YourGuide News - Power Generation

2, 3 and 4 Arm Handwheels From Elesa

YourGuide Ltd. — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 08:55:34 +0000

Arm handwheels such as the Elesa VB range and the ETK/EYK series are generally used where greater leverage is required, either because it allows greater force or greater delicacy and accuracy. They are often employed in the setting or operation of machines, valves, actuators, clamping or in rotational devices which require manual operation. They are frequently a superior solution to adjustment or control, in conjunction with digital position indicators where an electronic control system would simply over-engineer, over-complicate or over-price the application.

Elesa’s VB198 moulded four arm handwheel at 170mm dia is suitable for fine single hand control or two-handed operation – likewise the VBR.4 with tubular metal handles in diameters from 200mm to 363mm. The VBR.2 matches the .4 but with two arms for lower cost. Three-arm handwheels with revolving handles from the ETK and EYK series are suitable for steering applications and have central hub colour indexing options – the ETK featuring straight revolving handles and the EYK having palm fitting revolving knobs where speed of operation is called for.

RWE npower awards framework agreement extension to Exeeco APS

YourGuide Ltd. — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:30:42 +0000

Exeeco APS (Actuation, Projects and Services) has been awarded an extension to its three-year Framework Agreement with RWE npower for the supply of Rotork valve actuation products and the service and repair of all makes of valve actuators at the company’s UK coal, oil and gas fired power stations and cogeneration plants. The contract encompasses onsite and offsite actuator maintenance, service, repair, upgrade and replacement.

The RWE npower framework extension further enhances the relationship between Exeeco APS - a Rotork Group flow control company with four decades of specialised experience of power station automation and valve actuation projects – and a major UK power generator. Exeeco’s Technical Sales Engineer Simon Finley observes: “We are absolutely delighted that this high profile client has chosen to extend this contract. Exeeco APS looks forward to continuing to work with and support RWE npower.”

Mixed picture in ordering activity at IMA in Düsseldorf and gratifying increase in visitor numbers

YourGuide Ltd. — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:38:14 +0000

Against the background of a new Amendment to the State Treaty on Gambling and the first state legislation on amusement arcades ordering activity at IMA presented a very mixed picture. By and large, the industry was cautious as far as long-term investments were concerned. Demand for commodities with a depreciable life of up to five years, on the other hand, was noticeably stronger. The background is that a majority of state legislators aim at large-scale expropriation of the industry in five years time.

After four days at the Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre, the 31st IMA closes its gates. With 9,512 visitors and an increase of 7.5 percent year-on-year, the trade fair of the German amusement and vending machine industry records a gratifying increase in visitor numbers. This is especially true in view of the uncertain legislative situation. Bremen and Berlin have already passed new state laws on amusement arcades. In other states they are planned. All of them will have ruinous consequences for manufacturers and distributors, and for operators of amusement arcades. Applications for all licences granted so far will have to be resubmitted in five years’ time. A large variety of exclusion criteria will apply: minimum distance from children’s day care centres, schools, churches and other amusement arcades. This means that the state legislators are drawing a grid of no-go locations over cities and communities which comes close to a total prohibition of commercial “small-scale gambling”. Furthermore, there are plans for a ban of so-called multiple licences which were allowed by the Federal Administrative Court as far back as 1984. Against this background the widespread uncertainty is understandable. Another reason for the increase in visitor numbers since in such times entrepreneurs expect manufacturers and associations to come up with products and advice for the future.

A very sombre view of the future prevails among apprentices and employees in the industry. On the way to the IMA opening ceremony, therefore, guests had to pass an impressive line of apprentices. 250 young people had come to Düsseldorf to draw attention to their situation with posters, banners and T-shirts. In close cooperation with the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the industry had fought many years for setting up two apprenticeship training specialities for amusement machine technicians which now, as a result of state policies, will be practically abolished. In addition to these young people, there is a workforce of more than 70,000 fearing for their future in the amusement industry. More than 70 of these are women.

