Used cooking oil can be easily recycled. All that is required the availability of a recycling plant and the used cooking oil to recycle. It is not a difficult process and anyone who would want to venture into the industry can quickly learn how to do it. They can then source for the used cooking oil and they are in the business of recycling.
Here are some advantages of used cooking oil recycling.
For your business
If you own a business, used cooking oil recycling is here to help you. Used cooking oil can be recycled to become fuel. If you are in the transportation business, you now have cheaper fuel for your trucks.
Further, in the agriculture industry, used oil recycling can be used to develop high quality organic fertilizer. This is fertilizer that you can trust to not only help produce healthy and nutritious crops but to also help balance and improve your soil in the long run. Organic fertilizer is much cheaper, and you can therefore make significant savings as you farm.
For your home
At home, used cooking oil recycling has numerous benefits. You will never again have your kitchen sink and drainage clogged by used cooking oil. Many people drain their used cooking oil down the sink which leads to clogging.
When you accept to be part of the people who want to have used cooking oil recycled, your recycling team will give you a container in which to pour your used cooking oil. Then you will agree on a day and time that they will come to collect it and leave you with another empty container.
For the environment
Another advantage of recycling used cooking oil is felt in the environment.
In many cities and municipalities, you will find numerous drainage systems full and overflowing.
A major cause for this pollution is used cooking oil. When it is drained in the sink at home and in restaurants, it gets into the sewage system, where it causes blockages that lead to overflow of sewage onto the city roads.
In addition to sinks, many landfills have lots of poorly disposed of used cooking oil. Recycling helps develop better methods of disposal, ensuring that none of the oil finds its way to landfills.
Recycled used cooking oil is also used as an alternative to biodiesel. It is much cheaper and easier to produce and does not affect the price and supply of food in a country or region.
For the economy
Recycling used cooking oil is also a boon to the economy.
With an improvement to the environment, it is likely that the country gets cleaner. This means that it can attract people from other countries to live, work and invest in your clean country.
Used cooking oil recycling also creates jobs for hundreds of people. It creates new jobs for the teams of people collecting the used oil from homes and restaurants. It creates high level jobs for the scientists who understand the chemistry of turning used cooking oil into soap or fertilizer.
With the creation of new jobs, the economy will have more people engaged and more money circulating in it. As a result, there will be significant economic growth in the country driven by used oil recycling.
For your pets
Used oil recycling also has significant advantages to your pets and animals. Used cooking oil can be recycled and turned into healthy, nutritious, organic animal and pet feeds.
Recycled used cooking oil creates high quality fish feeds and dog food. It also creates high quality pig and cattle feed.
Conclusion
Recycling used cooking oil is full of advantages. It can be converted into many things that are useful at home and in industry. It helps bring about a cleaner environment with fewer overflowing drainage systems clogged by used cooking oil that was drained down the sink. It also contributes significantly in developing organic farming affordably.
Every single one of us can do something to improve our impact on the planet, but it is a given that businesses of all sizes have a bigger footprint than families – commercial accounts for 12% of total greenhouse gas emissions. A big factor of that is waste management. From the physical process of picking up garbage, to the methane-released process of decomposition, there are numerous factors that add up to create a large carbon footprint.
A key form of commercial waste is food waste. Between the home and restaurant, it is estimated by the US Department of Agriculture that 133 billion pounds of food is wasted every year. Much will end up in the landfill. How is technology helping to tackle this huge source of environmental waste? Restaurants themselves are benefiting from lower priced and higher quality commercial kitchen cooking equipment, that helps to raise standards and reduce wastage.
Culinary appliances for varied cuisines also benefit from a new process being developed at the Netherland’s Wageningen University. A major driver of food waste is rejected wholesale delivery, much of which will be disposed of in landfill. The technology being developed in Holland aims to reduce wastage by analyzing food at the source, closer to where recycling will be achievable.
Route optimization
Have you ever received a parcel from an online retailer only to find the box greatly outsizes the contents? On the face of it, this is damaging to the environment. However, many retailers use complex box sorting algorithms. The result is that the best route is chosen on balance, considering the gas needed to make the journey, the amount of stock that can be delivered and the shortest route for the driver. This is an area of intense technological innovation.
The National Waste & Recycling Association reported in 2017 on how 2018 would see further advances, particularly with the integration of artificial intelligence and augmented reality into the route-finding process.
Balancing the landfill carbon footprint
It is well established that landfills are now being used to power wind turbines, geothermal style electricity and so on. They are being improved to minimize the leachate into groundwater systems and to prevent methane escaping into the atmosphere. However, further investigation is being pushed into the possibility of using landfill as a carbon sequester.
