An informative and educational resource specializing in process control instrumentation, analytical instruments, and related industrial equipment. Content includes technology basics, how-to's, new product developments, and application notes. Blog is courtesy of Alliance Technical Sales, a leading Manufacturers' Rep headquartered in Clarendon Hills, IL and serving customers in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin.
The Mettler Toledo Process Analytics 2850Si Silica Analyzer
Reliable On-Line Silica and Phosphate Measurement for Power Plant Chemistry and Pure Water Treatment
Do More with Less - Small Footprint, Greater Functionality
Sometimes bigger is better, but when space is limited, such as parking in the city, being more compact can benefit. A compact car can offer the same basic functionality of getting you from A to B, but unlike the cargo van, it fits where you need it to, and it can help you gain valuable external space that can be used for different assets. Similarly, METTLER TOLEDO Thornton's compact 2850Si silica analyzer was engineered to use space efficiently, simplifying power plant upgrades and design. The 2850Si offers greater three-in-one functionality in a smaller package to increase productivity. The 2850Si silica analyzer delivers silica and phosphate analysis in a compact and robust design for maximum operational flexibility while 3-in-1 multi-stream silica and phosphate capabilities allow you to do more than ever before with a single analyzer.
Achieve Low Total Cost of Ownership
Using 75% less reagents, a single 2850Si silica analyzer does twice the monitoring with sub-ppb silica and ppm phosphate analysis for power plant chemistry, reducing overall reagent consumption and operating costs.Eliminate Complexity with Intuitive UI
The 2850Si silica analyzer has a built-in M800 Transmitter. The intuitive user interface guides you through quick setup and allows you to create shortcuts. Easy configuration helps meet specific display needs and simplifies training and operation.
Simplify Your Maintenance Strategy
Monitoring of reagent usage and tube/filter status with Intelligent Sensor Management (ISM®) enables proactive inventory and service planning. Simplify maintenance further by using METTLER TOLEDO expert services to ensure optimal performance throughout the life of the analyzer.
Optimize Productivity with Integrated Phosphate Monitoring
Boilers and steam generators use hundreds of pipes to maximize efficient heat transfer for powering turbines. Phosphate treatment is often used to maintain high performance drum-type boilers, thus making it critical to implement a phosphate analyzer, while a silica analyzer is critical to ensure high quality steam exits the boiler. The 2850Si on-line silica analyzer combines the benefits of a silica meter and a phosphate analyzer. It delivers reliable ppb silica and ppm phosphate measurements, without the need of a separate PO4 analyzer, for optimized productivity.
Ensure Water Purity with On-line Silica Monitoring
On-line silica analyzers provide a critical measurement for ensuring water purity in power cycle chemistry and in ultrapure water monitoring. The 2850Si analyzer for silica helps optimize ion exchange production and minimize silica deposition on turbines. This on-line silica meter allows you to measure at sub-ppb levels for early detection of silica breakthrough of polisher anion resin, so that contaminated water can be diverted before it reaches critical areas.
Less Downtime Required for Analyzer Maintenance
Analyzers for silica play an important role in water quality assurance and the protection of plant equipment from silica build-up. Ensuring analyzer uptime requires a silica meter with intelligent diagnostics to eliminate the inconvenience and costs associated with unexpected maintenance. The 2850Si silica analyzer with integrated phosphate analyzer tracks reagent usage and tube/filter replacement status, allowing you to plan for maintenance to maximize uptime. Gain even greater uptime assurance with added IP55 enclosure protection of the standard IP66 rated electronic components.
For more information about METTLER TOLEDO Process Analytics products in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Wisconsin call Alliance Technical Sales at 630-321-9646 or visit their website at https://alliancets.com.
Demonstration of Acoustic Wave Technology Used in Industrial Level Applications
Acoustic Wave Technology from Hawk Measurement, utilizes lower frequency sound waves, and is an improved ultrasonic technique. This technology uses lower frequencies to produce higher power, with the additional enhancement by using a uniquely designed piston transducer.
The transmission of high-powered acoustic waves through the environment where the sensor resides ensures minimal losses. Any losses have much less impact than conventional ultrasonic instruments encounter due to the high-powered emitted pulse. This means more energy transfers and more energy returns as a result. Even when noise levels are high, the advanced receiver circuitry is designed to detect low-level return signals. The measured signal is temperature-compensated to give the outputs and the display maximum accuracy.
Typical Industrial Level Applications:
- Power Generation Stations: Boiler bunkers, raw coal bunkers, ash pits, fly ash silos, etc.
- Wastewater / Water Treatment: River level, wet wells, inlet screens, tanks, sumps, pump stations, water towers, dams, basin levels, chemical storage, etc.
