MechChem Africa September-October 2020

⎪ Products and industry news ⎪

Real time monitoring of hydrogen in transformer oil genmonitoring for reduced risk of explosions and catastrophic failure and is ideal for use in distribution transformer applications, espe- cially those located inpopulatedareas suchas suburbs, under streets and in industrial sites. TheASIC-based systemdelivers very high ac- curacy sensingat adramatically reducedprice while still being as reliable ahydrogen sensing element as those delivered worldwide since 2012. Over 15 000 hydrogen sensor systems have been installed, without a single need for replacements or recalibrations.

Pretoria-based RTS Africa Technologies, (RTS) is now able to provide dissolved gas analysis (DGA) analytical instruments de- signed specifically for real time monitoring of hydrogen in transformer oil. RTS is an Africa agent for H 2 scan, a lead- ing provider of proven, proprietary hydrogen sensors and technologies for utilities and industrial markets. The company recently announced the increased availability of its Gen5 System, developed specifically for transformer oil DGA for distribution trans- former monitoring. H 2 scan has increased production capa- city of the Gen5 System to accommodate the increased worldwide demand as utilities begin implementing real time measurement on lower cost assets. The Gen5 System is a unique hydrogen sensor packagebasedonH 2 scan’s application specific IntegratedCircuit (ASIC) technology, which makes these instruments compact, cost-effectiveandidealforuseondistribution transformers. TheGen5Systemenablesreal-timehydro-

The sensor system works with oil im- mersed transformers and offers real-time or step-change monitoring to report hydro- gen levels as they fluctuate. The unit’s high accuracy sensor head can track hydrogen levels in the transformer oil from 25 ppm to 5 000 ppm at oil temperatures up to 105 °C. The real-time monitoring is ideal for smaller transformers where power overloads can cause higher temperatures that can quickly drive up hydrogen levels. The Gen5 System incorporates H 2 scan’s patentedauto-calibration technology, requir-

ing no maintenance or re-calibration for up to 10 years. Total install or retrofit time of the Gen5 System is less than one hour. The instrument is IP68 rated and can withstand 14 days submersion in water to a depth of up to 10 m, making it ideal for underground vault transformers. www.rtsafrica.co.za H 2 scan’s Gen5 System for dissolved gas analysis (DGA) of hydrogen in transformer oil, which is now available in South Africa from RTS Africa.

SKF is making further investments to strengthen its ball bearing manufacturing footprint in China. The investment is in-line with the Group’s region-for-region manufacturing strategy. In June 2019, the Group announced a SEK370-million invest - ment in a newfactory inXinchang.With the factory nowoperation- al, a further SEK400-million is being invested in expanding the site. Patrick Tong, president of Industrial Sales Asia, says: “We have made great progress in China, the world’s largest market for deep groove ball bearings, over the past two years, thanks to our engineering competence and the first investment phase in Xinchang. The next phase of the investment will allow us to serve our customers even better, across wider applications and with a wider product range.” Kent Viitanen, SKF’s President of Bearing Operations, says: “This investment is part of our strategic ambition to develop our regional manufacturing footprint. Following our successful initial investment in Xinchang, expanding the site is a logical next step in strengthening our ball bearing capabilities in China.” The second phase of the factory in Xinchang is expected to be operational during the end of 2021. www.skf.com/africa/en SKF invests in ball bearing manufacturing

SKF is making further investments to strengthen its ball bearing manufacturing footprint in China, the world’s largest market for deep groove ball bearings.

36 ¦ MechChem Africa • September-October 2020