AI-based waste management systems can help in route optimization and waste disposal
Penn State University, Lawrence Berkeley and Texas University recently joined together to secure a $2.5m grant into looking into the function of carbon, post-sequestration. This will help to shed light on the carbon footprint and create a solid foundation on which future technology can thrive.
Businesses of all sizes have an impact on the carbon footprint of the world. The various processes that go into making a business profitable and have a positive impact on their local and wider communities need to be addressed. As with many walks of life, technology is helping to bridge the gap.
Paper has many different uses. Receipts, paper bags, cartons, and books all use paper. That being said, the utility of paper is quite clear especially given the fact that the world is going greener by the day. However, while there has been a lot of progress in attaining a green standard in the paper and pulp industry, there’ve also been quite a few challenges.
Also, as our contemporary society has evolved over the years, the demand for paper has increased exponentially. Probably because we use a lot of it. It comes as no surprise then that the world is creating sustainable processes and innovations to increase yields to sustain the ever-increasing demand for paper globally. You’d be right in saying that the rate of innovation, as far as making paper is concerned, is quite rapid.
Unfortunately, paper and pulp production account for some of the pollutions in our society. Also, plenty of water is wasted during the process. As much as 100 liters of water can go into making a kilogram of paper. Moreover, due to poor industry practices, the polluted water that comes out as a byproduct of this process is dumped in places where it shouldn’t be e.g., the ocean. Also, on that note, a lot of energy is wasted in the process. Almost every stage of the paper-making process uses a lot of energy.
Also, in the world’s bid to make the future renewable, wood will be a very important part of this transition. Therefore, sustainable forestry should be instituted as a matter of urgency otherwise it will be hard to meet our targets. Mind you if resources are used improperly, unwanted consequences may arise.
That being said, the following is a brief guide on sustainable paper and pulp production. It details some of the things you need to know about the industry seeing that it’s an industry that’s seen many advancements over the years. It also gives some vital outlooks as far as sustainable forestry is concerned.
1. Sustainable Manufacturing and Harvesting
Wood is the primary raw material in the paper-making process. Paper is made from pulp and pulp is made from fibers (cellulose) found in wood. As such, plenty of wood is required to produce more and to meet demand. Thus, the necessity of sustainable forestry. More forest is needed to harvest and produce more. The move towards sustainable paper and pulp production has to be facilitated by adopting innovative technology. Here’s why:
Since production starts in the forest, you need the machinery to harvest the wood. Sawing equipment like deck saws and saw chains are used to cut and log trees for further processing. To minimize wastage and save time, you need the help of advanced technologies. Reputable brands like Pacific Trail Manufacturing have a wide array of equipment to choose from. They have the most cutting-edge technologies in terms of sawing trees.
Moreover, if sustainability is to be attained in the paper and pulp production industry, it should start somewhere at the source (forest) e.g., if you salvage time savings, money savings, and reduce waste (water and electricity) by using advanced technology when harvesting wood, these costs, and environmental advantages will trickle down the value chain.
Machine technology is more effective and efficient compared to the human hand. Humans are not as fast as computers, robots, and machines. Since machines are more productive, they make fewer mistakes than humans. Mind you, making mistakes may not be good for a business’s bottom line. That’s why the paper and pulp production process is mostly automated. Human involvement is needed before upkeep and maintenance. From source to processing to the end product, every part of the production has some form of automation in it. A sustainable future cannot be secured apart from innovation, information and technology, and machinery.
2. Forest Biodiversity
This establishment of sustainable forests is good for the industry. It allows for the spread and diversification of plant species. Also, if done right, it contributes towards environmental equilibrium. While it is true that some people still engage in irresponsible logging activities, there’s still a concerted effort toward making the paper-making process environmentally sustainable. You certainly don’t want to produce paper at the expense of natural habitats. Also, you do not want to destroy habitats all for the sake of meeting a demand for paper. It makes a lot of economic sense, but it’s morally skewed.
Moreover, when forests are grown specifically for raising trees that will be used in the paper in paper production, we preserve the integrity of the nature reserves surrounding those areas. That’s why it’s important to have regulations in place that govern how sustainable forestry should be done. You need to work with nature lest it works against you.
Furthermore, the whole point of sustainability is to improve productivity without worsening the condition of nature. Otherwise, we will pay a heavy price for disrupting the equilibrium that’s already there. Thankfully we have experts in the field of biodiversity research. Tons of research help people to understand the dynamics of nature, what to look out for, and how we can improve production without damaging our environment.
3. Certification
The objective of certification procedures in forestry is to legitimize the paper and pulp production process. It’s no secret that healthy forests are essential in building a sustainable production process. The paper production industry accounts for a lot of waste as mentioned before. So, if sustainable production is to be attained, regulation is required.