If Siegfried Kauder, the Chairman of the Legal Committee of the German Federal parliament has his way, however, these people do have a future. During the opening ceremony he told them: “The government must not simply “flatten” the competition and eliminate it just because it has the possibility to pass regulations. Ladies and gentlemen, I think it shameful that a group should have to defend itself by court action to ensure that right remains right. .... What is happening at the moment in the amusement arcade sector is something a professional politician must not tolerate.”

Large sections of the German amusement machine industry, consider the courts their only hope. Here, they are confident, since a broad phalanx of renowned legal scholars are almost unanimous in considering the new Amendment to the State Treaty on Gambling as going against the German constitution and European law. Nevertheless, the uncertain prospects for the future were of course reflected in ordering activity at the trade fair. Long-term products remain on the shelves. On the other hand, operations in amusement arcades and gastronomic establishments for the next five years with a safe legal perspective are noticeably upgraded. Interest focussed on gambling machines, cash management for arcades, interior furnishings and software updates to run operations. In the area of cash gambling the triumphant success of multigame devices continues. One reason is the fact that due to the ever-shrinking expense per hour for gamblers, gambling has come close to any other commercial leisure activity. With an average expense of 10.89 € per hour, as found by the Fraunhofer-Institut, going to the cinema or the fitness studio, skiing or a night at the disco are no cheaper but rather more expensive and often less exciting. Another reason for the success of these devices: gambling machines with more than different 30 games and creative video animation are an international success with the Internet Generation.

Development has been excellent for the sports betting segments at IMA. In contrast to last year when the city of Düsseldorf had caused legal chaos in this segment, the exhibitors were able to pursue their business unhindered and reported strong interest this year. This interest is due to the worldwide boom of this type of betting. The sports betting community is hoping for a turn towards liberalisation throughout Germany, the strongest market in Europe. In particular, the industry hopes for a No from the EU Commission to the new Amendment to the State Treaty on Gambling. The suppliers criticise that the intended granting of a mere 20 licences is entirely arbitrary and the intended tax burden is far heavier than that imposed in any other country.

The suppliers in the Bowling World section were also very satisfied with IMA. Apparently arcade operators are considering investing in this segment, in order to diversify and thus make their business more crisis proof. On the other hand, interest in amusement and vending machines is growing among bowling alley operators. These two trade fair segments have been complementing each other in a positive way for many years.

Paul Gauselmann, chairman of the industry association of the German amusement and vending machine industry (VDAI) is also waiting for a clear word from the EU and the courts. According to him, the industry invested millions of euros over the past five years which will not pay off by any means in case of a 5-year transition period. Rental contracts, usually with a term of 10 to 15 years, long-term depreciation for buildings and equipment and ever- lengthening depreciation cycles render this impossible. As a consequence, Gauselmann predicts legal action to claim damages. Legal experts estimate these damages at more than four billion euros. If they should materialise, it would be the local authorities that would bear the brunt of these claims, which may be one reason why state politicians do not seem to be much interested in the legal situation, says Gauselmann.

In 2013 IMA will take place from 15 to 18 January at the same location.

Rotork CVA specified for flow control duty on gas turbine pre-heater plants

YourGuide Ltd. — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 13:41:49 +0000

Rotork’s innovative CVA electric actuator has been specified for critical valve control duty on high temperature gas turbine pre-heater equipment supplied to the power generation industry. The application demands unrestricted modulation of a three-way valve to control the pre-heated temperature of fuel gas for electricity generating turbines.

The Rotork CVA actuators have been installed on seven skid-mounted units supplied to Riyadh PP11, a power plant project serving the capital city of Saudi Arabia. Manufactured by Petrogas Gas Systems in The Netherlands, the units heat the gas on its way to the turbines by passing it through a chamber that is surrounded by an oil bath that is heated to a temperature of 185ºC.

A CVA actuator controls the position of a three-way valve on the inlet side of each unit to ensure that the process does not overheat. Operating from a 4 - 20mA control signal, the actuator moves the valve to control the heat output. Precise and responsive valve positional control, with repeatability and resolution at less than 0.1%, makes an important contribution to the overall high efficiency of the pre-heating performance.

