The new Advanced Modular Calibration System from GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies is a hand-held test and calibration system that combines an advanced, multi-function calibrator with world class pressure measurement and generation capability. Its modular concept allows its discrete components to be used as stand-alone instruments, allowing significant flexibility both in cost of ownership and in functionality. It will find application throughout all industrial sectors.

The Advanced Modular Calibration System uses three basic components to perform duties formerly requiring a wide range of different instruments. At its core is its advanced, electrical, frequency and temperature calibrator. This compact and robust multi-function unit can measure and source mA, mV, V, Ohms, frequency and a variety of RTDs and thermocouples. Pressure measurement is provided by interchangeable pressure modules that attach to the calibrator via a carrier. The calibrator and the pressure modules can also be attached to a pressure generation station to form a fully integrated, high performance pressure calibrator. Three pressure stations are available, so that pneumatic pressure from 95% vacuum to 20 bar or up to 100 bar can be generated while hydraulic pressure capability is from 0 to 1000 bar.

The system's rugged and weatherproof, multi-function DPI 620 calibrator has been designed with performance, ease of use and versatility in mind. It is two to three times smaller and weighs less than a third of some competitive calibrators and yet has one of the largest brightest displays. Its video quality, colour touch screen shows only those buttons necessary for the immediate, selected task and these buttons are big enough to permit operation by a gloved hand. The display itself can be configured to show up to six reading windows, which also act as active keys and, when pressed, expand to show more detailed information or to provide advance functions. Colour coding of displays is incorporated to facilitate fast sentencing.

The calibrator can be simply expanded by the addition of further hardware and software modules, including an Intecal field calibration and documentation manager, a wireless module and a 300 Vac measurement probe. It is fitted with a HART configurator as standard to provide digital communication with HART devices for interrogation, configuration and calibration, The DPI 620 is also available in a Windows CE-driven version, providing all the computing power of a conventional hand-held PC or PDA. The DPI 620CE provides standard Windows applications and file management and allows the user to view pdf files and jpeg images, such as user manuals, data sheets and installation drawings, while in the field or on the plant.

The pressure modules represent the latest in digital output sensor technology, incorporating a number of key innovations to allow pressure re-ranging of compatible equipment. Digital characterization and a simple screw fit allow interchangeability in a matter of seconds with no need for tools, set-up or calibration. The modules can be located in the module carrier, which can then be connected to the multi-function calibrator, to form a compact, hand-held test tool. Alternatively, the pressure modules can be located in the relevant pressure generation station to which the DPI 620 also locks in place to create a self contained pressure calibrator . Each of the pressure generation stations can also act in a stand-alone capacity to replace hand pumps and comparators. They are all simple to operate by hand and each represents a significant step forward in pressure generation technology. The 20 bar station features a conventional hand pump, volume adjuster and pressure/vacuum selector but will generate pressure with half the effort of conventional systems. The 100 bar pneumatic station represents a five fold increase in capability and solves the transportation and EHS issues of using gas bottles and regulators as a pressure source, while the 1000 bar hydraulic system generates pressure without priming into virtually any system volume thus avoiding the mess and wastage of bleeding open systems. Each station can be fitted with an overpressure protection device to protect both the pressure module and the device under test.

Available with a range of accessories, including soft carry cases and rigid transit solutions, the new modular system is expandable and adaptable to meet changing business and application requirements. A user can begin with the multi-function calibrator and then add pressure capability and other modularity over time. It offers significant cost savings through reduced inventory, user training and maintenance. The system has also been designed to cater for future system integration and incorporates USB and wireless connectivity and a micro SD memory slot.

BW Technologies by Honeywell announces the arrival of the GasAlertMax XT multi-detector for H2S, CO, O2 and combustible gases. Simplify remote sampling in confined spaces with the GasAlertMax XT's non-intrusive integrated sampling pump and SmartSample diaphragm pump technology. Compact and field tough, the GasAlertMax XT, with one-button operation and flexible user options, the GasAlertMax XT provides ease of use and simple compliance to industry safety standards.

GasAlertMax XT is ideally suited to a range of applications and customers including confined space entry, oil and gas, marine and shipping, utilities, wastewater treatment plants, power generation and municipal needs

Schlumberger announced today the availability of its StimMAP LIVE* hydraulic fracturing diagnostics service. This new service can optimize field drilling and production plans, reduce stimulation costs and allow process changes to be made in real time to maximize fracture effectiveness.