In North America, there are three notable programs in place to help validate processes of harvest and production namely the American Tree Farming System (ATTS), Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), and the Sustainable Forest Initiative (SFI). They are all different regarding the key focus areas they intend to address. But the end goal is more or less the same, to instill credibility accountability in forestry.
These programs can elaborate on the practices which are supposed to be followed by all landowners as far as growing trees and sustainably harvesting them is concerned. Those landowners who can prove their certification automatically improve their credibility. They will also have greater access to other markets. The more landowners that partner with such endeavors, the more sustainable the value chain will be. Remember, if any sustainable future is to be secured, it has to start from the source.
An additional benefit of managing forests is that the paper and pulp industry accounts for a lot of jobs globally. Establishing regulations that protect forests can contribute to protecting the jobs of the many people who are employed in the industry. Throughout the value chain, you will find that there are a lot of people who are employed from the tree cutting to the final product (paper).
4. Renewable Energy
Paper is perhaps one of the most renewable substances on this planet. Paper recycling is quite popular nowadays and it accounts for much of the paper that we use. The fact that paper is recyclable means that it’s a better substitute for non-renewable substances like plastic. The more that our world gravitates towards a pro-paper society, the more inventive people have to be to extract more volumes of paper from waste and landfills.
Demand is and will most likely stay high. Recycling is going to be a part of the renewable future that the world is aiming towards. A lot of energy is lost in processing and extracting paper. Therefore, innovation will be a constant feature insofar as attaining sustainable paper and pulp induction is concerned.
Also, relying too much on energy can be deleterious because it means that if a power cut occurs, the whole process will be affected. Using renewable energy sources to facilitate production can help. Renewable sources of energy like biomass and solar energy are alternatives to electrical energy.
Although the energy from renewables is hard to harness, it’s possible to create hybrid systems that utilize both renewable and non-renewable energy. If the production process is transformed into a renewable machine as much as possible, less energy is wasted and fewer emissions are produced. A renewable energy cycle can be created wherein most parts of the system are powered by green energy.
5. The Problem of Deforestation
Deforestation is a big problem. Agriculture, mining, and construction projects are the main causes of deforestation. It’s a practice that marks the epitome of unsustainable forestry. Harvesting trees without replacing them will lead to all kinds of problems in the long run.
If people make the habit of cutting forests illegally and not replacing them, it could lead to desertification and habitat loss. This also ties in with biodiversity loss which is devastating to maintaining the equilibrium of the environment. Destruction of food chains can have far-reaching effects on the entire ecosystem. That’s why deforestation must be shunned. Also, that’s why forests are being regulated more diligently.
Moreover, deforestation is a barrier to sustainable paper and pulp production. If deforestation is allowed to continue, the hope for building a sustainable paper and pulp production system is futile. It’s like moving forward-backward. That’s why most authorities around the world put punishments in place for people who cut trees without permits or some form of authorization legitimizing their activity. Trees are an important natural resource and they must be protected. If trees are harvested improperly, the effects will be felt across the whole production chain and in the environment.
Conclusion
Sustainability is much sought after in today’s contemporary society. Thus, the drive for efficiency and innovation in production. The pulp and paper industry is no different. There is no determining what the ceiling is when it comes to technological innovation. All that can be ascertained is that any form of progress is welcome. Because if the future is to be green, every opportunity for growth needs to be utilized. All things considered, sustainability is and will always be a worthwhile goal.
Biomass can play a key role in economic development and emerge as a significant alternative to fossil fuels. In this article, we will discuss why fossil fuels are preferred over biomass fuel by the industrial sector.
Pyrolysis and the Promise of Biochar
The end application of biomass mostly depends on the feedstock type and the char conversion process. When processed under controlled conditions, biomass converts to char (or biochar). With the presence of high carbon content in biochar, they are highly dependent on the processing conditions of biomass (or fuel), e.g. wood char produced from pyrolysis at low or no air flow can expect to have high carbon and hydrogen with minimal minerals/inorganic presence.
Gas produced under same condition will have a high presence of heavy aromatic carbon and nitrogen gas. However, under the same conditions, if physical structure of biomass varies, the output results can fluctuate to a significant level.
The temperature, pressure, elemental composition, particle size, physical structure (e.g. density, moisture presence, molecular structure, pore size), heating rate, the maximum temperature of process, retention time during the conversion process can change the composition of biochar produced.
Biomass when converted to char has multiple applications with minimal effect on the environment. It has applications in toxic metal remediation and can remove harmful contaminants from soil which can damage plant growth and soil nutrients.