- Mining Operations: Crushers, surge bins, ore passes, conveyor profile, blocked chute, stockpile, stackers, reclaimers, storage silos etc.
- Others Applications: Food processing, cement plants, plastics molding, grain storage, chemical processing, pulp & paper
Chlorine Measurement Methods Webinar Dec. 10, 2020
A webinar courtesy of TPO (Treatment Plant Operator) and HF scientific (A WATTS Brand).
During this webinar, learn about different methods for applying, controlling, and measuring residual chlorine in drinking water applications. This will cover topics such as DPD reagent chemistry and colorimetry, as well as lab and online measurement techniques.
Date: Dec. 10, 2020
Tme: 11 a.m. Eastern
Your speaker is Julie Dawson, National Sales Manager, HF scientific, A Watts Brand.
To register, visit this link - https://bit.ly/3oPhTCt.
HF scientific produces instrumentation, test kits and chemical reagents used for monitoring water quality in a variety of applications, primarily industrial and municipal water treatment.
Treatment Plant Operator (TPO) is a magazine for wastewater and water operators, engineers and lab technicians, covers municipal and industrial treatment plants.
Alliance Technical Sales
630-321-9646
https://alliancets.com
Dissolved Oxygen Measurement for Craft Breweries
Oxygen is both friend and enemy to the brewer!
It gives yeast what it wants to breathe and survive during the fermentation process and then becomes your main antagonist after the yeast has done its job.Any process or transfer where beer becomes exposed to oxygen post-fermentation is an opportunity for oxygen to cause staling, muting, and shelf-life reduction. One example is the packaging process. The added oxygen resulting from placing the beer in cans, kegs, or bottles can affect the final product's consistency and taste.
As a brewer, you want to concentrate on producing the best-tasting beer. Therefore, it is critical to know how oxygen affects the brewing process and how packaging can eventually impact your beer's taste. It will give you the trust you need to create award-winning flavors that customers will enjoy, no matter how long the beer sits on the shelf.
METTLER TOLEDO Process Analytics offers the most accurate and cost-effective solutions for measuring dissolved oxygen in brewing applications. These robust optical dissolved oxygen sensors are durable and require minimal maintenance.
For more information about METTLER TOLEDO Process Analytics products in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Wisconsin call Alliance Technical Sales at 630-321-9646 or visit their website at https://alliancets.com.
Freeze Protect Your Pipelines, Valves, Vessels and Pumps Now!
It's that time of year again. Winter weather is coming. The need to protect vital factory equipment. A frozen pipe, valve, or vessel caused by lower temperatures and brutal winds will cause expensive, unplanned outages. Your exterior equipment is in danger of freezing and shutting down production. Right now is the time to fully assess your heat trace and freeze protection requirements.
BriskHeat industrial heating products incorporate traditional heat tracing design schemes with innovative products, installation, control, and monitoring technologies. BriskHeat industrial heating products are perfect for keeping valves, pumps, joints, crosses, elbows, flanges, pipes and tees working at the right temperature. BriskHeat products include heat tracing cable (constant wattage and self-regulating), tote heaters, insulated heating blankets, immersion heaters, and thermostats. All are designed for long life and are proven reliable and effective.
With unpredictable weather conditions ahead, you need to have your piping, tanks, and valves protected. BriskHeat has a solution for any application. To learn more, contact Alliance Technical Sales at 630-321-9646 or visit the Alliance website at https://alliancets.com.
Complimentary Black Liquor Solids Testing Program offered by Electron Machine
Typical analyses of black liquor solids are conducted on periodic bases throughout the mill. These analyses consist of many samples being taken at critical locations and analyzed in the lab. This process can take many hours or even days to collect and determine the solids content.
Because of the recent demand for continued uptime and reduced labor forces at pulp and paper mills, industrial in-line refractometer manufacturer Electron machine offers a complimentary black liquor study service for pulp mills.
Solids Testing in Just 10 Seconds - Electron Machine Corporation's DSA E-Scan™ Black Liquor Analyzer
The service includes a 1-day on-site evaluation of the mill's current black liquor solids using Electron Machine's DSA E-Scan™, as well as any equipment and control practices used, and the identification of potential areas for improvement.
The DSA E-Scan™ is an automatic, bench-top critical angle refractometer with a digital readout and temperature-controlled sample chamber.
The DSA E-Scan™ provides solids measurements in just 10 seconds. It provides accuracy and repeatability as good as gravimetric methods. While the cost-benefit analysis of deploying the DSA E-Scan™ will vary from the paper mill to paper mill, there's no denying the magnitude of time savings the DSA E-Scan™ provides will significantly reduce cost.
