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TECHNOLOGYSPOTLIGHT

Advances in technology across industry

NEW ECOLINE series – progress across the board

BITZER has introduced the complete NEW ECOLINE reciprocating compressor series, from 4 to 221 m³/h. The compressors are now even more versatile and available for other refrigerants than R134a – for example, R404A, R407A, R407C, R407F, R507A, and hydrocarbons. With the new series, BITZER is transferring all the advantages of the proven ECOLINE series for R134a refrigerant to an even broader range of applications, in order to provide customers with significant added value.

The extensive ECOLINE series stands out with higher efficiency levels and simultaneously expanded application limits – and can still fit into existing systems as a replacement.

The coefficient of performance (COP) was improved throughout the series. In terms of the usual nominal points, by 6%; at low condensing temperatures, which are important for seasonal efficiency, the increase was even up to 12%.

The compressors with motor version 2 are now universal refrigeration compressors – for full applicability in low temperature applications and medium temperature applications with, for example, R404A up to 0°C evaporation temperature, and even at tropical ambient temperatures. Motor versions 1 or 3 are provided for heat pumps, medium temperature applications with R134a, and special applications.

Each ECOLINE is compatible with its predecessor compressor, with an unaltered mounting hole pattern and the same pipe connections – with efficiency gains even when repairing existing systems. Visit: www.bitzer.de

BASF receives award for metal organic frameworks (MOFs) research

BASF has received the French Pierre Potier Prize for research achievements in the area of metal organic frameworks (MOFs).

BASF research scientists developed a process by which aluminum MOFs can be manufactured solvent-free on an industrial scale for the very first time. “With the innovative production process, we can now manufacture MOFs by the tonne and in that way enable their commercialisation,” said Dr Ulrich Müller, who heads MOF research in the BASF Process Research and Chemical Engineering division. “As the manufacturing process only uses water and no organic solvents at all, the method is particularly safe and eco-friendly.”

MOFs are suitable for numerous applications. BASF uses them for example for highly efficient storage of natural gas in gas powered vehicles. MOFs are made up of a three-dimensional metal organic framework with nanoscale pores. “The resultant very large internal surface and high porosity enables comparatively large amounts of gas to be stored in natural gas tanks. As a result, natural gas vehicles may be able to drive twice the distance on a single tank in future,” Müller said. Visit: www.basf.com

‘Talking’ robots could transform industry

Anew generation of software that will allow computers and robots to ‘converse’ with a person is being developed by University of Aberdeen scientists. The technology could be used to perform tasks as wideranging as unmanned exploratory missions in hostile environments, decommissioning nuclear power plants and maintaining and repairing railway lines. Dr Wamberto Vasconcelos from the University of Aberdeen’s School of Natural and Computing Sciences, said: “Autonomous systems – such as robots – are an integral part of modern industry, used to carry out tasks without continuous human guidance. However evidence shows there may be mistrust when there are no provisions to help a human to understand why an autonomous system has decided to perform a specific task, at a particular time, and in a certain way. What we are creating is a new generation of autonomous systems, which are able to carry out a two-way communication with humans.” The new systems being developed use technology called Natural Language Generation (NLG) – whereby complex information and data are translated into simple text summaries. Dr Vasconcelos continued: “Information and data created by the system, originally represented as symbols of mathematical logic, is automatically transformed into a simple text which can be easily understood by humans. This enables the system and a human to discuss a plan before a task – such as dismantling a nuclear plant – is undertaken.” Visit: www.abdn.ac.uk

The jacket that talks to Facebook

IN an emergency situation, we cannot expect rescue crews to do their jobs while fumbling with a tiny mobile phone when they need to read and send messages. A group of students at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology’s (NTNU) Department of Computer and Information Science (IDI) decided to create a prototype jacket that could communicate with Facebook.

They used the Arduino platform to create the physical user interface with social media. Arduino is a popular system used to develop physical prototypes that integrate with ICT. The platform that supports the jacket communicates with an ordinary Android mobile phone via BlueTooth.

They bought a simple lined jacket and inserted the cables and sensors between the inner and outer layers. Then they put a battery-operated circuit in the pocket, which controls the sensors and microphone. Instead of a telephone display, the jacket sleeve has a display sewn into it, showing a line of rolling text.

“By using social media technology, we can enable rescue groups to communicate, and this jacket with a customised user interface makes it easy and practical to use more advanced ICT in demanding rescue work,” says Babak Farshchian of Norwegian research organisation SINTEF. Visit: www.sintef.com