Char has potential to stabilise cadmium, lead, chromium, zinc, but they are found to be most effective in stabilisation of lead and copper. Researchers have found the potential application of biochar in a range of applications, viz. carbon sequestration, solid waste management, green electricity production, wastewater treatment, iron making process and building construction.
Why Fossil Fuel is Preferred Over Biomass Fuel?
Despite the significant contrast of applications and proven to have minimal effect on the environment, why is biomass not preferred or unsuccessful to attract the commercial sector? The answer relies on biomass processing technologies that still need to develop economically feasible. Besides fuel cost, the initial setup of biomass-based technologies need high capital cost, operation and maintenance cost, which eventually lead to a significantly higher cost of end application when compared with fossil fuels.
In most FMCG, sugarcane and fruit-based industries, biomass is produced as their waste, and legal compliances expect them to dispose of their waste sustainably. Industries spend substantial money to dispose of their waste in agreement with legal and environmental regulations. Researchers termed it a negative cost, which means that industries intend to pay to take this biomass off from their facility.
This could bring a possible opportunity to biomass processing plants to get paid or acquire fuel at no or negative cost. But most processing facilities are far from fuel (or biomass waste) sources, and cost of transportation are significant enough to compare the economics of fuel acquirement with fossil fuel costs. Moreover, processing technologies need cleaning and maintenance which further add up to the cost.
The overall economics of biomass-based electricity and any other end-use process cost higher than fossil fuels, making it very difficult to attract industries to invest in biomass over fossil fuels. Research suggests that biomass processing facilities that are available within the periphery of 200km from the fuel source will cost biomass (or fuel) at zero to negative value, improving the overall economics to a significantly comparable level to fossil fuels.
The Way Forward
To address this issue, small-scale plants must be installed in nearby areas and critical focus is vital on economically small scale biomass processing plants. Considerable research work is going on with small scale gasification plants capable of producing electricity at a small scale, but that is still under pilot project and no large-scale implementation has been found so far. Pyrolysis plants are also under the research zone, producing biochar, but this method is still under research development.
To reach targets of global temperature and carbon emissions into the atmosphere set by the UN at Climate Summit 2015, this area of research is a potentially critical area that can play a significant role in overtaking biomass over fossil fuels.
As the name suggests, sand control is the method for controlling sand production into a wellbore. Around the world, for different gas and oil-producing wells, this is a common requirement.
Sand production can bring several issues, for example, production impairment as a result of the erosion to completion string, sand plugging, and downhole tools. For avoiding sand production, two main methods are used in oil production are as follows.
Active Sand Control
The active sand control technique is all about utilizing the filters in order to control sand production. It is also known as an intrusive measure. Below are the techniques of active and control methods in the oil and gas industry.
Chemical consolidation.
Gravel pack and Frack Pack.
Expandable sand screen.
Stand Alone screen.
Passive Sand Control
Passive sand control always utilizes non-intrusive measures for controlling, reducing, or avoiding sand production from the reservoir. Here are the techniques of following sand control methods.
Sand management.
Selective perforation.
Oriented perforation.
Types Of Sand Control Screens
Now we will talk about different types of sand control screens, along with their mechanisms and usage.
1. Slotted Liner
It is one of the oldest sand control methods. Slotted liner sand control is tubing with a series of slots. All these slots are cut through a wall of tubular, and that too in an axial orientation. The width of slots is designed in such a way that it develops inter-particle bridging across the slots.
Suppose you are looking for the least expensive way to make a standalone screen. The next part of this is very simple. Here the average flow area is around 3%. But it also can go upto 6% of the total pipe area. However, a flow area of more than 6% will be detrimental to the tensile strength of the pipe.
2. Wire-Wrapped Screen
Consider a pipe, which is perforated along with a welded jacket, which is wire-wrapped. The wire, which is wrapped around the vertical ribs, has a space of keystone. It is designed to mitigate the chances of sand plugging on the screen. As there is a self-cleaning action, there is no chance of sand plugging.
In comparison to a slotted linear, a wire-wrapped screen comes with a bigger flow area and thus offers accurate slot opening along with good strength. Here are the different types of wire wrap.
Pipe-based slip-on.
Rod-based screens.
Pipe-based direct build screens.
3. Premium Screens
The premium screen is basically a metal design, which comes with a metal mesh filtration and also a protective metal outer shroud. The ability to flow back the drilling fluid through the particular screen and also the plugging resistance are the main differences between premium screens and other sand screens.
As per the customer’s demand, the service provider produces different types of premium screens with different metal mesh designs. When it comes to pore throat, it can vary from around 60 microns to 300 microns. Her basic idea here is that the mesh will prevent large particles.
