in focus British Rototherm News Update | Summer 2010
The sky ‘s the limit - how Rototherm gauges are keeping the world’s airlines flying
Intrinsic Safety
....................................................... An introduction to intrinsic safety
Rototherm goes interactive
....................................................... Rototherm launches a new e-commerce web site - Rototherm Online
Multi-stage Restriction
....................................................... How these devices can solve your cavitation problems
Contents.........
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British Rototherm News Update | Summer 2010
Rototherm has the power
................................................................
able for use on the power generation industry
Focusing on Rototherm products that are suit
03 Elite SafeGauge - the sky’s the limit
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How the Rototherm SafeGauge is being used around the world in aircraft safety
04 Intrinsic Safety
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An overview of intrinsic safety and what it means to instrumentation engineers
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Charts recorders for every application
An overview of the wide range of Rototherm chart
................................................................ recorders
07 Making an exhibition of ourselves
................................................................ A round us of the various exhibitions that Rototherm is participating in this year
08 Rototherm goes interactive
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08
otothermonline
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Rototherm launches a new e-commerce web site - Rototherm Online
09 Multi-stage Restriction
................................................................ How these devices can solve your cavitation
problems
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The big cheese
How Rototherm products are helping British dairy product producers
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Click this icon button to visit the web page relevant to the article or product
Click this icon button to download a digital data sheet relevant to the article or product
Click this icon button to visit Rototherm’s online shop where the product is available to purchase
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www.rototherm.co.uk
Interactive buttons
Rototherm has the power
As the UK’s leading manufacturer of industrial instrumentation, it’s no wonder the world’s leading power generation companies have come to trust us for the supply of quality temperature, pressure and flow measuring equipment. With over 100 years combined manufacturing experience, British Rototherm and Thermocouple Instruments have come together to form the UK’s premier instrument supplier. Rototherm manufactures a range of products specifically designed for use in the power generation industry. These include •
Mineral Insulated Power Station Thermocouples
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Seamless Stainless Steel Sheathed Mineral Insulated Thermocouples
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Sheath material options: 310, 321, 316 stainless steel and Inconel 600
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Options for 1.5mm, 3mm, 4.5mm and 6mm diameter MI cable
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GDCD16 power station specification material available.
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Acromet solid tip extensions available on all MI cable diameters.
Rototherm also offers an extensive range of thermowells that are used extensively in the power, process, pharmaceutical and petrochemical industries. Thermowells are used to protect temperature indicators and sensors from process media and enable the servicing or replacement of sensors without the need to shut down plant. Available in a wide range of styles and materials, all British Rototherm thermowells are manufactured to the highest standards of finish in our modern, well equipped machine shop and are manufactured to Rototherm’s high quality standard that is approved to ISO9001:2008. Rototherm is proud to supply instrumentation to all of the UK’s leading power generation supply companies, as well as manufacturers of power generation equipment.
TM
ISO9001:2008
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Elite SafeGauge takes to the skies
The Rototherm SafeGauge safety pattern tyre pressure gauge incorporates a series of new and unique features that have given rise to new standards of safety in aircraft ground support. The SafeGauge is available with a 100 mm dial and uses the unique “SafeCase“ solid front, blow out back design that provides operator protection, over and above the basic requirements of the European Pressure Gauge Standard EN837. Being retained on the gauge by a centre screw, the blow out back prevents the risk of injury due to flying debris from the rear of the case in the unlikely event of Bourdon tube failure. Protected in a rubber case, the SafeGauge is a robust, easy to use pressure gauge ready for the most demanding ground support requirements.
All Rototherm tyre pressure gauges are supplied calibrated before leaving our factory - and - if required - a factory calibration certificate can be supplied (traceable to UK National Standards).