Seven ATEX certified explosionproof CVQ quarter-turn actuators have been supplied to operate 200mm (8 inch) Class 300 valves. The double-sealed CVA design also provides permanent environmental protection to IP68, with non-intrusive setting and commissioning technology. An integral data-logger facilitates valve diagnostics with predictive maintenance capabilities for efficient long term asset management.

Munters launch Free PsychroApp Calculation Tool

YourGuide Ltd. — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 19:55:47 +0000

Specially designed for use on the iPhone, iPod touch and also able to be run unmodified on the iPad, this new tool provides complete psychrometric calculations for relative humidity, dewpoint and more… all at the touch of a button. PsychroApp can calculate the total, sensible, latent and moisture loads of any process or preservation environment.

Munters, the energy efficient air treatment specialists, have developed the tool after listening to the needs of their large customer network to determine what they needed to help create
the perfect climate conditions for building comfort and industrial process control.

www.munters.com/psychroapp

Rotork acquires Prokits Ltd

YourGuide Ltd. — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:21:10 +0000

Rotork, the market leading manufacturer and flow control company, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Prokits Ltd, a designer and manufacturer of valve adaptor kits and accessories for the valve industry, based in Mansfield, UK. Rotork has acquired all the share capital of Prokits.

Prokits has been known to Rotork for many years and the company has built an established customer base for valve adaptation kits and accessories.

The sole owner of Prokits, Craig Mellins, has been appointed as General Manager of Rotork Valvekits into which the Prokits business will be merged.

Commenting on the acquisition, Rotork Chief Executive Peter France said: “The acquisition of Prokits, for which Craig Mellins has established a good reputation in the market over the last decade, will increase the customer base and scale of our Rotork Valvekits valve adaptation and accessory products business.”

Bosch Rexroth solves problem of safe crane operation at sea

YourGuide Ltd. — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 12:53:49 +0000

Dutch company Barge Master BV, installed Rexroth heave compensation to enhance the effectiveness of offshore cranes.Wind farms and drilling platforms are becoming more widespread, with construction costs playing an integral role in their development. In previous years, the lack of convincing crane technology has proven to be a big problem. “Right now, standard floating cranes encounter difficulty with waves cresting at thirty centimetres. Safe crane operation can no longer be guaranteed” says Jan-Paul van der Bos from Barge Master BV. Even minor swaying of just two to three degrees can move the tip of the crane by four to five metres. This results in an unstable load and puts the crew at risk. Barge Master wanted to solve this problem. By working with Bosch Rexroth, Barge Master developed a comprehensive solution including all the necessary drive and control components. The resulting system is suitable for all kinds of standard marine vessels and cranes. It drastically reduces the manufacturing cost and operational expense of offshore projects.

The Rexroth system also delivers in terms of technology. “With Rexroth heave compensation we have expanded the application window for floating cranes handling waves of up to 150 centimetres” adds van den Bos. This is achieved through a moving platform which neutralises roll, yaw and heave. Three hydraulic cylinders, affixed vertically, attach the crane to the hull of the ship through joints that incorporate ball bearings. Connection rods with limited mobility freeze the remaining three degrees of freedom so that the cylinder movements can compensate for wave action. The controls are the heart of the solution. Special sensors deliver motion data which is used to calculate target values for the compensatory movements that keep the platform stable. Even with irregular swells and crests of over a metre, 95% of motion can be neutralised. Barge Master has therefore been able to expand the use range for standard floating cranes. It is predicted that by mid-2012 the C400 Barge Master will be ready for use with cranes weighing about 400 tons with payloads of up to 160 tons. Barge Master is confident that this will significantly expand the utility of standard cranes in the sector.

Rotork acquires Fairchild Industrial Products Company

YourGuide Ltd. — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 12:16:50 +0000

Rotork is pleased to announce the acquisition of Fairchild Industrial Products Company, a manufacturer of high-precision pneumatic controls and power transmission products based in North Carolina, USA.

The company was purchased from FIPC Acquisition, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company controlled by Hampshire Equity Partners III, L.P. for a net consideration of $75.8m payable in cash and financed from existing reserves. $7.7m of the total sum will be deferred and held in escrow for two years.

