker points out.
The MLS has a 316 stainless steel gland and sleeve that help ensure a virtually unlimited service life. It has three modular PTFE sealing elements that sequentially control system pressure. Because of the nonreactivity of PTFE, the MLS seal can accommodate a variety of pumped media and conditions ranging from recurring pump start-ups, pressure variations, and dry-running. In addition, sealing surfaces can be flushed to loosen any solidified process fluid.
The seal can also be configured for vacuum services, using a pressure transducer for system monitoring, or for abrasive services, using an internal packing ring.
The MLS can handle pressures up to 10.3 bar g/150 psig and viscosity of 20-500,000 cps. It's suited for positive displacement, gear, progressing cavity, rotary lobe, and screw pumps. The MLS also facilitates leak-free performance at slow speeds for mixers, agitators, and centrifugal pumps.
Source: John Crane, 6400 Oakton St., Morton Grove, IL 60053.
Product helps remove oil spills
Petrotech, a nontoxic substance, encapsulates petroleum spills on contact.
It is a natural, intensified, and accelerated hydrocarbon biodegradation process that mimics nature by encapsulating petroleum pollutants on contact. At the same time, it suppresses flammable vapors. It is particularly effective in removing odors caused by petroleum and smoke, the company says.
The product ceates a "microbial food" that attracts as much as 100% of natural indigenous bacteria to accelerate the biodegredation process that, depending on conditions, can help reduce cleanup time.
Petrotech is made from all natural ingredients and is safe for wildlife, fish, and vegetation. It has extensively been used to clean petroleum from contaminated animals.
Source: Petrotech, 675 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139.
Positioner compatible with many valves
This firm has extended it's ND8OO digital positioner technology so that it can be used in conjunction with other manufacturers' rotary or linear valves. The digital positioner provides monitoring for diagnostics and is capable of improving a control valve's speed of response and positioning accuracy, the company says.
The ND8OO automatically collects diagnostic data from the valve (i.e., actuator load factor trend) on-line as the valve is at work under process conditions. Captured trend data identify valves requiring maintenance. It can also reduce preventive maintenance costs by identifying valves that are performing well and do not require maintenance.
The company's FieIdBrowser software can monitor networks of ND8OO-equipped valves, passing trend information to a data base and sending warnings via intranet, internet,, and mobile phone when alarm conditions are exceeded.
Versions of the ND8OO digital positioner are available for use in HART and fieldbus networks. Adapting an ND800 to a different protocol in the field is accomplished by replacing a circuit board.
Source: Neles Automation, Box 8004, Shrewsbury, MA 01545-8004.