Take advantage of this great offer from Electron Machine now!
For more information visit this site: https://electronmachine.com/blackliquortesting.
For all pulp mills located in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Wisconsin, call Alliance Technical Sales at 630-321-9646 NOW to arrange your survey.
5 Ways to Improve Bioprocessing Measurements
How to Optimize Bioprocessing with Digital Sensors
There are continuous requirements for improve pH, DO and CO2 bioprocessing measurements. Meeting quality objectives while enhancing bioprocessing is a tremendous challenge.
Intelligent Sensor Management (ISM®) is a digital technology for in-line process analytics that incorporates intelligent algorithms into sensors. ISM/digital sensors provide real-time sensor diagnostics information, improves pharmaceutical measurements, provides greater process control and maximizes process equipment reliability/revenue.
For an onsite or on-line demonstration, contact Alliance Technical Sales. Call them at 630-321-9646 or visit their website at https://alliancets.com.
Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) Heaters
Intermediate bulk containers (also known as IBC tote, IBC tank, IBC, or pallet tank) are stackable, reusable, flexible containers with an integrated pallet base. These multi-use industrial-grade containers are designed to handle, transport, and store liquids, semi-solids, pastes, or solids. They are normally available in 250, 275, 330, 350, 450 and 550 gallon sizes. IBC totes are commonly used in food and beverage production, labs, cosmetics manufacturing, petrochemical/chemical production, oil & gas production, and in many areas of general manufacturing.
Often, the contents of IBC totes need to be heated to prevent freezing or optimize viscosity for pumping or pouring. IBC tote heaters (or just tote heaters) refer to a certain style of flexible and immersion heaters used to heat the contents of intermediate bulk containers. Most applications fall in to these areas: viscosity control, freeze protection, thermal mixing, temperature maintenance, and biofuel / biodiesel heating. Failure in keeping the products inside the IBC could result in the contents being ruined, production delays, or inability to dispense at all, which in turn increases production costs or causes damage. Damaged equipment, replacing ruined materials, or waiting for usable product are expensive prices to pay for improper heating.
Flexible IBC Tote Heaters
This category refers to flexible rubber blanket heaters that sit under, or is fitted around, the IBC tote. These heaters are designed with power densities (watt densities) that will not harm the tote itself, or the material it contains. Flexible tote heaters usually include backside insulation for better thermal and energy efficiency. Other design criteria include thermostats, water resistance for indoor/outdoor use or wash-down environments; 360° grounded heating element for safety; UL certification; 120 or 240 volt plug set.
Immersion IBC Tote Heaters
Immersion heaters are submersible heaters that use direct heat transfer to allow liquid mediums to quickly reach desired temperatures. They are commonly used with all types of tanks and processing equipment and are a cost effective, rapid heating method in almost any industrial or manufacturing environment. Immersion tote heaters design criteria include 120 or 240 VAC operation; a wide variety of flange/screw connection sizes; temperature indicators/displays; temperature controllers/thermostats; hi/low alarms; and power cords /connections types.
For more information about about IBC tote heaters, contact Alliance Technical Sales. Call them at 630-321-9646 or visit their website at https://alliancets.com.
Water Quality Instrumentation from HF scientific
Online Residual Oxidant and Chlorine Monitors | Online UV Analyzers | Reagents and Dispensers | Photometers | Test Strips | Turbidity and Standards
HF scientific produces the best quality instrumentation, test kits and chemical reagents used in a range of applications for monitoring water quality. Their primary markets are industrial and municipal water treatment systems, but their products are used in applications as varied as industrial process control systems and marine ballast water systems to mitigate adverse effects on the ecosystem of invasive species.
For more information on HF scientific products in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Wisconsin call Alliance Technical Sales at 630-321-9646 or visit their website at https://alliancets.com.
Heat Tracing Cable for Maintaining Critical Petrochemical Viscosity
The Jogler LLT-1000 LIDAR Level Transmitter: Features and Operation
New 2020 Mettler Toledo Process Analytics Catalog
Ingold has a long track record of innovative high-quality solutions for demanding process analytics applications. Their products include systems for the measurement parameters of pH/ORP, dissolved oxygen (DO), dissolved CO2, conductivity and turbidity.
Thornton is the market leader in critical ultrapure and pure water analytics, where accuracy and reliability are essential. Their products include analytical instruments and sensors for the measurement of resistivity, conductivity, TOC, bioburden, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), sodium, silica and ozone.
For more information, and to download the 2020 MT Process Analytics catalog, visit this Alliance Technical Sales webpage.
Alliance Technical Sales, Inc.