4. Pre-Packed Screen
Pre-packed screens are quite similar to wire-wrapped screens, but pre-packed screens have different filtration media. Here, a media gravel layer that can be with or without the resin coating is situated around the initial screen component. An external screen is also there to support it.
On the basis of the good requirements, the size and thickness of the medium layers vary. The requirements are as follows.
Hole size.
Flow rate.
Formation size etc.
5. Expandable Sand Screen
The latest screen technology is the expandable screen; it comes with a perforated pipe, an outer shroud, and, lastly, a filter medium. This screen is usually runs into a wellbore, and when it comes to the usage of the expansion insert, it is for expanding the screen to the production hole diameter.
Here are some of the advantages of an expandable sand screen.
Offers a high inflow area.
Provides maximum hole diameter.
Offers wellbore support.
Effective sand control.
Here are the parts of the expandable screen.
Integral expandable connector.
Outer protection shroud.
Filtration media.
Base pipe.
To conclude
We hope you have developed a proper understanding of the sand control screens and their different designs. We also understand how complicated it actually is to get grapes totally. So in case you have any doubts or queries, feel free to contact us.
Do you need to remove contaminated soil from your property? If so, this article will explain how to dispose of it safely.
Hire a professional company
Ideally, you’ll want to hire a professional waste treatment company to remove contaminated soil, which will ensure the soil gets properly treated at a facility. If you hire a random company or person, the materials might only be discarded where they will pose a danger to the environment, animals, and people.
Proper contaminated soil disposal requires reputable industrial treatment facilities that use EPA-approved treatment processes, including chemical fixation, bioremediation, chemical oxidation, and absorption.
Soil can be treated in four different ways:
Excavation. Contaminated soil is removed from the ground. New topsoil is tested and distributed where the old soil has been removed.
Treatment. Here, the soil is treated in the ground where it is. There are various methods of extracting contaminants without removing the soil.
Containment. When soil can’t be removed or treated in place, it may be contained within some kind of barrier (such as a silt fence) that prevents it from spreading.
Blending. Depending on the level of contamination, sometimes good soil is blended with contaminated soil to reduce the concentration of harmful chemicals to a safer degree.
Some treatment plants also focus primarily on sustainability to limit the environmental impact of their services.
What contaminants make soil dangerous?
A variety of contaminants can make soil dangerous. Some of the most common one found in soils all over the world include:
Oil and grease
Asbestos
Adhesives, glues, resins, and latex
Laboratory chemicals
Filter cake
PFAS contaminants
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs)
Surfactants and detergents
Spent catalysts
Coolants and cutting fluids
Hydrocarbon contamination
Paints, inks, and dyes
Rags and absorbents
Heavy metals
Acid sulphate
Solvents and flammable waste
Contaminated sludge and slurries
Acids
Industrial wash waters
Dredge spoil
All of these contaminants can turn regular soil into hazardous waste.
Treat contaminated soil as hazardous waste
Soil contamination is considered hazardous waste and needs to be professionally removed and treated right away. Contaminated soil can become a major problem if you don’t take care of it quickly.
When left in place, contaminated soil can leach toxic chemicals into the ground and surface waters. The contamination may make its way into nearby rivers, streams, lakes, and drinking water supplies.
According to the EPA, contaminated soil can also affect indoor air quality and may be spread further as dust. In the water, contaminants accumulate in sediments that end up harming local ecosystems, wildlife, and humans.
If you don’t handle the problem, you could face lawsuits later on if future damage and harms can be traced back to the soil when you were responsible for it.
You will likely need a permit to remove contaminated soil
In many regions, you will have to obtain proper permits from your state’s environmental agency to remove hazardous soil.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set specific guidelines for removal of contaminants from soil at Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and other hazardous waste facilities.
These guidelines can be helpful in understanding why you need a professional to do the job. If you’re facing the onerous task of taking care of contaminated soil, it’s not likely to be a DIY job.
Contaminated soil can come from anywhere
You may not even know you have contaminated soil on your property. You might order tons of good, clean soil for purchase and have hazardous waste delivered instead. That’s what happened to a couple in Kentucky.
David and Cindy Bell ordered thousands of tons of fill dirt and rock to level their property in preparation for building a garden and campground. They found a company willing to deliver the dirt for free.
Unfortunately, the company delivered contaminated black soil and sand removed from an industrial work site. When tests were run, the soil samples contained excessive levels of certain contaminants, including heavy metals and carcinogens.
Even though it wasn’t their fault, the state issued the Bells a Notice of Violation that required the couple to install a special fence to prevent the contaminated soil from leaching into the Ohio River.
