News

Hydrogen Safe, the hydrogen safety training specialist that acts as a conduit between industry and education, has announced the appointment of Amer Gaffar as Strategic Advisor as the company continues to expand.

As Director of Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre at Manchester Metropolitan University, Amer will bring with him a wealth of expertise and industry leading knowledge to the business.

As an authority on hydrogen fuel cells, he will be responsible for writing strategy papers, thought leadership articles, and providing insight to be used in developing new partnerships and programmes, while also delivering lectures and CPD sessions for the company.

Amer comments: “Hydrogen Safe is a progressive business with big ambitions and that really appealed to me. I’ve worked in the green energy sector for over two decades now, so it made sense for me to extend my remit and use the knowledge and insight I have developed in this new role.

“There is certainly a lot going on at the company and I’m very pleased to have joined at such an exciting time. I look forward to meeting with education providers and businesses that want to put the infrastructure in place to work confidently and safely with hydrogen as we transition to more sustainable ways of working.”

CEO and Founder of Hydrogen Safe, Andy Lord, comments: “Amer is a wonderful addition to our team. His appointment reinforces our commitment to attracting industry leading expertise to the company. We know that we can continue to expand the business and become the trusted partner that our clients need us to be.

“We are very much looking forward to shaping our proposition as we set our sights on becoming the UK’s leading training provider in hydrogen safety.”

Members of Hydrogen UK; the Hydrogen Energy Association; the Hydrogen Skills Alliance; and NPTC Group of Colleges, Net Zero Skills Advisory Board, as well as being a corporate partner of the Greater Manchester Mayors Charity, Hydrogen Safe works with businesses, education providers and individuals to deliver courses that meet with their specific objectives and sustainability goals.

For more information, please visit: www.hydrogensafe.org and for regular updates follow: @Hydrogen Safe on LinkedIn.

Brixworth Engineering, manufacturer of the globally renowned Benco engine stands, has produced its largest-ever side-mounting turnover stand. Supplied to the Croydon facility of leading power transmission specialist Voith Turbo, the Benco 1050 (an upgrade to Brixworth’s standard Benco 1000 engine stand) is helping this progressive plant to inspect and service a variety of engines and transmissions.

With a load capacity of 5000 kg (at 500 mm from the mounting spindle) and a turning capacity of 10,000 Nm, the Benco 1050 supplied to Voith Turbo facilitates the manipulation of complete engines for inspection, repair or modification. Moreover, it is a mobile version featuring a motor drive to deliver rotational speed up to 4 rpm, although customers can opt for floor mounting and manual operation if preferable.

Control of the Benco 1050 at Voith Turbo is via a fixed pushbutton station, with pendant control available as an option. As a further point of note, Brixworth designed and manufactured additional mounting arms to minimise deflection throughout the loading and rotation process.

Rugged, cost-effective Benco engine stands are ideal for undertaking a whole host of new-build, repair and refurbishment operations quickly and easily. With these popular engine stands, users can rotate or horizontally and vertically manipulate engines with ease to minimise the dangers of personal injuries associated with the manual handling of heavy loads. An adjustable column facilitates working at a convenient height while maintaining access to all aspects of the operation.

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Although a comprehensive range of standard models is available, Brixworth has considerable experience in the design and manufacture of bespoke engine stands to suit individual customer requirements. The company can undertake site surveys and provide engineers to evaluate any special demands, ensuring the supply of a safe, effective and cost-competitive solution.

Developed over many years, Benco engine stands today enjoy a worldwide reputation for simplicity and reliability in the rotational handling of heavy, out-of-balance loads with the added benefit of near backlash-free movement. The stands, more than 5000 of which have been produced for use in over 20 countries, can reduce man hours by up to 50% through the elimination of non-productive handling procedures. They fully comply with all current working practices and safety regulations, and come with an extensive guarantee for complete peace-of-mind.

Further information is available on request to:

The Brixworth Engineering Co Ltd, Creaton Road, Brixworth, Northampton  NN6 9BW

Telephone: 01604 880338

e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.                  www.benco.co.uk

Numerous perks come with investing in the ruggedly tested, smartly connected ALTAIR io™ 4 Connected Gas Detector. One small feature, with big implications for how you and your team use the device, is the MSA id Tag. Every ALTAIR io 4 device comes with the MSA id digital device assignment feature, and it can help save you and your team time and effort. The key benefits to using the MSA id Tag are the fast and easy digital assigning of an ALTAIR io 4 device to a specific worker and seamless data monitoring of the device via MSA Grid cloud-based software while the worker is using it.

The flexible explosionproof heating device, type FHD, allows the uniform heating of surfaces in machinery and apparatus engineering, tank construction and the heating of enclosures for controls and analysing equipment for maintaining the function of built-in equipment at low ambient temperatures. The degree of protection of the flexible heaters is IP66.

Technical data

The flexible heaters consist of a self-adhesive silicone laminate with a built-in heating element. The clearance between the terminal box and the surface to be heated is such that the maximum surface temperature of the terminal box does not exceed 80 °C. Bolts for fixing the terminal box are welded on to the surface to be heated, so that it can be screwed firmly in position.

The contact protection of the heated surface is ensured by an 8 mm thick silicone foam that extends over the complete surface of the heater.

