Invensys Process Systems is providing Foxboro I/A Series distributed control systems (DCS) for two new Husky Energy grassroots ethanol refineries in western Canada. The Invensys implementations include the latest mesh control network-based I/A Series system technology, intelligent measurement and instrumentation equipment and a range of professional services. Husky Energy's ethanol plant at Lloydminster, Saskatchewan commenced operations in September 2006. The company's second ethanol plant is located in Minnedosa, Manitoba. The plants are the largest of their kind in western Canada.

Each of the two new plants will produce 130 million litres (34.3 million gallons) of ethanol annually to be blended up to 10 percent into gasoline products to help motorists reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The grain-based processes will use high-starch feed-quality wheat as feedstock, consuming approximately 350,000 tonnes annually for each plant.

The Foxboro DCS implementations each communicate with approximately 1,800 direct I/O points and 2000 I/O points through multiple PLCs. The plants' networked control systems each include three pairs of Foxboro ZCP 270 control processors in fault-tolerant configurations connected with distributed I/O cabinets at nine process units throughout each plant. The systems perform a wide variety of control functions, including batch processing applications. At the Lloydminster site, the ethanol plant controls are integrated with existing I/A Series control consoles at the adjacent existing Husky Lloydminster heavy oil upgrader facility, which has been under I/A Series control since 1992.

Invensys Canada is also providing various professional services for each DCS implementation, including database engineering, graphics development, configuration services, start-up assistance and training for engineers and operators.

Invensys

This infrared thermometer with a flip-down RTD probe is specifically designed for food service applications. The FP8838 offers a variety of features. It quickly scans surface temperatures without contact or risk of cross-contamination, the HACCP Check indicates at a glance whether food temperatures are in safe ranges (LED indicators), verifies internal temperature measurements with flip-down RTD probe and its unique targeting system illuminates the area being measured.

ITM Instruments Inc.

The CL1600 surface probe calibrator is designed to calibrate and verify surface probe readings from 25 to 450°C. This rugged, compact bench top device provides a large 120mm diameter high-grade aluminum surface. Built around one of Omega's highly accurate PID temperature controllers, the unit features fast, heat-up, stable readings, and a highly uniform heated surface area. Each unit comes complete with built-in RS232 communication, cable, free measurement and control software, 5-point NIST Traceable Calibration Certificate and operators manual. Recommended applications include testing and calibrating surface probes and sensors.

Omega

The Sitrans TR200 and the Sitrans TR300 two-wire temperature transmitters are designed for rail mounting. When connected in the 4-20mA loop, these devices need no additional power supply. The Sitrans TR200 temperature transmitter is configured using a PC, and the Sitrans TR300 transmitter can be configured using a HART interface. Both devices feature a diagnostics LED that indicates the function status, which quickly detects open or short circuits so they can be corrected. The feature is useful, especially when dealing with a large number of measuring points. The temperature transmitters support all standard RTDs and thermocouples, as well as resis tance and voltage inputs.

Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.

The AST 4000 family of stainless steel all media isolated pressure sensors are designed for high accuracy measurement of hostile media, such as corrosive liquids and gases. These strain-relief gauge pressure sensors are designed for industrial OEM equipment, hydraulic systems, data loggers, control panels as well as water management and pressure instrumentation. AST 4000 pressure sensors provide either millivolt or amplified outputs and offer a wide range of options for OEMs, system integrators and end-users. Offered with a wide variety of connections for flexibility in mechanical and electrical interfaces, the sensors provide high accuracy measurement in industrial, refrigeration, hydraulics and other OEM applications.

American Sensor Technologies, Inc.

The Coolpoint™ vortex shedding flowmeters feature flow totalizing capability for cooling water, water-based machine coolants and water/glycol mixtures in automated and robotic industrial processes. CoolPoint™ flowmeters are now available with a flow totalizer that increases their ability to measure, monitor and control the total amount of liquid used in a process. The totalizer features a pulse output, reset button and six-digit LED that can display either liters or gallons. The flowmeters are non-mechanical meters that can measure and monitor recycled water and filtered coolant containing par ticles.

Universal Flow Monitors, Inc.

Bolt-on temperature sensors are designed for easy installation in industrial and environmental environments. Designed for quick and easy installation, the sensors are available in a wide temperature range and can be mounted on machines, against process pipes or embedded directly into a machined part. The threaded fasteners install in seconds and can be easily removed for installation at another location. Typical applications include process control measurement, test, and verification of existing systems, and retrofit of existing machines.

Athena Controls, Inc.

The CatsEye 6000 Series Video Inspection Tool consists of a micro CMOS colour camera and four high intensity LED lights which are housed in a small 5.5 mm OD waterproof probe tip. The probe provides the user with a real-time high resolution image on a 3.5" TFT screen. Still pictures and video clips are stored on a removable SD memory card. Images can be replayed or can be downloaded via a USB connection to a computer for long term archiving and/or reporting. Probe lengths are offered from 1 meter to 30 meters in length.

Spectrum Instruments Ltd.

The VBA-4E4A AS-Interface Junction Box Modules are just 28.65mm high and deliver 4in/4out functionality to support up to 62 nodes per network. All I/O is powered directly by the AS-Interface module, eliminating the need for any additional sources of power. The modules feature a low profile housing and are filled with epoxy to eliminate any potential for circuit board damage. They are well suited for use on pushbutton stations, conveyor side rails, specialty machines and junction boxes in material handling and specialty machine builder applications.

Pepperl+Fuchs

The Portable FlowCAM® particle imaging and analysis system travels conveniently as a laptop. It automatically takes high-resolution, digital images of individual particles and cells in a fluid, measures particle size, length, width, shape, fluorescence and dozens of other parameters in real time and saves the images and data along with time and date of collection for further analysis. The Portable FlowCAM is used in the processing line for sampling food, beverage, chemical, pharmaceutical and other products where the presence of particles and/or their characteristics impact product quality. It may be customized on site to target specific cells or particles while omitting non-target cells or particles by adjusting the mode of operation, magnification, flow rate and other settings.

Fluid Imaging Technologies, Inc.

The Wahl RM116 Micro-Ohmmeter is a low resistance tester, designed for maintenance departments, workshops, and field use, performing measurements on inductive and non-inductive resistances with a DC current. Rugged and easy to use, its large interactive display informs the operator in real time about the type of measurement, range, calculation conditions (resistance calculated according to a reference temperature), thresholds status and values. Designed for harsh conditions in a hard Pelicase® type case with plastic washable keyboard and key-locked measurement plugs, the RM116 has four measurement wires.

Wahl Instruments Inc.

Canadian Industrial Equipment News June 2008

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