MechChem Africa November 2017

⎪ Products and industry news ⎪

When less really means more

• No standing stagnant water, which eliminates health risks. • Large capacity chambers reduce the riskof spillage throughblockageor any sudden increases in condensate flow. • No oil collection bottle which means already separated condensate cannot be ruined in the event of amalfunction and multiple oil condensate can be separated, alongwith condensate from multiple sources. Ackermanalsopoints out that compulsory regular testing is a thing of the past as the maintenance indicator conveniently tells the customer exactly when to change the filters, which is completed in a quick, easy and clean operation. The design simplicity of Atlas Copco’s OSCrangeaddsvaluethroughthedelivery of optimumperformance, lowoperational costs, and long life for total convenience and customer peace of mind. www.atlascopco.co.za encounter in some way every day. This method of demarcating areas where people are able to walk within a facility allows for quick visual identification, but there is also the need to cordon off vari- ous sections for quality control or safety reasons,” Dessing says. “And this is where the Apex General Purpose Strip Curtains play such an important role.” This locally manufactured product has been available in South Africa for more than 45 years and apart from its high quality boasts the unique patented Balledge ® onbothsidesofindividualstrips. “The Balledge is a major differentiator that customers recognise,” Dessing says. The reinforced rounded edge on the strip ensures the perfect thermal close, but just as importantly it allows the strips to part easily to allow access to pedestrians as well as pallet trucks, forklifts and other motorised equipment. Apex General Purpose Strip Curtains aremanufacturedat thecompany’s facility in Founder’s View, Modderfontein. www.apexstrip.co.za

Atlas Copco Compressor Technique, a global specialist in quality compressed air technology,equipmentandsystems,offers the OSC range of condensate separators for compressed air systems, for the deliv- ery of high performance, versatility and lowmaintenance. Consisting of eight models, the OSC range can accommodate compressed air systems from 35 ℓ /s up to 2 360 ℓ /s. Atlas Copco incorporated advanced technology into the design of the OSC range in the form of a revolutionary and patented oleophilic active filtration pro- cess. This technology enables almost all condensate mixtures to be separated,

workforce and society.” Natarajan Chandrasekaran, chairman of Tata Steel, adds: “TheTataGroupand thyssen- krupphaveastrongheritageintheglobalsteel industry and share similar culture and values. This partnership is amomentous occasion for both partners, who will focus on building a strong European steel enterprise. The stra- tegic logic of the proposed joint venture in Europe is based on very strong fundamentals and I am confident that thyssenkrupp Tata Steel will have a great future.” To be named thyssenkrupp Tata Steel, the planned joint venture will be managed through a lean holding company based in the Netherlands. It is to have a two-tier manage- ment structure comprising a management board and a supervisory board with both boards having equal representation from thyssenkrupp and Tata. www.thyssenkrupp.com Workplace demarcation in manufactur- ing facilities has become more important as companies streamline processes and implement best practice policies. Wim Dessing, managing director of Apex Strip Curtains & Doors, says the company has seen a marked increase in the use of specialisedPVCstrip curtaining to cordonoff areas and clearly identify the flow of work. “Floor markings are something we including most emulsions. Unlike with many of such systems, over-sizing is un- necessary when faced with synthetic oil based condensates. This also ensures that the condensate separators meet strict environmental regulations. According toCharl Ackerman, business line manager of Atlas Copco Compressor Technique’s Industrial Air division, sim- plicity is a key feature of the product. “Installation requires only a roughly flat surface, the set-up is uncomplicated and there are no restrictions on the drain type used upstream of the unit, making this a simple, no-fuss and extremely user- friendly unit.” The OSC range offers a series of prac- tical and tangible advantages compared with traditional gravity-based systems: • A very stable separation performance throughout filter lifetime.

Workplace demarcation made easier

The Atlas Copco OSC 145-600 range.

thyssenkrupp and Tata Steel in 50/50 JV thyssenkrupp and Tata Steel recently signed amemorandumof understanding to combine their European steel activities in a 50/50 joint venture. Their aim is to create a leading Europeanflatsteelplayerpositionedasaqual- ityandtechnologyleader.Thenewentityisset to have pro-forma sales of about €15 billion and aworkforce of about 48000, currently at 34 locations. Shipments are envisioned to be about 21 million tons a year.

Dr Heinrich Hiesinger, CEO of thyssen- krupp AG comments: “Under the planned joint venture, we are giving the European steel activities of thyssenkrupp and Tata a lasting future. We are tackling the structural challenges of the European steel industry and creatingastrongNo2.InTata,wehavefounda partnerwithaverygood strategic andcultural fit. Not only do we share a clear performance orientation, but also the same understand- ing of entrepreneurial responsibility toward

Apex Strip Curtains are used to cordon off sections for quality control purposes.

38 ¦ MechChem Africa • November 2017