Suncombe introduce 'Micro-Mixing' to their range of bio/pharma vessels, designed to provide a solution to aseptic mixing of small volumes of product, from a few litres to 100s of litres
Suncombe introduce 'Micro-Mixing' to their range of bio/pharma vessels. Designed to provide a solution for mixing of low volumes of product, the new technology has undergone extensive development and trials prior to release. Suncombe, the UK based cleaning and hygienic processing company, launch a new generation of biotech and pharmaceutical vessels incorporating 'Micro-Mixing' technology.

Designed to offer a solution to aseptic mixing of small volumes, the new technology was developed in response to client requests for this facility.

Integrated into the PharmaVessel range, the innovative 'Micro-mixing' technology is able to mix volumes from a few litres to 100s of litres.

Originally launched in 1961, Suncombe PharmaVessels have been constantly updated to incorporate new technology and comply with current standards.

Used in the biotech, healthcare, diagnostics, parenterals and pharmaceutical sectors, the vessels are available in standard versions or bespoke versions to suit your requirements.

Steve Overton, Suncombe Operation Director declares 'The new technology is very exciting for us, adding a new dimension to low volume processing.

We have worked on this for many years and are very pleased to have developed a solution'.

The new 'Micro-Mix' vessels include the simple validation package which is a feature on all of our products, and include comprehensive databooks, processes, procedures and documentation.

The CE marked vessel are constructed from 316L stainless steel, include certified surface finishes and are available as atmospheric or PD5500/ASME pressure vessels.

Options are available for jackets, insulation, ATEX versions, SIP duties, skid mounted units and control systems.

Designed and manufactured in the UK by Suncombe personnel, our experienced engineers are available to discuss any requirements and to carry out site surveys.

The new 'Micro-mix' vessels are part of Suncombe extensive range of tanks, vessels, hygienic processing systems and cleaning in place systems.

Screen Machine Industries, parent company of The Screen Machine, Tiger Screen and Screen Machine Crushing Division, has announced the Grand Opening of their new Corporate Headquarters
Screen Machine Industries, parent company of The Screen Machine, Tiger Screen and Screen Machine Crushing Division, has announced the Grand Opening of their new Corporate Headquarters near Columbus, Ohio. An official Grand Opening event took place at the new location on Friday, 21 April 2006 with dealers, employees, business associates and media representatives present to enjoy great food and conversation, gifts, machine demonstrations and factory tours. There were over 400 hundred people in attendance at the event.

This marks the first of several expansions scheduled for the Etna, Ohio location.

As Screen Machine Industries expands its sales force and dealership network more deeply into the western and southern regions of the United States, as well as continues an already aggressive world-wide export campaign, the company will add additional square footage and job creation accordingly.

It is the corporate goal of Screen Machine Industries to become the largest American made screening and crushing manufacturer in the country.

'We've already achieved the quality standard, now we will focus on quantity to support the demand for these high quality American made products', says Screen Machine Industries President and CEO, Steve Cohen.

Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Screen Machine Industries has been producing innovative crushing, screening and shredding plants for over 39 years.

All Screen Machine products are made in the USA.

Products include 19 unique crushing, screening and shredding plants to meet the requirements of any jobsite.

Multiple US Patents have been awarded as a result of our creative ambition in developing machinery superior to any in the world.

The Jiskoot ShearMix sample homogenising station has received GOST certification for use in Russia, having passed pre-import tests for compliance with all applicable safety and EMC requirements
Jiskoot has announced that its ShearMix sample homogenising station has received GOST certification for use in Russia, having passed their government's pre-import tests for compliance with all applicable safety and EMC requirements. Fully homogenising the contents of a constant pressure sample receiver at collection line pressure to ensure analysis sub-sample homogeneity and retention of 'light-ends', it is the only integrated mixing system using standard laboratory techniques to homogenise liquid hydrocarbon samples with the repeatability required for Karl Fischer analysis. The ShearMix complies with the requirements of IP386 and equivalent standards and will mix water and 'light' hydrocarbons of viscosities from 0.5 to 200cSt, ie light crude oils to condensates.

It can be used with Jiskoot CPC sample receivers or other makes with suitable fittings and with all types of constant pressure receivers from 0.5 to 4 litres.

Sub-samples can be withdrawn from the system for analysis through a valve or using a pressurised syringe.

The ShearMix system offers significantly improved sample homogenisation compared with mixing provided by internal mixing balls or baffles.

Leading computational fluid dynamics consultants Advantage CFD have now demonstrated the capability to simulate mixing tanks with greater accuracy, to improve the efficiency of mixing operations
Mixing is a fundamental operation in the process industry. One of the most versatile mixing techniques is the stirred vessel, which is used for a wide range of applications including blending, chemical reaction, dispersion, solid suspension, crystallisation and aeration. The efficiency of the mixing process can substantially influence production costs and product quality, yet the design of agitation systems is often problematic.

