"May your walls know joy, may every room hold laughter, and every window open to great possibility." Mary Anne Radmacher
Happy Holidays from Combustion Technology, LLC
"May your walls know joy, may every room hold laughter, and every window open to great possibility." Mary Anne Radmacher
Equipment Used for Large Scale Hemp Drying
Hemp is now benefiting from a resurgence in popularity thanks to high demand for CBD oil, and commercial items including paper, textiles, clothing, biodegradable plastics, paint, insulation, biofuel, food, and animal feed. It's interesting to note that hemp oil is selling for approximately $1000 per liter. Expectations of the global industrial hemp market is projected to balloon to over $10 billion dollars by 2025.
Legalized as part of the 2018 Farm Bill, the Bill changed hemp from a controlled substance to an agricultural commodity. Hemp cultivation is attractive to farmers who have been impacted by the increases in tariffs on certain crops. Consumer demand, along with higher profits for farmers, are causing explosive growth. Hemp can be grown for its seed, fiber, or floral biomass.
Harvesting and drying of hemp is critical for CBD production. The presence of molds and mildews will lower the value of hemp floral biomass, so the harvest needs to be stabilized before mold, mildew, or decomposing can occur. Once hemp is harvested, it should be moved immediately moved to the drying facility to eliminate the moisture content in the harvested hemp.
The full article describes combustion type dryers and temperature control components used for high volume hemp drying. You can find it here.
For more information about this type of equipment, contact Combustion Technology, LLC. Call them at 800-327-1831 or learn more here.
The Basics of Closed Loop Control Systems
A closed loop control system uses a sensor that feeds current system information back to a controller. That information is then compared to a reference point or desired state. Finally, a corrective signal is sent to a control element that attempts to make the system achieve its desired state.
A very basic example of a temperature control loop includes a tank filled with product (the process variable), a thermocouple (the sensor), a thermostat (the controller), and a steam control valve feeding a tubing bundle (the final control element).
The video outlines all the major parts of the system, including the measured variable, the set point, the controlled variable, controller, error and disturbance.
For more information contact Combustion Technology, LLC. Call them at 800-327-1831 or visit them at https://combustion-tech.net.
Combustion Technology Salutes Our Veterans
Veterans Day is not just another holiday. It honors those Americans who fought for our freedom. By celebrating our Veterans, we continue to tell the story of how this country became the most powerful on Earth - through bravery, honor, truth, and determination.
Our Veterans are our neighbors, friends, family, and co-workers. They took an oath to defend the United States and our Constitution, from all enemies, foreign and domestic. We must never forget their bravery, service, and sacrifice.
Combustion Technology, LLC thanks our Veterans for serving our country and protecting our freedom.
FIREYE BurnerLogiX Microprocessor-Based Integrated Burner Management Control
For more information about the Fireye® products, contact Combustion Technology, LLC. In Vancouver call 360-253-9600; in Portland call 503-287-2500. Or visit https://combustion-tech.net.
Siemens Combustion Controls SKP Actuators and Gas Valves
The Siemens Combustion Controls SKP series electro-hydraulic actuators are used in combination with any Siemens VG series gas valve. This modular approach creates a matrix of valve combinations, allowing manufacturers to meet varied capacity and pressure regulation requirements.
For more information about Siemens Combustion Controls, contact Combustion Technology, LLC. In Vancouver call 360-253-9600; in Portland call 503-287-2500. Or visit https://combustion-tech.net.
Fox Thermal Mass Flowmeter Frequently Asked Questions
Fox Thermal Gas Mass Flowmeters are used in a wide variety of application across many industries including light and heavy industrial plants, process heating facilities, up/mid/downstream oil & gas, and water/wastewater treatment plants. Fox Thermal meters measure gas flow rates in mass (Kg/Hr, Lb/Hr) or standardized volumetric units (MSCFD, SCFM) and can measure virtually any gas flow. Many facilities today have one or more combustion processes, such as a boiler, process heater, or flares, in their plants. The adoption of accurate and reliable measurement devices will improve combustion efficiencies, utilities accounting, and regulator reporting.Flow Thermal offers a great FAQ (frequently asked questions) cut sheet. To get a copy of the Fox Thermal FAQ, go to this Combustion Technology web page.
For more information about Fox Thermal Instruments, contact Combustion Technology, LLC. In Vancouver call 360-253-9600; in Portland call 503-287-2500. Or visit https://combustion-tech.net.
The Siemens LME7 Flame Safeguard
Siemens LFL and LAL burner controls provide burner sequencing and flame monitoring for the supervision of individual gas, oil, or dual fueled burners. With an incomparable record for safety and reliability, the economical LFL continues to be one of the most popular, globally approved flame safeguard controls.
