EQUIPMENT | SOFTWARE | LITERATURE

Sept. 27, 2010

New scanning electron microscope is compact unit

The new 8500 field emission scanning electron microscope is a compact system that offers researchers high-performance imaging in their own laboratory.

The unit has been optimized for low-voltage imaging, high surface contrast. It's about the size of a laser printer and provides plug-and-play performance. No dedicated facilities are required, only an AC power outlet. The 8500 allows nanoscale features to be observed on a variety of nanostructured materials, including polymers, thin films, biomaterials, and other energy-sensitive samples on any substrate, even glass.

It eliminates charging of nonconductive samples without the need to: 1) coat the samples or 2) resort to increased pressure operation, which can degrade resolution. Continuously variable imaging voltage is tunable in a range of 500-2,000 v as an operational parameter rather than a setup choice. Furthermore, the system uses a four-segment microchannel plate detector that provides topographic imaging along two orthogonal directions to enhance surface detail.

Source: Agilent Technologies Inc.,5301 Stevens Creek Blvd., Santa Clara, CA 95051.

New FCC catalyst promises increased activty

New Alcyon fluid catalytic cracking catalyst promises to deliver increased activity yet preserve coke selectivity benefits. The firm says its product helps improve conversion by enhancing the rate of cracking within the catalyst particle.

The catalyst contains a proprietary zeolite modification that delivers activity with a low surface area per kinetic conversion. An added feature of the new zeolite is superior activity retention that has been verified in field performance, the company notes. Alcyon is suited for refiners looking to reoptimize unit operation to maximize profitability yet remain within operating limits. For any given coke yield, the catalyst achieves high conversion, helping maximize total FCC barrels to the refinery gasoline pool.

Source: Grace Davison, W.R. Grace & Co.,7500 Grace Drive, Columbia, MD 21044.

Kaman acquisition expands product line

Kaman Industrial Technologies Corp., Windsor, Conn.-based North American distributor of power transmission and motion control products, recently acquired Allied Bearings Supply Co., Tulsa. The acquisition allows Kaman to offer an array of items among seven major product categories: bearings, power transmission, electrical, material handling, motion control, fluid power, and supplies for maintenance, repair, and operations.

Source: Kaman Industrial Technologies Corp.,1 Waterside Crossing, Suite 400, Windsor, CT 06095.

More Oil & Gas Journal Current Issue Articles
More Oil & Gas Journal Archives Issue Articles
View Oil and Gas Articles on PennEnergy.com