Sanitary food processing equipment
K-Tron Process Group is exhibiting food processing and automation equipment including Premier Pneumatics P-Series vacuum receivers and the MT12 micro-ingredient feeder.
   The sanitary design of the P-Series vacuum receiver is targeted at the food industry including snack, bakery, cereal, confectionery and OTC active processing applications, providing a custom solution to difficult pneumatic conveying applications. Suitable for poorly flowing powders or fragile materials, the design meets cGMP sanitary requirements.
   All components are constructed of stainless steel (DIN 1.4404, AISI 316) and the unit is designed for easy disassembly, cleaning and maintenance with reverse jet filters, tri-clover quick release fittings, food grade gaskets and an automatic filter cleaning system standard on all units. Other features include steep cone angles to aid discharge and band clamps for quick disassembly.
   The polyester cartridge filter is equipped with automatic reverse jet pulsing and there are three models: P10 (10 litre capacity) - conveying up to 600 kg per hr; P30 (30 litre capacity) - conveying up to 1800 kg per hr; and P100 (100 litre capacity) - conveying up to 4000 kg per hr. Units are available in bead blast, satin or mirror polished finish.
   K-Tron will exhibit MT12, the latest version of its micro-ingredient feeder for low rate applications. Available in both sanitary pharmaceutical and industrial models, MT12 can accurately feed at rates as low as 20 grm per hr and as high as 2000 grm per hr, depending on material and installation. Both loss-in-weight and volumetric feeder models are available for continuous or batch operation and options are available for automatic refill. Ease of disassembly, for fast and easy cleaning, is aslo a key feature.
www.ktron.com
21:14 26/02/2008

Magnetic attraction
Eclipse Magnetics is launching a new patented sieve magnet and sieve seal, accompanying its established range of high intensity magnetic separators supplied to the food, pharmaceutical and chemical industries. Further displays feature various magnetic separators designed for gravity, pneumatic and liquid conveying lines and metal detection technology.
   The company has the ability to design a magnetic separation system for any process line, some already featuring magnet units. In these cases, retrofits are offered to provide increases in performance and contamination removal.
www.magneticseparation.co.uk
www.magneticfiltration.co.uk
21:16 26/02/2008

Moisture gauge
NDC is introducing the CM710 industrial moisture gauge, latest addition to its established 710 Series of on-line analysers. It enables reliable moisture measurements in harsh operating environments such as minerals, ceramics, ore processing, chemical, sinter and similar processes.
   With a range of housings with sealing ratings up to IP67 for full hose-down areas, as well as ATEX certified options up to Zone 20 dust hazard, the unit can operate in ambient temperatures up to 50 degrees C, or hotter with an optional cooling attachment.
www.ndcinfrared.co.uk
21:16 26/02/2008

Silent and maintenance free
Nerak’s stand features an operational continuous bucket elevator, part of the range of equipment available for vertical conveying solutions.
   Specialists in vertical conveying for bulk handling and unit loads, Nerak uses a novel rubber block belt drive system to provide smooth transfer, without the need for maintenance or lubrication. Importantly, noise levels are less than 65db, well below that of the 2005 Noise at Work Act.
www.nerak-wiese.co.uk
21:17 26/02/2008

Efficient transfer
Flexicon (Europe) Ltd is exhibiting its Mobile Re-circulating Unit to demonstrate efficient transfer of bulk solids through a flexible screw conveyor. Other displays feature various handling applications associated with bulk solids, including display information on Bulk Bag Conditioners which are available with or without integral unloaders.
   In addition, schematics of positive, negative pressure and dilute phase pneumatic conveying systems illustrate material transfer to and from single or multiple destinations. The versatility of pneumatic and flexible screw systems for handling a wide range of materials will also be demonstrated.
   Flexicon's test laboratory (shown in the picture) is a valuable company asset for validating performance of both pneumatic and flexible screw conveyor systems on a client's own product prior to final equipment design and fabrication.
www.flexicon.com
10:35 05/02/2008

Integrated plant control
Datastor Systems supplies integrated plant control and information management systems to a wide spectrum of industries including food, animal feed, beverage, chemical, pharmaceutical, oil and surface coatings.
   Systems encompass weighing, blending, mixing, routing, batch control and recipe management, enabling customers to comply with key regulatory requirements including the EU Food Supplements directive, traceability under European Regulations and GAMP.
   In addition to standard supervisory software, the company has recently delivered the first systems in the UK to include Siemens PM Quality and PM control advanced application software products which provide flexible batch control and production information management.
   The latest development is Moisture manager 4000, designed to deliver the benefits of in-line moisture control. It includes microwave-based instrumentation for measuring moisture content at critical points and an integration package which interfaces with plant control systems to synchronise control parameters and plant information flow in multi-product manufacturing environments. Significant savings in materials and energy consumption are possible.
www.datastorsystems.com
21:17 26/02/2008

On-line measurement and control
Malvern Instruments joins sister company NDC Infrared Eng, both members of Spectris plc.
   Malvern’s new Insitec Voyager brings mobile particle size analysis to the process environment. Operated at- or on-line, it provides real-time analysis where and when required and is an integral part of the company’s successful consultancy service for demonstrating in situ the possibilities of continuous process analysis. One man operated, it is easily dismantled for transportation and can be assembled without hand tools, is simple to connect to the process, easy to clean and has a variety of communication options.
   NDC Infrared Eng is displaying its rugged CM710 moisture analyser for real-time values for process control in minerals and chemicals applications. Non-contact NIR technology is used to measure product flows on conveyors, with a variety of enclosures, including IP65, IP67 and ATEX approved systems, as well as cooled enclosures for hotter environments. The unit can also be fitted to PowderVision™ sampling devices allowing products to be measured inside pneumatic and gravity-fed ducts. For off-line applications NDC's latest InfraLab will be displayed.
www.malvern.com
www.ndcinfrared.com
10:36 05/02/2008