For more infomration about Siemens Combustion Controls products, contact Combustion Technology, LLC by calling 800-327-1831 or visit their web site at https://combustion-tech.net.
Fireye NMX2G Intelligent Boiler Load Optimizer
Heating of commercial and institutional buildings presents a case where there are energy savings available through the application of an additional controller able to substantially reduce boiler operation time.
Building owners, boiler engineers, operators and other stakeholders will benefit from this simple and understandable video explanation of some of the inefficiencies associated with boiler operation, and how incorporating a better control method can minimize boiler dry firing (also called standby cycling). Boiler operation costs can be reduced between 10% and 25%, with a commensurate reduction in carbon footprint, by including the Fireye NXM2G control in the boiler control system.
Watch the above video. It's just a few minutes and explains the source of the inefficiency, as well as the solution, in a manner understandable to everyone. More information is available from a combustion product specialist, who can help evaluate the efficiency of your current system or assist with incorporating the latest energy saving features and design into a new installation.
For more information about combustion control and optimization, contact Combustion Technology, LLC. In Vancouver call 360-253-9600; in Portland call 503-287-2500. Or visit https://combustion-tech.net.
Thermal Dispersion Flow Meters
Thermal dispersion mass flow meters provide an accurate means of mass flow measurement with no moving parts and little or no encroachment on the media flow path. There are a number of different configurations to be found among various manufacturers, but all function in basically the same manner.
Two sensors are exposed to the heat transferring effect of the flowing media. When the media composition is known, the mass flow can be calculated using the meter reading and the pipe cross sectional area. One of the flow meter sensors is heated, the other is allowed to follow the media temperature as a reference. The heat dispersion from the heated sensor is measured and used to calculate mass flow.
Some positive attributes of thermal dispersion flow meters:
- In-line and insertion configurations available to accommodate very small to large pipe sizes
- Rugged Construction
- No moving parts
- Measure liquid or gas in a wide range of applications
- Measurement not adversely impacted by changes in pressure or temperature
- Wide range of process connections
- In-line versions provide unobstructed flow path
- Wide turndown suitable for extended flow range
- Flow rate and totalized flow
- 4-20 mA output interfaces easily with other instruments and equipment
What is Cascade Control?
Cascade control is a technique used to enable processes with long lags to be controlled with the fastest possible response to process disturbances including setpoint changes, whilst still minimizing the potential for overshoot. This is achieved by controlling a secondary, more responsive process that influences the main process. The main process is controlled using a master PID loop, the output of which is used to determine the setpoint of the secondary process which is controlled by a second PID loop. This second loop is referred to as the slave loop.Ideal for:
- Heat treatment furnaces
- Vacuum furnaces
- Autoclaves
- Semiconductor diffusion
- Batch reaction vessels
- Heat exchangers
- Crystal growth
- Distillation columns
US Power Grids, Oil and Gas Industries, and Risk of Hacking
A report released in June, from the security firm Dragos, describes a worrisome development by a hacker group named, “Xenotime” and at least two dangerous oil and gas intrusions and ongoing reconnaissance on United States power grids.
Multiple ICS (Industrial Control Sectors) sectors now face the XENOTIME threat; this means individual verticals – such as oil and gas, manufacturing, or electric – cannot ignore threats to other ICS entities because they are not specifically targeted.
The Dragos researchers have termed this threat proliferation as the world’s most dangerous cyberthreat since an event in 2017 where Xenotime had caused a serious operational outage at a crucial site in the Middle East.
The fact that concerns cybersecurity experts the most is that this hacking attack was a malware that chose to target the facility safety processes (SIS – safety instrumentation system).
For example, when temperatures in a reactor increase to an unsafe level, an SIS will automatically start a cooling process or immediately close a valve to prevent a safety accident. The SIS safety stems are both hardware and software that combine to protect facilities from life threatening accidents.
At this point, no one is sure who is behind Xenotime. Russia has been connected to one of the critical infrastructure attacks in the Ukraine. That attack was viewed to be the first hacker related power grid outage.
This is a “Cause for Concern” post that was published by Dragos on June 14, 2019.
“While none of the electric utility targeting events has resulted in a known, successful intrusion into victim organizations to date, the persistent attempts, and expansion in scope is cause for definite concern. XENOTIME has successfully compromised several oil and gas environments which demonstrates its ability to do so in other verticals. Specifically, XENOTIME remains one of only four threats (along with ELECTRUM, Sandworm, and the entities responsible for Stuxnet) to execute a deliberate disruptive or destructive attack.