By analyzing microseismic events created during the fracturing process and automatically locating them in 3D space, the service maps the fractures while they are being created. As a result, the fracture treatment can be optimized.
"Simultaneous visualization of hydraulic fracture propagation enables operators' technical experts to make better onsite decisions," said Belgacem Chariag, president, Well Services, Schlumberger. "They can increase ultimate recovery by optimizing well placement, and reduce hydraulic fracturing and completion costs."

At the heart of the StimMAP LIVE service is a processing platform that automatically detects and locates microseismic events. Incorporation of this processing tool into hydraulic fracturing operations ensures identification and location of microseismic events orders of magnitude faster than hand picking. Use of the diagnostics in the software provides more reliability than manual methods. With StimMAP LIVE, more events can be identified more accurately during the fracturing operations, assuring better decisions for our customers' reservoirs.

The StimMAP LIVE service has been extensively field tested in North America resulting in increased fracture treatment effectiveness and gas recovery from unconventional resources.

Worldwide sales and engineering support for flue gas analyzers from AMETEK Thermox® and combustion efficiency and environmental monitoring equipment from Land Instruments are now available from AMETEK Process & Analytical Instruments. The merging of these functions of the two companies is made possible by the 2006 acquisition of Land by AMETEK.

AMETEK Thermox offers the process industry's most extensive line of flue gas analyzers for measuring oxygen, combustibles, methane and fuel-rich atmospheres. Its WDG-IVC combined Oxygen and Combustibles analyzers are a superior alternative to in-situ probes, even in heavy particulate and high-temperature flue gas streams, the company reports.

Based on a design pioneered by AMETEK, the WDG-IVC offers fast response, accuracy and ease of maintenance in a wide range of flue gas applications. It features a hot-wire catalytic detector that displays reduced drift and increased sensitivity to low-level carbon monoxide (CO) changes, while resisting the poisoning effects of SO2.

Land Instruments offers a comprehensive range of combustion efficiency and environmental monitoring instruments, including the FGA Series of flue gas analyzers. The FGA Series samples up to six pollutant gases (CO, NO NO2, SO2, O2 and CO2). Its dual sensor technology ensures stable long-term operation with high accuracy and very low drift.

Along with its range of combustion efficiency monitors and stack gas emissions analyzers, Land offers dust, opacity and smoke monitors, including the Model 4500 Premier low-level continuous opacity and dust compliance monitor. The Model 4500 Premier uses an advanced LED light source to reduce the effect of misalignment on the measured opacity, giving the instrument a 0 to 15 mg/m3 dust density capability.

Thermox and Land are units of AMETEK, Inc., a leading global producer of electronic instruments and electromechanical devices with annual sales of more than $1.8 billion.

Does your space get cramped when you need more cooling power? Is it hard to find a heat exchanger that can do the job? The APV ZephyrTM has what it takes - for a Heat Exchanger requiring high performance in a confined space.

New installations within Oil/Gas, Petrochemical, and Power etc. are getting bigger and the requirement for efficient heat transfer will continue to grow in the years to come. A small footprint, high efficiency, and easy cleaning access have made the gasketed plate heat exchanger the preferred technology for cooling. However, increasing cooling needs with higher flow rates and efficiency, often combined with space constraints, mean that the plate heat exchanger designs of just a few years ago may no longer be able to meet the needs of the newest plants.

APV is addressing the developing needs of the industrial business with the APV Zephyr™, a newcomer to the XL plate heat exchanger family of gasketed plate heat exchangers. The APV Zephyr™ can be customised and scaled to specific, heavy-duty heating and cooling applications and performance requirements. The range is available in various plate lengths to meet specific space requirements, has the muscle to handle exceptionally heavy loads, and takes up only a minimum of space.

Available in a huge variety of customisable designs, the APV Zephyr™ handles flow rates up to 3000 m3/h. The combination of 8 plate heights and 2 different plate gaps enables customisation of the APV Zephyr™ to meet the all requirements of any industrial application. Is the requirement a close temperature approach or special requirements to the pressure drops - the APV Zephyr™ has it all.

Like all APV Plate Heat Exchangers APV Zephyr™ is designed with the flexibility to either increase or decrease the heat transfer area in order to meet changing cooling capacity needs at your plant.

Higher performance and ROI

In addition to the many customisation options, the APV Zephyr™ offers some innovative advantages, ensuring a shorter pay-back time and higher return on investment. These include:
* a Graduated Distribution Area that extends run time between cleaning by ensuring uniform flow rate across the plate, making it less sensitive to fouling
* the EasyClip gasket that minimises service downtime through the fastest method of gasket attachment yet devised
* fewer scheduled service and maintenance stoppages mean less wear and lower spare parts costs