Test your soil regularly, especially if you grow food
You should test your soil regularly to make sure it’s not hazardous to the Earth, humans, or animals. If you discover you have contaminated soil on your property and there are farms nearby, for example, there’s a chance that farmland can become contaminated and you might be held liable for damages.
If you learn you have contaminated soil, don’t wait to get it cleaned up. Act quickly, because the effects can be far-reaching. Regular testing is the only way to know what’s going on with your soil.
Coriolis mass flow meters are acknowledged or well-known as an extremely precise and accurate flow measuring device. Plus, it offers plenty of benefits than other instruments. But take note that every measuring principle has its obstacles, and it is also true for the Coriolis principle.
For the most part, it can be difficult and hard to use Coriolis devices in most low flow applications in industries manufacturing large and heavy products. In these applications, you might have to face all types of vibrations.
Thus, the question is, how can you deal with these vibrations using the coriolis mass flow meter. For a little help, we will walk you through how to deal with all types of vibrations. So, take a read!
Coriolis Principle
This flow measuring device provides multiple benefits and advantages compared to other measuring instruments. First and foremost, coriolis flow meters calculate or gauge direct mass flow.
For many industries, it is a critical feature because it removes or eradicates inaccuracies induced by the fluid’s physical properties or characteristics. Aside from this, coriolis flow meters are extremely precise and accurate, have no mechanical parts in motion, have immense repeatability, a towering dynamic range, and many more.
The coriolis principle is simple yet very effective. Its operating principle is all around us in this world, such as the rotation of the earth and its impact on the weather. Coriolis flow meters have a tube powered by a fixed vibration. So, when a liquid or gas traverses through this tunnel or duct, the mass flow momentum will, more often than not, create a change or alteration in the vibration of the tube.
Then, the duct will contort culminating a phase shift. This shift can be calculated or computed deriving a linear output corresponding to the flow. As the Coriolis principle calculates mass flow regardless of what’s inside the tube, it can be, for the most part, promptly implemented to any fluid traversing through it, gas or liquid.
While the thermal mass flow instruments are reliant on the fluid’s physical properties, thus, similar to the phase shift in frequency between outlet and inlet, it’s possible to calculate the actual natural frequency change.
This frequency change is incongruity to the fluid’s density, and it can derive a further signal output. It’s possible to calculate the volume flow rate having computed both the density and the mass flow rate.
Working of Coriolis Mass Flow Meters
Coriolis mass flow meters calculate or gauges the mass via inertia. A dense gas or liquid moves or traverse through a tunnel or duct which is pulsated by a small actuator. This vibration generates a measurable contorting force on the duct corresponding to the mass. More advanced models of this flow measuring technology apply dual-curved tunnels for lower pressure drop and higher sensitivity.
Although considered or known as the most precise flow meters, coriolis mass flow meters are prone to errors or inaccuracies when bubbles are existing in the liquid. These bubbles can produce or generate splashing inside the tube, make noise, and modify or alter the energy required for tube vibration. Huge spaces boost the energy required for tube vibration in excess and can end up in complete failure.
Impact of Vibrations on Accuracy of Coriolis Flow Meters
In manufacturing, factory, commercial, business, trade applications, all types of vibrations with various sizes are quite common. Mass-flow controllers measure and control the flow of gas or liquid while Coriolis mass flow meters calculate mass flow through a vibrating sensor duct. The variation gets purposely out of phase when the gas or liquid traverses through.
This technique or approach is relatively susceptible to unnecessary vibrations with a recurrence close to the sensor tube’s resonance frequency or a towering concordant of this frequency. However, it depends on the design of the sensor tube.
The odds of the frequency of these unnecessary vibrations is greater than in an industrial environment. Manufacturers of coriolis mass flow meters do their best to minimize the effect of vibrations on the measurement using some technical solutions including pigtails, active and passive vibration compensation, mass inertia, different sensor shapes, dual-sensor tubes, and higher driving frequencies.
In other words, vibrations can affect the accuracy of the measurements of coriolis mass flow meters. However, only if the frequency of the vibrations is close to the concordant frequency.
Types of Vibrations
In industrial applications, vibrations can be produced by usage-based vibration sources, building-based vibration sources, and environmentally related vibration sources. These vibrations move or traverse through a medium such as the fluid itself, through pipes, in the air, or the floor. If any of these vibrations disrupt the frequency of the device, then the output could be incorrect.
Takeaway
It is helpful to determine the sources to lessen or reduce the effects of unwanted vibrations. Oftentimes, it’s possible to move the measuring device or instrument just a little bit, take advantage of huge mass blocks, use suspension alternatives, or use flexible tubes.