Fairchild manufactures a full range of market leading regulators, boosters, relays and transducers. The products are used in a wide variety of applications that require precision control of pneumatic devices and motion control equipment. As well as Oil and Gas applications the company also benefits from orders in pharmaceutical and biomedical equipment, tyre manufacturing machinery, robotics, food processing and chemical manufacturing applications. The company has offices in China and India with local presence in Mexico, Russia and Brazil. North America remains the largest market with 57% of the revenue, with Europe accounting for 16% and North Asia12%.

The acquisition of Fairchild is in line with Rotork’s strategy of strengthening its presence in the global flow control market, as part of which the Group also announces the creation of a new division, Rotork Instruments. Rotork Instruments will focus on developing further opportunities in the flow control market; in particular, products associated with flow and pressure control and diagnostic and information gathering technology. Fairchild will be the first company within the Rotork Instruments division.

Commenting on the acquisition, Rotork Group Chief Executive, Peter France, said: “The acquisition of Fairchild will strengthen our presence in the global flow control market and, in forming the basis of new division, Rotork Instruments, will broaden the scope of the Group’s activities.”

Spring Latches – New Standard Components From Elesa

YourGuide Ltd. — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 11:08:13 +0000

Elesa’s new GN722 series of 180° operation spring latches are designed for use in steel fabrications or assemblies where quick and low cost positioning or locking is required with a simple manual activation. They are specifically designed to function in arduous and dirty environments such as in the production of jigs and fixtures, in clamping devices and assembly installations, for locking, fixing and securing components and parts in “dirty” or “messy” work places such as those where dusty materials are involved. This would include production/manufacturing or service situations such as shipbuilding, mining, agriculture etc.

The Elesa GN722 series is operated by turning the thumb lever 180° to either retract or extend the indexing pin, location of the mechanism is ensured with an indexing notch for each position. Housings of the Elesa GN722 are in zinc plated cast steel with black painted finish and are provided with mounting lugs for machine screw or nut/bolt fixing. GN722.1 however is left in natural steel to facilitate welding in position as required.

Type K damper drives – five years arduous service, no maintenance and no breakdowns

YourGuide Ltd. — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 14:23:23 +0000

Rotork’s recent acquisition, K-Tork International, Inc., has supplied Ash Hopper (AH Series) damper drives to the Entergy Corporation’s White Bluff Generating Station in Redfield, Arkansas to replace cylinder actuators that were proving to be unreliable. The units were installed in 2006 and after five years of operation a recent inspection has confirmed that the Type K products have solved a major maintenance problem at the plant.

The White Bluff Generating Station historically purchased 40-50 pneumatic cylinder actuators per year to operate their ash hopper rotary gates under routine maintenance budgets to replace failing cylinders. In 2006, the coal-fired power plant installed 136 Type K ‘AH Series’ damper drives to replace the poorly performing cylinder actuators. The units were fitted with a high-cycle “no-play” linkage kit that eliminates hysteresis to adapt the TK-2 rotary drives to the existing ash hopper equipment. After five years in service, there have been no failures. Not a single work order has been issued, no spare parts have been required, no seal kits installed and no units have been removed for servicing for any reason.

By EPA mandate, ash particulate must be contained and cannot simply accumulate in piles on the ground in the way that coal piles are kept. The pneumatic conveyors that operate under the precipitators collect the ash and push it with compressed air into collection bins, where it is sold as an ingredient for dry wall production or used in concrete mixes for civil construction. When a conveyor bank is in operation, the Type K damper drives cycle every 90-120 seconds 24/7.

The Type K Area Sales Manager, Dean Stedman, has surveyed the remaining 26 drives required for Unit 2 and an additional 120 drives required for Unit 1.

Together with the Type K Representative, Boiler Valve and Equipment Company, K-Tork hopes to complete the Ash Hopper retrofit in 2012.

Entergy Corporation is an integrated energy company engaged primarily in electric power production and retail distribution operations. Entergy owns and operates power plants with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity, and it is the second-largest nuclear generator in the United States. Entergy delivers electricity to 2.7 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.