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The gauge is offered with either a fixed or flexible hose for connecting to the tyre - and each gauge is supplied with a choice of Type 5265 (small bore) and Type 4660A (large bore) Schrader™valve fittings - with quick release connections. A robust ABS carry case is offered as a useful accessory. SafeGauge is currently being supplied to major airlines, aircraft manufacturers and ground support companies around the world from Australia to North America, Europe to Asia. SafeGauge safety pattern tyre pressure gauges are now available to buy online - please click the shopping link at the bottom of this page.
Intrinsic Safety: a beginners guide
ATEX
APPROVED PRODUCTS
Intrinsic safety (IS) is a protection technique for safe operation of electronic equipment in explosive atmospheres. The concept was developed for safe operation of process control instrumentation in hazardous areas, particularly North Sea gas platforms. As a discipline, it is an application of Inherent safety in Instrumentation. The theory behind intrinsic safety is to ensure that the available electrical and thermal energy in the system is always low enough that ignition of the hazardous atmosphere cannot occur. This is achieved by ensuring that only low voltages and currents enter the hazardous area, and that all electric supply and signal wires are protected by zener safety barriers. Sometimes an alternative type of barrier known as a galvanic isolation barrier may be used. In normal uses, electrical equipment often creates internal tiny sparks in switches, motor brushes, connectors, and in other places. Such sparks can ignite flammable substances present in air. A device termed intrinsically safe is designed to not contain any components that produce sparks or which can hold enough energy to produce a spark of sufficient energy to cause an ignition. For example, during marine transfer operations when flammable products are transferred between the marine terminal and tanker ships or barges, two-way radio communication needs to be constantly maintained in case the transfer needs to stop for unforeseen reasons such as a spill. The United States Coast Guard for example requires that the two way radio must be certified as intrinsically safe. Another aspect of intrinsic safety is controlling abnormal small component temperatures. Under certain fault conditions (such as an internal short inside a semiconductor device), the temperature of a component case can rise to a much higher level than in normal use. Safeguards, such as current limiting
by resistors and fuses, must be employed to ensure that in no case can a component reach a temperature that could cause autoignition of a combustible atmosphere. No single field device or wiring is intrinsically safe by itself (except for battery-operated, self contained devices), but is intrinsically safe only when employed in a properly designed IS system. All systems are provided with detailed instructions with the proper instructions to ensure safe use. British Rototherm manufactures a wide range of intrinsically safe instrumentation suitable for use in hazardous areas. products include digital pressure gauges, digital thermometers and a wide range of temperature assemblies including ATEX approved temperature transmitters. For more details please contact Rototherm sales or click the link below to view products.
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Chart recorders for every applications
• • • • •
Temperature, Pressure, Flow & Humidity Rugged design & construction Accurate & reliable measuring systems Up to 3 recording pens Simple installation & maintenance required
An extensive range of chart recorders and controllers which Include programmable microprocessor electric-input recorder controllers and a wide range of mechanical recorders for temperature, pressure, humidity and flow with options for electrical or pneumatic control. Rototherm chart recorders can be used to record and control: •
Temperature
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Pressure
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Humidity
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Flow
Each recorder is supplied with a packet of 100 charts and 1 spare packet of pens for each pen specified. Consumable items and spare parts are readily available from British Rototherm Clearscan Chart Recorders The Clearscan range of recorders is suitable for most industrial applications and can be fitted with up to 3 pens for recording temperature, pressure and flow. Sentinel Micro-processor based chart recorders The Sentinel range of micro-processor based circular chart recorders is available in 1, 2 and 3 channel versions. Sentinel combines the simplicity and clarity of pen drawn traces together with the versatility of microprocessor control. Sentinel chart recorders are now available buy online - please click the basket icon for more details
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• • • • •
Fully mechanical versions available Choice of mounting options - wall / panel / portable / pipe Electrical control options Pneumatic control options Spares and consumables widely available
RTO Series Temperature Chart Recorders The filled system range of temperature circular chart recorders uses the well proven and reliable Rototherm stainless steel thermal system. Up to three pens can be fitted with three temperature systems or a combination of temperature, pressure or flow sensing systems. RPO Series Pressure Chart Recorders The RPO series of pressure circular chart recorders uses the well proven and reliable Rototherm non ferrous or stainless steel pressure system. Up to three pens can be fitted with three pressure systems or combination of temperature, pressure or flow sensing systems. Clearscan C105/M105 Pressure & Temperature Chart Recorders Developed from the ex Kent Industrial Measurement and Cambridge range of circular chart recorders, the round case C105 and rectangular cased M105, continue to be available and still offer the same reliability and versatility that has been manufactured for the past 30 years.