The customary approach is to carry out a series of physical tests.

This tends to be a long and expensive exercise with results that may not be fully replicated when test equipment is scaled up for full production.

Empirical correlations are also widely used but may have limited applicability, particularly if a novel system is being designed.

An alternative approach is to model the flow using CFD (computational fluid dynamics).

CFD offers the ability to quantify and visualise performance by modelling the true physical processes, and to do so whatever the scale.

Historically, however, the accuracy of CFD simulations has been limited by the ability of the model to resolve the complexity of internal components and the full benefits of numerical simulation have not always been realised.

Leading CFD consultants Advantage CFD have now demonstrated the capability to simulate mixing tanks with greater accuracy.

With its roots in motorsport as part of the Honda Formula 1 team, Advantage CFD deliver fluid flow solutions to customers in industries as diverse as food processing, pharmaceuticals and renewable energy.

By increasing the model resolution and including greater detail of heating coils, baffles, dip pipes and other components that can cause flow asymmetry, Advantage CFD were able to give added insight into the mixing and heat transfer processes within a stirred vessel.

In particular, they showed how an enhanced CFD model can enable quantities such as power consumption, levels of turbulence and local heat transfer coefficients to be correctly predicted.

Premex Reactor develops, produces and markets magnetic stirrers and high-pressure autoclaves, with controls, for the chemical, pharmaceutical, petroleum and related industries
Premex Reactor develops, produces and markets magnetic stirrers and high-pressure autoclaves, with controls, for the chemical, pharmaceutical, petroleum and related industries. The 'cirojet MRK' is a universal magnetic stirrer drive. The MRK 20-27 series magnetic stirrer drive is a combination of a magnetic coupling and an integrated dc motor.

Premex Reactor offers this versatile MRK with NS 29/32, NS 45/40 glass connections, and with M30x2 mm metal connections for reaction vessels up to 700 bar.

Power is transmitted from the outer magnetic ring to the inner magnet.

The forces of attraction are responsible for transferring the rotation from the drive collar to the stirrer shaft in a non-contacting process.

Technical data.

* All product parts coming into contact with the medium are made of high-grade steel.

* Versions are also available in Hastelloy, titanium, tantalum, monel metal, etc.

* 55 Watt dc motor, sealed to IP 44 with maximum speed of 3000 rpm.

* Connection to control box 1x220 V, 50 Hz.

* Torque of magnetic coupling 20 Ncm or 40 Ncm.

Aker Kvaerner will provide engineering and assistance to Statoil on the procurement and construction management for the upgrade of the group's Mongstad refinery, north of Bergen, Norway
Aker Kvaerner has signed a letter of intent with Statoil to provide the engineering, and assistance to Statoil on the procurement and construction management for the upgrade of the group's Mongstad refinery, north of Bergen, Norway. The value of the engineering contract to Aker Kvaerner is approximately EUR 8.7 million initially. In addition will come the value of the procurement and construction supervision as requested by Statoil during the construction phase.

The Aker Kvaerner scope includes the basic and detailed engineering, together with procurement and construction supervision assistance - executed from its offices in the Netherlands.

The Energy Integration project (EVM-RO) is strategically important for the refinery because of the substantial improvements to the energy efficiency of the Mongstad complex.

'Statoil is implementing the upgrade to strengthen the refinery position as an energy and environmentally-efficient supplier of refined petroleum products, and to further develop a robust and long-term competitive position for Mongstad as an industrial area,' says Egil Sael, vice president for business development in the Statoil manufacturing business cluster.

'This is the fifth project across Statoil refineries and chemical plants to be awarded to Aker Kvaerner in the last five years,' says Wim van der Zande, president of the Aker Kvaerner European Process business.

'We are very pleased to be involved in this project.

Our selection reflects the good working relationship we have established with Statoil and the strong track record we have accumulated in this market'.

Aker Kvaerner's order for the engineering contract was booked in December 2005.

The contract will be finalised during January 2006 and the project will commence 1st February 2006.

An application to the Norwegian authorities for the project was filed by Statoil in 2005.

Depending on the final permission and related conditions from the Norwegian authorities, Statoil will make the final decision whether to execute the full project in 2006.

In such case the engineering scope is expected to be completed by April 2007 and the completion of the refinery upgrade is scheduled for late 2008.

The energy project also includes a new combined heat and power plant and a new gas pipeline from the Kollsnes to Mongstad - both projects are being executed by third parties.

CleanGas business partner GTC Almere Pressure Controls from the Netherlands will introduce a CNG Home Refuelling Appliance in cooperation with some car manufacturers around April 2006
CleanGas is proud to introduce its new business partner: GTC Almere Pressure Controls from Almere, in The Netherlands. GTC Almere is the exclusive distributor of Tescom components for the Netherlands. They are specialists in components and systems for alternative fuels, and provide components for pressure and flow regulation and monitoring.

