MechChem Africa June 2018

⎪ Products and industry news ⎪

Tectra Automation boosts process industry

MSA Africa extends gas-detection capabilities High false-alarm rates, slow detection and poor reliability are frequent bugbears for on-siteoper- ations in terms of gas-leak detection, MSA FGFD countrymanager (Africa), Etienne Jacobsz, points out. However, these problems are now a thing of the past thanks to the introduction of the latest Enhanced Laser Diode Spectroscopy (ELDS™) technology from Senscient by MSA Africa. This follows the acquisitionof Senscient of the UK by MSA Safety, the holding company of MSA Africa. Senscient patented its ELDS™ technology in 2009 for the detection of a range of toxic and flammable gases. The main benefit of this tech- nology is that it eliminates false alarms faster. It means increased reliability in terms of detecting hazardous gases, thereby boosting safety on-site and reducing operational costs. ELDS™ technology has significantly changed the way that facility operators protect their personnel and assets from hazardous gas leaks, enhancing MSA’s reputation as a global leader in gas-detection technology and equipment. “This innovative technology from Senscient complements our existing fixed-gas and flame- detection portfolio,” Jacobsz says. It gives MSA a stronger foothold in a range of industries, from gas and pipeline processing to ammonia and fertiliser production, the petrochemical industry, photovoltaics, and the process analytics industry. In addition, Senscient’s SimuGas™automated full-system integrity checks eliminates the need for gas checks. ELDS™ is also immune to the cross-interferents that plague electrochemical sensors, thanks to target-gas specific harmonic fingerprint detection. www.za.msasafety.com/detection

Enhanced performance, greater reliabil- ity and longer life: that’s the reputation OMAL’s ball valves have built across the world’s process industries over the last 30 years. OMAL manufactures a complete range of ball valves for the process industry, which are distributed in sub- Saharan Africa exclusively by drive and control automation specialists, Tectra Automation. The company maintains a number of these valves ex-stock, includ- ing wafer and split wafer valves and Thor Split Body valves in both carbon steel and stainless steel versions. The valves are ideal for awide range of media, including air, water, gas, petroleum andpetrochemical products. The stainless steel versions are ideal for highly aggres- sive media. The Magnum split wafer, carbon steel Thor Split Body and wafer ball valves are full bore valves without a protruding floating ball for EN 1092-1 ed. 2008 and ANSI B16.5 connecting flanges. Standard features includeTFM1600soft-seat seals, andTFM1600V-packandadditional FKM O-ring seals on the stem for increased durability. These valves are designed according to pressure class PN16-40; ANSI 150-300.

OMAL’s Thor split body stainless steel valves can handle extremely aggressive fluids in process applications. The stainless steel Thor Split Body valve, for extremely aggressive fluid, features a floating ball andDEVLON soft- seat seal for the pressure class PN16-40; ANSI 150-300. Each ball valve delivers a closing angle of >7° and is designedwith anEN12662-2 antistatic device. “These valves can also be manufac- tured with a wide range of additional fea- tures for specialisedprocess applications,” explainsMalanBosman, pneumatics prod- uct manager, Tectra Automation. OMAL is distributed exclusively in sub-Saharan Africa by Tectra Automation, a Hytec Group Company. www.hytecgroup.co.za

High performance cone flow meters

WIKA’s model FLC-FC cone flowmeter is an advanced application of differ-

covers the topics of installationandop- erating conditions and gives further information for cal- culatingtheflowrateand

ential pressure technology. Its characterisationof theflow profile enables reliable

Senscient ELDS™ technology from MSA has changed the way that operators protect their personnel and assets from gas leaks.

measurement even under themost dif- ficult conditions. Thanks to its design, the FLC-FC flow meter is ideally

its uncertainties. The conical primary element

has been designed so that its edges are protected from particles in the medium. Therefore, the cone flowmeter has a very long service life, even in applications with abrasive media. The optimised flow profile prevents asymmetric flow effects and enables operation with very short upstream and downstream pipes. www.wika.co.za

suited for applicationswith limited mounting space. It offers awideand stable turndown and, at the same time, a high accuracy and repeatability. The FLC-FC cone flow meter is pro- duced in accordance with the ISO 5167 reference standard. Part 5of this standard

June 2018 • MechChem Africa ¦ 37