Sentinel Recorders
Clearscan Recorders
C105 Recorders
M105 Recorders
RPO / RTO Recorders
RTH Recorders
Maximum number of pens
Chart Diameter
Wall Mounting
Portable Mounting
2” pipe mounting
Electric chart drive
Mechanical chart drive
All mechanical version
Temperature / Pressure
Temperature / Humidity
Electrical Input
Electrical Control
Pneumatic Control
Flow version
Timber Kiln version
Dairy version
Chart Recorders - features
Sentinel Microprocessor Recorders
3
9”
v
j
J
v
J
J
j
j
v
v
J
j
j
j
Clearscan Recorders
3
12”
v
j
j
j
v
j
j
J
J
J
J
j
J
J
C105 Recorders
2
10”
v
j
j
v
j
j
j
J
J
J
J
J
J
J
M105 Recorders
2
10”
v
J
J
v
j
j
j
J
J
j
j
J
j
J
RPO Pressure Recorders
3
9”
v
j
j
v
j
j
j
J
J
j
j
J
J
J
RTO Temperature Recorders
3
9”
v
j
j
v
j
j
j
J
J
j
j
J
J
J
RTH Series Recorders
2
9”
v
j
J
v
J
J
J
j
J
J
J
J
J
J
v = standard j = option J = not available
please refer to product data sheets and catalogues for full product specifications
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A good year for exhibitions Rototherm will be having a busy 2010 participating in several major overseas exhibitions. Working closely with our top distributors in key markets, Rototherm products will be seen by thousands of buyers across the world. Exhibitions this year include:
ADNEC - Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre - the venue of this years ADIPEC 2010 Exhibition
POGEE Pakistan 8th International Exhibition for the Energy Industry
Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, Perth, Western Australia
Oil & Gas West Asia Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
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Karachi Expo Centre Pakistan
Rototherm goes interactive
In an exciting development to the already well regarded Rototherm group web sites, British Rototherm has recently launched its first e-commerce site - Rototherm Online. Initially available to UK customers only, the site offers a wide range of Rototherm products, available on fast delivery times, as well as representating a considerable price saving on standard list prices.
Rotothermonline www.rototherm-online.co.uk
The objective of the site is to give our UK customers a faster, more economical way of buying their product - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Products featured on the Rototherm Online web site include: • • • • • • •
Chart Paper Disposable fibre tipped pens for all Rototherm Chart Recorders Chart Drive Motors Stainless steel pressure gauges - available in a wide range of dial sizes, process connections and pressure ranges Sentinel Chart Recorders Aircraft Tyre Pressure Gauges Pressure Gauge Accessories
Payment can be made via the Secure server by all major credit and debit cards and all stock items are despatched with 2 working days for fast delivery.
The popular range of Sentinel chart recorders are featured on the site with extremely competitive online pricing.
Rototherm hopes to have the e-commerce website available to our overseas customers in the near future.
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Multi-Stage Restriction Orifice Plates Restriction orifice plates have traditionally been used to reduce pressures in GAS AND LIQUID FLOWS by forcing the flow through a restricted bore. The precise pressure drop is produced by accurately calculating the orifice bore, having taken into account all the relevant process and flow conditions.
FLASHING is a similar phenomenon to cavitation except that the process pressure never recovers sufficiently to collapse the gas bubbles resulting in two phase flow - liquid and gas - downstream of the orifice. Erosion of pipe work and valves and other instrumentation can occur due to the impact of liquid droplets carried at high speed in the vapour flow.