Manufacturers regularly face various obstacles — from unexpected machinery breakdowns to poor product delivery. However, this can be easily fixed with modern technology in place. Companies may increase operational efficiency, launch new products, and customize product designs by leveraging AI solutions. How does that work? Let’s figure that out!
AI Applications in the Manufacturing Industry
AI use in industrial facilities is gaining popularity among businesses. According to Capgemini’s research, more than half of European companies (51%) are deploying AI solutions, with Japan (30%) and the United States (28%) coming in second and third.
Hundreds of factors influence the manufacturing process. While these are difficult for humans to detect, machine learning algorithms can accurately forecast the influence of specific factors in such complicated circumstances. Machines still function below human skills in other areas involving language or emotions, limiting their acceptance. But where exactly is AI used?
1. Building Digital Twins
A digital twin is a virtual replica of a real manufacturing system. In the manufacturing industry, there are digital twins of certain equipment assets, full machinery systems, or specific system components. The most popular applications for digital twins include real-time diagnosis, tic and evaluation of manufacturing processes, prediction and visualization of product performance, and so on.
Data science engineers use supervised and unsupervised machine learning methods to educate digital twin models to improve the physical system by analyzing historical and unlabeled data from continuous real-time monitoring. These algorithms aid in the optimization of production scheduling, quality enhancements, and maintenance.
2. Generative Design
Generative design is a method where software generates some outputs to fulfill certain requirements. Designers or engineers use generative design software to investigate AI product design options by entering design goals and factors like materials, production processes, and cost limitations. The approach employs machine learning techniques to understand what works and what doesn’t with each iteration.
The program finds numerous methods to create a simple object, such as a chair. You must enter the specifications such as four legs, elevated seat, weight requirements, minimal materials, etc. Based on the input data, the solution generates a number of design possibilities and features.
3. Predictive Maintenance
Manufacturers use AI technology to analyze sensor data to identify future downtime and accidents. AI systems assist manufacturers in forecasting when or whether functioning equipment will fail, allowing maintenance and repair to be arranged prior to the breakdown. Manufacturers can enhance productivity while lowering the cost of equipment failure thanks to AI applications for predictive maintenance.
4. Assembly Line Optimization
Furthermore, by incorporating Artificial Intelligence into your IoT environment, you may generate many automation opportunities. Supervisors, for example, may be notified when equipment operators exhibit indications of weariness. When a piece of equipment fails, the system might initiate contingency planning or other reorganization actions.
5. Quality Assurance
Traditionally, quality assurance was a manual procedure that required a highly qualified engineer to ensure that electronics and microprocessors were made correctly. All of its circuits were properly set up. Modern processing techniques may now automatically assess whether an object was manufactured appropriately. This sorting may be done automatically and in real-time by putting cameras at important places around the production floor.
Optimize Your Product Development!
AI and machine learning (ML) are making significant contributions to expediting new product development — from startups to companies rushing to introduce new products. Today, Indeed, LinkedIn, and Monster have 15,400 job openings for DevOps and product development engineers using AI and machine intelligence. According to Capgemini, the connected goods industry will be between $519 billion and $685 billion this year as revenue models based on AI and machine learning become more popular. And the above are just some of the AI applications. More to come!
Non-destructive testing (NDT) can be simplistically described as a method used to conduct an inspection without moving or breaking the item or surrounding area under examination. Although not limited to medicine, aerospace, and industry, these three large sectors are particularly dependent on non-destructive inspection methodologies. One of the most helpful tools for NDT is the Ultraviolet (UV) lamp.
Let’s take a brief look at the presence of UV lamps in NDT settings.
Non-destructive testing is a broad field
The definition of NDT can be quite broad unless one limits its description to a test, evaluation, or inspection, in a particular field of engineering or medicine. As well, the type of inspection that is required also comes from a long list of possibilities.
Fluorescent Magnetic Particle Inspection (FMPI or MT) and Fluorescent Penetrant Inspection (FPI or PT) are strongly associated with the use of fluorescent lighting and NDT.
Let the light come in
UV light is longer than X-rays, and shorter than visible white light, placing it into the 10 to 400 nm wavelength range. Known as black light, non-visible UV light can be harmful. The shorter UV-C rays, up to 290 nm, however, rarely reach the earth, and this is fortunate. Also be wary of UV-B rays, which are responsible for sunburns. The longer rays of UV-A, between 320 and 400 nm, are the least dangerous to humans.
In the past, magnetic particle penetrants used a mercury base, which became fluorescent with a UV-A light of 365.4 nm. This led to the requirement of today’s UV light sources for NDT. The standard requirement for a peak wavelength is between 360 – 370 mm.