630-321-9646
https://alliancets.com
Special Design Magnetic Level Gauge Overcomes Slug Catcher Level Challenges
In order to avoid problems with slugs, the use of a "slug catcher" is deployed. Located between the process equipment and the pipeline outlet, slug catchers are vessels with enough holding capacity to hold a slug as they travel down the pipeline. The additional holding capacity allows for the gradual draining of liquids from the system to avoid system overload.
MONITORING SLUG CATCHER LEVEL
The biggest problem for slug catcher applications is solids accumulation. The build-up occurs naturally during normal operations. Solids will continue to accumulate until they are physically removed.Solids accumulate in the piping around the vessel/drum. This can cause operational failure as the piping can get congested. Solids build-up on sight glasses is very dangerous because the sight glass is a critical component to the operation of a slug catcher.
The most common liquids measured are hydrocarbons and water. Once the sight glass accumulates solids or discoloration on the viewing window, the liquids may not be visible at all.
MAGNETIC LEVEL GAUGE
To overcome all of the challenges that slug catcher applications pose for safe and reliable level monitoring, Jogler engineers created the following design that has been implemented and proven over many years of operation:INDIRECT LEVEL MEASUREMENT
Unlike a sight glass, a magnetic level gauge does not include direct sight of the liquid. Instead, the level is magnetically conveyed via the interaction of flags in the external scale assembly and magnets in the float. This makes it impossible for the glass to become clogged or dirty. Therefore, a magnetic level gauge offers constant, unimpeded liquid level viewing that will not deteriorate with any solids accumulation.
GUIDE RODS
To prevent solids from interfering with proper operation of the float, the chamber is made from a 3” pipe with a 2” or 2.5” float and guide rods (other configurations available). This allows space for the solids to accumulate without interfering with the float traveling.
COATING
To help avoid buildup, the float and internal chamber can be coated with various products, such as Teflon S, to prevent fouling buildup on the float. If buildup can occur on the float, the weight of the float will increase give false low level readings.
CUSTOM FLOATS
An important part of the function of a magnetic level gauge is the design of the internal float. Floats can be engineered to handle various liquids, including extremely light hydro-carbons. To compensate for potential solids build-up, extra buoyancy can be included in the design of a float to ensure it can power through the solids without hanging up.
MAGNETIC PARTICLE TRAPS
In some slug catcher applications, iron sulfides and other ferromagnetic particles may be present. These magnetic particles present a risk to the long-term operation of the float, accumulating on the float’s magnets. This can increase the weight of the float causing false low level readings and can even build up to the point where the float sinks or gets stuck. To eliminate these risks, a magnetic particle trap can be installed on one or more of the process connections. The magnetic particle trap consists of high strength super-magnets that are placed in the flow path to the magnetic level gauge. These magnets collect any magnetic particles that can make it to the chamber to protect against build-up on the float. The magnetic particle trap is designed easily be removed from the process connections so it can be periodically cleaned.
HEAT TRACING / INSULATION
In applications where process liquid in the slug catcher can be viscous, factory-installed heat tracing and insulation can be used to decrease the liquid viscosity. This will eliminate situations where the float will be sluggish to react to changing liquid levels or even freeze up entirely. Self-regulating electric heat trace cable provides a reliable heat tracing solution that is customizable to available power connections (typically 120VAC or 240VAC), process temperature, and minimum ambient temperature.
For more information, contact Alliance Technical Sales. Call 630-321-9646 or visit https://alliancets.com.
Continuous, Real-time Measurement for Full Visibility of Total Organic Carbon (TOC) in Pure and Ultra-Pure Water Systems
Monitoring total organic carbon levels is critical to meeting internal water quality specifications and global pharmacopeia regulatory requirements. Missing an increase in TOC levels can put you at risk of contaminating your water system, which in turn could affect production and potentially lead to an out-of-spec event or product recall.
Most TOC analyzers on the market offer at-line batch or non-continuous methods of total organic carbon measurement, which limits TOC data collection to every 6-12 minutes. But much can happen in six minutes. When you are subject to an audit or have a quality problem, how are you sure that you did not experience a problematic TOC excursion between batch samples?
The 6000TOCi analyzer’s true continuous measurement along with its comprehensive record keeping and advanced diagnostics provide audit-ready TOC compliance and complete control of your water system.
Alliance Technical Sales
https://alliancets.com
630-321-9646
Coronavirus Update
March 2020, CLARENDON HILLS, IL ~ ~ Our primary concern is for the health & well-being of our employees, customers, partners, & our community. Until a time when the COVID-19 virus is under control, all Alliance Technical Sales employees will be working from home with all telephone calls being forwarded to cell phones. Key administrative and warehouse personnel will manage critical business functions such as shipping, receiving, and accounting at our main facility. Although we do not foresee any real disruption in operations, your patience & support is greatly appreciated.