Applications • Gas and Liquid Flows • High Pressure Drops
CHOKED FLOW IN GASES – also know as critical flow – occurs when too large a pressure drop is attempted across a single orifice plate. When the downstream pressure is less than 52.8% of the upstream pressure, the flow through the orifice will become sonic, at which point no further increase in flow can be achieved by either increasing the upstream pressure or lowering the downstream pressure. A multistage RO will enable staged reductions in pressure to prevent choked flow occurring. Rototherm Multistage ROs are manufactured from a wide range of materials and are engineered to meet specific project process conditions and requirements. Plates are usually welded into pipe with a separation of one pipe diameter, the number of plates and orifice bores being determined by calculation. Process connections to existing pipe work can be either standard process flanges or machined ends suitable for butt welding.
Prevents • Cavitation and Flashing in Liquid flows • Choked flow in gases. • Excessive Noise / Vibration Where very HIGH PRESSURE DROPS in liquid flows are required MULTISTAGE RESTRICTION ORIFICE ASSEMBLIES may be required to achieve the desired pressure drop whilst preventing problems such as CAVITATION, FLASHING and high NOISE and VIBRATION levels. CAVITATION is a potentially damaging, erosive condition which occurs when the internal pressure of the liquid passing through the orifice falls below its vapour pressure and vapour bubbles form. Further downstream from the orifice the pressure recovers sufficiently to collapse the bubbles with extreme violence. Cavitation calculations are performed during the design stage of a Multistage RO to calculate cavitaion factors at each stage in the orifice assembly.
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As well as multi-stange assemblies - Rototherm manufacture a wide range of standard plate orifice plates - ‘concentric square edged’ for general application, ‘conical entrance’ or ‘quarter circle’ for low Reynolds number flows, and ‘segmental’ or ‘eccentric’ for flows containing light solids and slurries.
The big cheese: A spotlight on dairy application products
Since Rototherm manufactured the first bimetallic back in 1934, Rototherm products have been widely used by dairy farmers and producers across the UK. Ideal for food and dairy process applications, our high quality instruments are regarded as the most reliable and accurate to be found anywhere.
A gasketed lockable door with tough acrylic window protects the internal components to IP65. The slim case is ideal for shallow compartments, and will RETROFIT in place of Rototherm, Negretti, Honeywell, ABB Kent-Taylor, Chessel or Foxboro models.
Included in the dairy range is the dedicated Sentinel Pasteurising Recorder Controller. The 3 pen format allows recording of HOT and COLD product temperatures, plus an EVENT PEN which records Divert Valve position on any portion of the chart. Recording using “dual-zone” or “half-chart” format is easily set-up, and event pen step sizes are easily adjusted to suit any user. DIVERT CONTROL is a standard feature with accurate, reliable switching via a 6 amp output relay. An additional DIVERT PROTECT facility allows over temperature trip-out if the sensor fails. An advanced BACK-LIT DISPLAY offers the user a UNIQUE indication of the pasteuriser status during operation. The HOT and COLD values are continuously indicated on the top display line, whilst “FORWARD”, “DIVERT”, “AUTO” or “MANUAL” are shown on the bottom display line, and continuously updated as the status changes. Control/Alarm SET POINTS are easily displayed at the touch of a button and the status of output relays is continually indicated by colour-coded LED’s.
The Sentinel is SIMPLE TO OPERATE. Sensor type, chart range, display units, chart speed and relay actions are easily and quickly modified if needed. The Sentinel SEN 30P can be supplied fully set-up to suit individual customer requirements and makes full use of the EXTENSIVE list of pre-printed pasteurising charts in the Rototherm range.
Three selectable levels of SECURITY, including password and hardware locks are available to stop unauthorised access and alteration of the instrument. Housed in a STRONG moulded case, which can be wall, panel or pipe mounted, the Sentinel is designed for rugged environments.
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