The UV lamp advantage
One aspect of UV lighting that gives it the edge is that it provides visibility into the area under inspection where otherwise, there is none. The magnetic particles or penetrants that are applied to the surfaces of the areas to be inspected become fluorescent, providing visibility into the tiniest of flaws, such as cracks, breaks, and positioning changes.
What to look for in a UV lamp
There are UV lamps and then there are UV lamps. To achieve the most efficient, successful, and safe examinations, it is important to choose the correct UV lamp for the task at hand.
LED illumination
UV LED lamps are highly recommended for non-destructive testing. In fact, for the most part, LED lamps have replaced incandescent and fluorescent lamps, which may not be easily available in the near future.
However, some legacy UV lamps can be modified to accept LED bulbs. UV LED lamps are lighter, making them very manageable. The bulbs are long-lasting, not prone to fading, and can be housed in cooler casings.
Handheld or stationary
The advantage of handheld UV LED lamps is, of course, their portability and their low energy consumption. However, unlike their predecessors, the mercury vapor bulbs, they do not offer the intensity and the wide beams that are required in some inspections.
Meeting the challenge, some UV lamp producers are using LED lighting to create stationary overhead lamps with intense, wide beam coverage, and adaptable frames, allowing easy vigilance over production in assembly lines. This is a low-cost alternative to frequently-replaced fluorescent bulbs.
The importance of a filter
With a peak wavelength between 360 – 370 nm, violet tail emissions of visible light above 400 nm can mask flaws and cracks with light glare. A filter improves visibility by providing more contrast.
Additional considerations
Science and engineering are always in flux. Similarly, developments in the field of non-destructive testing brings with it much to consider.
With the introduction of LED bulbs in UV light sources, dangers resulting from potential accidents in non-invasive fault-seeking, are no longer concerns. Burns resulting from filaments in mercury vapor are becoming a thing of the past. With less electrical demands from LED bulbs, power supplies can be lightweight, making the lamp easier to handle in tough conditions.
Just the fact that mercury will no longer be needed is enough of a cause for celebration.
Visibility with LED lamps is instantaneous.
For some conditions, a narrower beam is required. NDT requirements must lead the way when determining the lamp’s specifications for a particular type of inspection.
One challenge that designers are working on is the emission of heat flux at the emitters of UV LED lamps. This is a result of smaller technology with increased energy levels.
Non-destructive testing has broadened its scope over the years, giving rise to compliance standards for specific NDT applications. The most well-known compliance standard to look for in UV-A lamps for NDT with FMPI and FPI, is the ASTM E3022 standard. Whatever the standards of compliance are for a particular industry, non-destructive testing and its reliance on dependable lighting for inspections, is now an important branch of engineering in its own right.
Did you realize over 7 billion tons of industrial waste is produced in the United States each year? If you are the owner of an industrial business, having an adequate waste management plan is essential. Without a waste management plan, you run the risk of doing a lot of damage to the environment.
If you are new to the world of industrial waste management, you need to take your time when develop a plan of action. Consulting with waste management professionals is a great way to ensure the plan you develop is successful. Below are few crucial tips to prepare an effective industrial waste management plan.
Collaborating With the Right Waste Management Company
Unless your company has the ability to transport and dispose of industrial waste, you will need to work with a third-party. Most business owners fail to realize just how many different waste management companies there are on the market. Ideally, you want to find a company that offers services like industrial cleaning, hazardous material transportation and spill response.
If you need services like this for a competitive price, you need to go through PROS Services. By pairing with the right waste management company, you can avoid making mistakes when it comes to disposing of hazardous and non-hazardous materials.
Make Recycling a Focal Point of Your Strategy
Being a business owner in the modern age requires you to be more eco-conscious. One of the best ways for an industrial business to do their part for the environment is by recycling as much as possible. When running an industrial business, you will undoubtedly have a number of recyclable materials. Turning these materials over to companies that can actually do something with them is imperative.
Making a new recycling program work will require to get your entire team on board. Informing your team about the importance of recycling is the first step in making your program successful. You also need to implement easy and effective solutions when it comes to how your team will store the recyclable materials. By laying out the details of your plan, you can address any concerns your team may have.
Leave Flexibility in Your Plan
As waste management technology and requirements change, you will have to adapt your strategy. This is why leaving a high-degree of flexibility in your plan is so important. Accomplishing this will be easy if you do things like sign short-term contracts with the companies hired to dispose of your industrial waste. Staying on the cutting edge of industrial waste management technology can help you see when changes are coming and what you can do to embrace these changes.
Don’t Wait to Implement Your Plan
As you can see, having a way to properly dispose of industrial waste is important. This is why you need to avoid procrastinating when developing a plan of action. Allowing professionals to weigh in on the details of your waste management plan can help you avoid making mistakes.
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