March/April 2016: New Products

Smoke in the turbine room can be detected by video fire alarm systems[/caption]

Fire detection

Fire and smoke detection can be challenging in power plants due to high or obstructed ceilings, large spaces and tough requirements for targeted detection on specific parts of the equipment. Video image detection systems are currently being used for smoke and flame detection in all areas of power plants, from turbine decks, electrical equipment rooms, pump and process equipment to outdoor and indoor transformers and fuel storage areas.

Fike Video Analytics has two basic types of video image detection systems, one that satisfies the requirements of the National Fire Protection Association code, and supplemental detection where video from off the shelf cameras is monitored by computer-based video analytics. Both systems use the same software and can provide live video feed and alarm signal in a control room or elsewhere, even remotely monitored.

Analytics is used to detect and track fire and smoke anywhere in the field of view of the camera. Virtual alarm zones can be created anywhere in the view to target specific hazards, sensitivity and time delay.

Consider a turbine hall with high ceiling and multiple turbines; video cameras mounted in the corners and around the hall can provide area smoke detection of up to 17,600 square feet per camera. Other cameras can target specific turbines or bearings for detection and send a signal to a fire suppression system.

The system can also detect stratification, a condition where smoke stays low to the ground and does not rise due to higher temperature at the ceiling. Video image detection cameras can track smoke from the source, alarming when it breaks the plane into a predetermined alarm virtual zone. As video image fire detection systems are specialized, Fike’s application engineers work with end users and integrators to evaluate hazards and determine the correct camera placement. www.fike.com

Titan FX laser cutting system[/caption]

Laser cutting system

Fonon has unveiled ten updates to the Titan family of flat-bed multipurpose laser cutting machines. Designed to consume less than 5% of the power required by C02 laser systems, the Titan FX has a modular laser, available in 1 kW, 2 kW or 4 kW increments. It can adjust dynamically to slight variations in thickness across the metal plate. Additionally, the updated Titan is equipped with a sealed feedback sensor, allowing operation in hash industrial environments. www.fonon.us

Data visualization

CD-adapco has released STAR-CCM+ v11.02 for engineering simulation. It delivers new modeling capabilities and brings productivity and usability enhancements to create better designs, faster. Data Focus is a visualization technique to explore and interrogate results interactively. It provides a link between quantitative numerical data and qualitative visual data. This allows the user to gain insight into the key influences on product performance. www.cd-adapco.com

Lubricant analysis

Spectro Scientific has launched the MicroLab Series all-in-one, automated lubricant analysis system. The ability to perform oil analysis on location eliminates outside testing services and reduces the time waiting for results. The systems provide results in less than 20 minutes. The MicroLab is a multi-component analyzer used for engine, generator, gearbox, power steering, and transmission fluids. The MicroLab 30 addresses oil chemistry, kinematic viscosity and metal contamination. The MicroLab 40 includes the ability to detect finer quantities of wear, and comes with a particle counter for analyzing gear and hydraulic oils. www.spectrosci.com

GT sensors

TE Connectivity has launched the Macro Sensors 750 Series LVDT Position Sensors for predictive maintenance of GTs serving as part of process control systems used to monitor shell expansion and bearing vibration. Installed on turbine shells, these hermetically sealed ACoperated sensors measure shell expansion, providing a linear output that operators use to determine proper thermal growth of a turbine shell during startup, operation and shutdown. They are also used to monitor bearing vibration to detect bearing clearance limits that is indicative of bearing wear. www.te.com  

Data recorder and monitor

The Metrix Datawatch IX data recorder is meant for those machines and processes where you want a local display, alarm and shutdown capability. It has the ability to communicate over Ethernet with a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), Distributed Control System (DCS), Supervisory and Data Acquisition System (SCADA), Remote Terminal Unit (RTU), host computer or web server. It can be held in the palm of your hand. It comes with four isolated channels, and has the option to handle eight non-isolated channels. It integrates with the Metrix ST6911 Acceleration and ST6917 Velocity Transmitters. www.metrixvibration.com

Multi-axis machining

Okuma’s MU-4000V is good for 5-axis multi-sided machining and is suitable for the aerospace and die and mold industries. It provides high-speed, process-intensive machining combined with turning in a compact footprint. The machine mass is 9,700 kg and it can deal with spindles ranging from 12K to 25K RPM. www.okuma.com

Vibration monitoring

Slow speed rotating machinery (less than 300 RPM) is commonplace in cooling towers, hydroelectric turbines and wind power. The use of accelerometers on standard speed machinery becomes problematic at lower speeds, as the absolute accelerations measured are much smaller in value. Sensonics has developed the VEL/GLF, a low-frequency velocity vibration sensor which offers better performance than piezo-electric devices by combining high measurement sensitivity with a frequency response down to 0.5 Hz. It is ideally suited to measuring velocity vibration on equipment with speeds below 300 RPM. www.okuma.com

Oerlikon Leybold DryVac[/caption]

Vacuum systems

A Korean producer of lithium-ion batteries has awarded a contract for the supply of vacuum systems to Oerlikon Leybold Vacuum for several production lines. The delivery of these systems for electrode drying is expected for summer 2016. The system is a combination of the DryVac DV 450C dry compressing screw vacuum pump and the Roots RuVac WH2500 from Oerlikon Leybold. www.oerlikon.com Rockwell controller The new Allen-Bradley Compact GuardLogix 5370 controller from Rockwell Automation provides one platform for safety and motion in applications with up to 16 axes. It has achieved the highest rating for machine safety. www.rockwellautomation.com