We understand that most of our manufacturing & municipal customers are still tasked with continuing operations during these challenging times. With directives on practicing social distancing, Alliance Technical Sales is committed to supporting our customers through a variety of virtual avenues – teleconferencing, multiple web conferencing systems, remote instrument diagnostics, & many other technology tools. Additionally, our sales engineers and service technicians are available for plant visits to support critical issues. If there are any instrument applications or issues we can assist with, please do not hesitate to contact us at (630) 321-9646 or sales@alliancets.com.
Calibration of the Mettler Toledo InPro 3250 Sensor and M400 Transmitter
The Mettler Toledo Process Analytics InPro 3250 is a pre-pressurized liquid-electrolyte pH probe with temperature sensor. The InPro 3250 are designed for an extensive range of applications in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and chemical process industries.
The Mettler Toledo M400 is a 4-wire transmitter with multi-parameter and ISM capabilities.
This video demonstrates the process of calibrating an analog InPro 3250 pH sensor connected to an M400 transmitter.
Contact Alliance Technical Sales for all your Mettler Toledo Process Analytics products. Call them at 630-321-9646 or visit them at https://alliancets.com.
Emergency De-Icing and Thawing for Industrial Pipes, Valves and Tanks
Download the PDF version of this application note here.
The cold weather can wreak havoc on exposed valves, pumps, pipes, bearings, filter housing, and other industrial objects. When these parts freeze, they typically become unusable, and in extreme conditions damaged. The freezing and damage causes extended and unwanted downtown and in some cases, costly repairs. Production teams cannot afford to allow the weather to restrict their productivity, and need a solution to remedy these problems quickly and safely.
De-Icing and Thawing Solution
BriskHeat’s HSTAT silicone rubber heating tape is the perfect tool for providing temporary heat to quickly get frozen systems back up and running and reduce downtime. When confronted with a stuck or frozen system, wrap the HSTAT heating tape around the frozen part, set the temperature, and allow the heat to quickly thaw/unfreeze the part. The easy-to-use portable heat tape provides instant localized heat to quickly de-ice parts efficiently and safely. When finished, the HSTAT heating tape is easily rolled up and kept in a toolbox or cabinet, ready for use again when needed.
HSTAT heating tapes are available in a variety of lengths and have a thin design for maximum
versatility, and extreme flexibility. They can be fit around nearly any shape or size component. A built-in adjustable controller regulates the temperature which can provide intense heat of up to 450°F (232°C). HSTAT heating tapes offer true performance and reliability in even the coldest conditions down to -60°F (-51°C). The easy to use plug-and-play design requires no need for special wiring. They feature BriskHeat’s patented, multi-stranded heating element for ultimate flexibility and reliability.
Additional Uses
HSTAT heating tapes have many additional uses. These include process control needs where a unique process requires heat, or for viscosity related needs where heat is used to reduce viscosity and increase flow, and more. They are used as a temporary heat source when needed or as a permanent installation. HSTAT heating tapes are used to heat all types of objects that require elevated temperatures.
For more information, contact Alliance Technical Sales. Call them at 630-321-9646 or visit their web site at https://alliancets.com.
Eliminate Delayed Oxygen Measurement Safety Risk in Your Process Gas Analyzer
Having a car alarm that goes off 15 seconds after a break-in puts you at risk of property damage and significant loss. If you wouldn't take this risk with your car, why take it in your process plant?
If you're using an extractive oxygen analyzer that requires sampling and conditioning to prevent explosive conditions, that's exactly what you're getting - an alert up to 60 seconds after an oxygen build up is started. Using an extractive analyzer that requires sampling and conditioning means it's impossible to get real-time information. Measurements are delayed by up to a minute as the sample travels through pipes to the analyzer. In addition oxygen in the sample can be diluted by the gas ahead of and behind it, resulting in a falsely flat excursion curve. An alarm threshold may not be met when it should, so you get one, perhaps inaccurate, result in one minute.
Eliminate the risk. Get continuous real-time measurement. The GPro 500 tunable diode laser gas analyzer from Mettler-Toledo measures in-situ, without the need for sampling and conditioning. It provides continuous measurement and safety-critical applications, so you'll know about oxygen excursions immediately. Don't leave your plant safety up to delayed measurement. Rethink safety. Rethink gas analytics.
For more information, contact Alliance Technical Sales. Call them at 630-321-9646 or visit their web site at https://alliancets.com.