GTC Almere have developed a CNG 'Home Refuelling Appliance'.

CleanGas will assist in the promotion of this new equipment, which GTC Almere will bring to the market in cooperation with some car manufacturers at the end of the first quarter 2006.

Quality and safety of this new product will be most important.

Shell UK has extended its frame agreement for the supply of subsea steel tube umbilicals with Aker Kvaerner Subsea by two years and expanded the scope to include Shell Norway
Shell UK has extended its frame agreement with Aker Kvaerner Subsea by two years and expanded the scope to include Shell Norway. The value of the new contract is estimated to be approximately NOK 230 million. The frame agreement is for the supply of subsea steel tube umbilicals and associated engineering personnel.

The first project executed under the agreement will be the Howe Phase 2 project, which will use the same cross-section as the Merganser umbilicals.

Under the existing agreement, signed in 2001, Aker Kvaerner has delivered umbilicals for six Shell projects in the British and Dutch sectors of the North Sea including Scoter, Pelican, Howe, Merganser, K15/K7 and K8.

'Frame agreements help promote an optimal way of working: alignment in the pursuit of HSE excellence; incorporation of lessons learned for efficient execution, resulting in shorter delivery times; and close dialogue on future needs, so we can allocate capacity for Shell,' says Raymond Carlsen, executive vice president Aker Kvaerner Subsea.

The steel tube umbilicals will be manufactured at the Aker Kvaerner Subsea facility in Moss, Norway.

A new integrated ABB control system for the BP Bruce platform and the Rhum field in the North Sea will help BP expand production and tap new sources of gas
A new integrated ABB control system for a North Sea gas platform will help BP expand production and tap new sources of gas. The ABB system has been designed in two parts, one half controlling the BP Bruce platform and the other for the Rhum field, which is being developed to operate with three wells. As part of the development, new gas processing facilities, including two Low Pressure (LP) booster compressors, have been installed on the existing Bruce Compression Reception platform.

The ABB control system for the Bruce LP booster compressors consists of an AC460 controller, serial links to the Emergency Shut Down system and compressor performance controllers, S800 I/O panels, application software for HVAC and LP booster compressors A and B and the use of an existing MOD 300 graphical interface for compressors and HVAC.

For Rhum, the scope is an AC800M controller, serial communications to Subsea Master Control System, serial communications to the AC460 controller and the use of an existing MOD 300 graphical interface.

Neil Logan, lead engineer for BP on the project, says: 'The major benefit of the system is that from an operator's perspective we have seamlessly integrated the new and old production facilities.

Instead of two separate control systems, we have one.

Operators will be more effective because they are not looking at two separate displays'.

Some of the customer requirements posed a challenge for ABB in the design of the control system.

Colin Heath, project manager for ABB says: 'BP requested that we keep all software for Rhum separate from the system for the Bruce platform'.

The ABB world wide resources meant that it could source software from its operations around the world and ensure that the two sides were kept separate, yet allowing an architecture that ensured the two parts could easily communicate and act as a single system.

The development of Rhum is seen as vital to boost the throughput on the Bruce platform, enabling the platform to be kept in high usage for the medium term.

Rhum has estimated resources of 31 billion cubic meters of gas, of which, 23 billion cubic meters is regarded as recoverable.

It is located 240 miles north east of Aberdeen, 28 miles from the BP operated Bruce platform and is a high temperature, high-pressure reservoir.

Johnson Matthey plc announces that it has purchased Davy Process Technology Limited for GBP40 million in cash
Johnson Matthey plc announces that it has purchased Davy Process Technology Limited (DPT) for GBP40 million in cash. DPT develops chemical process technologies and licenses them to customers in the oil, gas, petrochemical, polymer and pharmaceutical industries. Revenue is generated through the licensing of its proprietary technologies and from the sale of associated basic engineering packages, catalysts, specialist equipment and other services.

Johnson Matthey and DPT have a long history of technical collaboration and, together with Aker Kvaerner, form the One Synergy alliance which provides turnkey solutions for methanol production and other syngas based processes including the emerging gas to liquids (GTL) market.

The combination of the Johnson Matthey process catalyst businesses with DPT will present new opportunities to exploit the research capabilities of both organisations.

The Johnson Matthey catalyst expertise will enhance the DPT ability to develop advanced catalyst based processes for a number of key growth markets and the acquisition will give Johnson Matthey new opportunities to grow its sales of catalysts into both existing and new emerging markets.

DPT employs around 175 people and is headquartered in London.

It has a purpose-built R and D centre in Stockton-on-Tees.

The company has a long history, having been established in the 1830s as a mechanical engineering business and was part of Trafalgar House before being purchased by Kvaerner in 1996.

More recently, the business changed hands in 2001 when Yukos bought DPT from Aker Kvaerner.

Johnson Matthey has acquired DPT from Yukos International UK BV.