XENOTIME is the only known entity to specifically target safety instrumented systems (SIS) for disruptive or destructive purposes. Electric utility environments are significantly different from oil and gas operations in several aspects, but electric operations still have safety and protection equipment that could be targeted with similar tradecraft. XENOTIME expressing consistent, direct interest in electric utility operations is a cause for deep concern given this adversary’s willingness to compromise process safety – and thus integrity – to fulfill its mission.
XENOTIME’s expansion to another industry vertical is emblematic of an increasingly hostile industrial threat landscape. Most observed XENOTIME activity focuses on initial information gathering and access operations necessary for follow-on ICS intrusion operations. As seen in long-running state-sponsored intrusions into US, UK, and other electric infrastructure, entities are increasingly interested in the fundamentals of ICS operations and displaying all the hallmarks associated with information and access acquisition necessary to conduct future attacks. While Dragos sees no evidence at this time indicating that XENOTIME (or any other activity group, such as ELECTRUM or ALLANITE) is capable of executing a prolonged disruptive or destructive event on electric utility operations, observed activity strongly signals adversary interest in meeting the prerequisites for doing so.”
The Importance of Gas Composition and Calibration and their Effects on Flow Meter Accuracy
Thermal Flow Meter Calibration for Natural Gas Service
Errors associated with the calibration of flow meters for natural gas service can be costly but can also be mitigated using an advanced flow meter design that allows field-adjustment of the natural gas composition without loss of accuracy.
This outstanding case study, courtesy of Fox Thermal Instruments, discusses the importance of gas composition and calibration and their effects on flow meter accuracy.
For more information on natural gas flow measurement, contact Combustion Technology by calling 360-253-9600 in Vancouver, 503-287-2500 in Portland, or you can visit their website at https://combustion-tech.net.
The Honeywell Maxon CROSSFIRE® Line Burner
The Maxon CROSSFIRE® Burners are nozzle-mixing, modular line burners designed for a variety of fresh and recirculated air process heating applications. The burner is available in a variety of arrangements, including straight, grid and ladder sections. An external blower supplies combustion air.
Or review it in the embedded document below.
For more information about any Honeywell Maxon product, contact Combustion Technology, LLC by calling:
Vancouver: 360-253-9600
Portland: 503-287-2500
Or visit their website at https://combustion-tech.net.
Or review it in the embedded document below.
For more information about any Honeywell Maxon product, contact Combustion Technology, LLC by calling:
Vancouver: 360-253-9600
Portland: 503-287-2500
Or visit their website at https://combustion-tech.net.
Combustion Technology, LLC
Combustion Technology, LLC will expertly help you:
- Apply Process Heating Equipment & Combustion Components
- Engineer Systems
- Regulatory Safety Audits
- Troubleshoot Combustion Equipment
- Provide Upgrades & Repairs
- Provide Maintenance Agreements
- Combustion Efficiency Audits
- UL 508 Control Panels
800-327-1831
Flame Scanners Used in Industry
Flame detectors or scanners are regularly deployed in combustion applications as a means of confirming the presence of flame in a combustion chamber. The verification that fuel flowing into the utilization equipment is being properly burned and not accumulating unburned in the combustion chamber is the first line of safety in combustion.
Flame scanners use the characteristics of combustion and the electromagnetic emissions from burning fuel to detect flame and distinguish among flames from multiple burners. The instruments rely heavily upon operating principles utilizing visible, infrared, and ultraviolet light measurement and detection.
In single burner applications, simpler sensor and controller combinations can work suitably, but multiple flame applications are candidates for more complex detection devices and controls which can discriminate among multiple flames. Differences in individual flame characteristics, indicated through combustion products, can be utilized to distinguish between flames from different burners. Some photoelectric detectors can distinguish a signature flicker in flames of any type, invisible to the human eye.
Knowledge and understanding of the flame itself, its emissive attributes, and other characteristics are the key to proper flame detection. This may include the temperature of gases within the flame and its specific gas products. Other than temperature, electromagnetic radiation and ionized gas molecules in the flame are commonly used by flame scanners or detectors.
A variety of flame scanners are available for industrial and commercial use, each optimized for particular application sets. Essentially you have a scanner, which acts as a sensor. The signal from the scanner requires amplification and further processing to provide a reliable control signal. Hardware is available as discreet components, allowing a combination of scanner, amplifier, and control units to be combined into a system tailored for specific application requirements. Integrated systems are also available, with all appropriate detection and amplification circuitry built into a single compact unit.
Share your combustion process challenges with application specialists and combine your facility and process knowledge with their product application expertise to develop effective solutions.
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