Explosion protection progresses
ATEX Explosion Hazards Ltd is celebrating 35 Years as Explosion Hazards Ltd. At the start of the new millennium Explosion Hazards joined with ATEX GmbH, a multinational group of companies, to form a total process fire and explosion protection source, providing integrated survey, design and engineering solutions to meet all safety requirements.
   The company has seen explosion protection develop from static explosion detection for halon and cold water suppression, explosively actuated disc cutters to rate of rise transducers which require no calibration, recording the explosion suppression event in real time for multi-purpose powder suppression or novel hot water suppression and lockable valves actuated by non-explosive gas generators. All technology is supported by simple PC software and internet monitoring.
   Explosion venting is another area of evolution progressing from 'blow-off' constructions or explosively actuated glass panels to sophisticated high tolerance vacuum resistant triple section discs in a wide range of sizes which can be incorporated into flameless vent systems for safe indoor venting. Explosion doors are now available in self closing options to prevent oxygen ingress after an explosion, highly efficient and incorporating vacuum protection.
  These developments have been achieved in an environment where systems have had to be re-tested under the new ATEX 95/137 Directive with systems sold across Europe, America and Australasia. The company now has offices in Ireland, UK, France, Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, USA, Australia and China.
   Part of the exhibition display will involve presentations at the easyFairs' Learnshops demonstrating products, discussing the implications of new ATEX legislation and showing video footage of explosions under test conditions and real live catastrophic events.
www.explosionhazards.com
21:18 26/02/2008

Gap-free design
Kason Corporation Europe’s new Vibroscreen gap-free classifier offers non-metallic material contact surfaces and quick-cleaning features to eliminate contamination of ultra-pure products. The 1524 mm diameter unit is configured with three screening decks for removing oversize particles and de-dusting material, while separating on-size material into two size fractions.
   Screen frame interior surfaces are clad in PTFE with nylon screens for materials sensitive to metal contamination. Key features include gap-free screen frames, quick-release ‘U’ clamps, radiused corners, a domed lid, an Air-Lift device to raise the frames, and continuous ground and polished welds.
   The external, interlocking flange configuration of the screen frame envelops the support ring of the screen, allowing the wire mesh to extend to the interior walls of the frame - eliminating the gap between screen ring and frame wall associated with conventional screeners, an area where material can collect.
   The system provides rapid interior access for cleaning, inspection and/or screen changes between product runs and changeovers and allows one operator to perform a two-person task, depending on screen diameter.
www.kasoneurope.co.uk
21:18 26/02/2008

Blowers and exhausters
Howden Process Compressors is exhibiting its Robox Evolution blower package and the TRB-DV truck mounted exhauster which is also offered as a land-based package for vacuum use.
  The company has over 150 years experience providing air and gas handling plant and is a global leader in fans, single stage centrifugal type blowers and Roots type blowers. Operating from manufacturing facilities in Renfrew, Scotland and Chesterfield, England, the company are the UK agent for Robuschi SPA, a European manufacturer of trilobe Roots type blowers and exhausters, liquid ring vacuum pumps and high vacuum booster pumps.
   There is a dedicated service department in Chesterfield, where spares and repair facilities for blowers and exhausters and testing facilities for Roots type blowers are undertaken, with centrifugal and fan products handled by the Renfrew facility.
www.howden.com
21:19 26/02/2008

Road tanker earthing system
Newson Gale's new Earth-Rite RTR (Road Tanker Recognition) ensures the safest levels of static earthing for road tankers. Called Tri-Mode™ technology, it performs three independent checks for static control before and during the transfer process, confirming: positive connection between road tanker and RTR system; positive connection between road tanker and earth; clamp and earth connections are maintained throughout the transfer process (Continuous Loop Monitoring).
   Transfer cannot begin until all three modes have confirmed the safety of the connections and will be interrupted if the system senses a connection resistance of more than 10 ohms. Importantly, the assurance of a low-resistance connection specifically from truck to ground eliminates the bypassing of the system by an accidental connection to the loading gantry or other metallic structural elements in the loading area.
   Hazardous area approvals include FM, ATEX and IECex for gas, liquid vapour and dust environments. The system has been tested by independent examiners and has a Safety Integrity Level of SIL2 (according to IEC 61508). Additionally, it conforms to the best practice guidelines (NFPA 77 and CLC/TR 50504) for controlling and managing the risks associated with static electricity in hazardous areas.
www.newson-gale.co.uk
21:20 26/02/2008

Measurement and control
Minsterport is showing the new CLever flow meter from REMBE. Offering an accuracy of 0.25 per cent, the device aims to set new standards in flow measurement of bulk materials.
   Minsterport are also UK agents for Bindicator and Kistler Morse and are exhibiting both these companies' products. The Kistler Morse range of silo measurement products is on show including retrofit weighing systems and the new ORB remote contents monitoring systems. The Bindicator range includes point level and continuous level systems and will include the new VRF Sensor.
www.minsterport.com
21:20 26/02/2008