Stabilised version

If designed for low heating capacities, a stabilised version without temperature monitoring is possible. The parameters specified during routine testing must not be changed by the user.

Temperature-controlled version

Pt-100 resistance sensors or explosionproof capillary tube thermostats are used for the regulation and monitoring of surface temperatures with higher heating capacities. The Pt-100 resistance sensors can be fitted directly into the silicone laminate and fulfil the requirements for simple apparatus. The evaluation is carried out via the associated apparatus in the type of protection Intrinsic Safety. Electronic safety temperature limiters according to EN 14597 or SIL 3 are used for limiting the surface temperature.

www.thuba.com

Hart’s map of its international airports’ contracts has been upgraded to include its most recent one at Aruba, the island nation in the southern Caribbean Sea just north of the coast of Venezuela. 

“It is an impressive display of our global reach,” says Doug Hart, chairman and founder of Hart Door Systems. “And it underlines the value of our broad range of industrial doors enabling us to deliver solutions through our Speedor range of highspeed doors and our specialist shutters which includes our Conveyor door which is designed to integrate with third-party baggage handling systems.”

Mr Hart adds: “I think it is a fair comment to say that 24 hours a day somewhere in the World there is a Hart door in operation at an international airport. As the map shows we range from the Falklands in the south, to Vladivostok in the east, Bergen to the north, Aruba in the west and a lot between.

“This is a tremendous accolade for the entire team at Hart. Our product specialism for airports is second to none and comes from our policy to drive airport door systems development and product testing that ensures the systems produced by Hart are reliable and work as specified.

“Airport doors play a huge role in the safety and security within airports, and specialist door systems play an integral part in controlling key areas. Our doors aid the management of security and fire risks by securing zones from the public or intruders and by providing a physical barrier from attack or reducing fire spread.

“The Hart Speedor Conveyor door is designed to integrate with third-party baggage handling systems. It is supplied as a built unit with easy ‘plug and play’ installation. Hart has the airport experience to deliver the required solutions in exceptionally busy environments.

“For automated security and fire separation, individually or collectively, Hart developed operating systems to be able to consider integration of doors into the building security and management systems along with standards compliance.

“For high wind resistance Typhoon roller shutters resist wind up to 3000 pascals and high security to BRE standards SR4 Terror Screen is your answer.

“Using these systems allows zones to be secured from intruders, delivering attack, threat and fire/smoke-spread prevention as well as safety for the public. We are even contributing to an airport’s environmental strategy through the doors’ energy saving qualities.

“All in all our considerable investment in product development that conform with relevant standards across the Globe has been very worthwhile not just for us but for our many clients.”

www.hartdoors.com

Hydraulic industrial tools specialist, Enerpac, has announced a lifting system for safer excavator maintenance. Based on Enerpac SCJ-Series Cube Jacks, it enables lifting and holding of the entire cab, boom and arm, allowing the undercarriage to be safely removed.

During maintenance of the excavator’s swing drive and bearings, the undercarriage unit must be separated from the upper body cab and arm to give access to the swing motor and multiple sets of planetary gears. Until now this would have involved at least two service engineers jacking up the body and holding it on stands, a time consuming and hazardous practice. 

The Enerpac cube jack lifting system offers a safer, CE-certified, approach to removing the undercarriage. It comprises two pairs of cube jacks providing coordinated hydraulic lifting of loads up to 25T per jack to a height of 2m. Two cube jacks are positioned under a lifting beam at the rear of the excavator, while two cube jacks are located under the arm’s bucket lugs. Each pair of cube jacks is connected to a hydraulic pump to synchronously lift and lower the excavator body and arm.

“The excavator lifting system has been developed in collaboration with a leading excavator maintenance company looking for a safer CE-certified approach to removing the undercarriage. It automatically self-locks so that engineers can work safely under the raised cab without the need for secondary jack stands,” said an Enerpac spokesperson. ‘It has been well received especially for its safety, secure load holding, precision lifting and lowering and quick and easy set-up which make it attractive to users and customers alike.”

Enerpac Cube Jack
Enerpac cube jack technology is well proven in many industrial lifting applications. The SC-Series Cube Jacks use a base lifting frame and self-aligning, lightweight steel cribbing blocks to provide high-capacity and stabilised lifting–offering a safer, controlled and more efficient alternative to climbing jacks with wooden cribbing. 

Lloyds witness tested to 125% of maximum working load, the incremental cube jack lifting system is self-locking to support the load as each cribbing block is manually added or removed, instead of being held by hydraulic pressure. Once the mechanical lock engages, the lift cylinder retracts, and another cribbing block can be added or removed. 

To learn more about the Enerpac Self-Locking Cube Jack and find a local Enerpac distributor, visit www.enerpac.com.

The topic of “explosion safety” is widespread for plant operators and OEM´s when it comes to handling or transporting combustible dusts. Despite the common assumption that an increased risk of explosion only exists for gases, enormous forces can also be released by explosive dust- / air mixtures.

To help minimize the risk of explosions when handing combustible dusts, it is important to understand the requirements for an explosion and the respective dust safety characteristics, which are described below. The following picture shows the explosion pentagon which must be taken into account.

The following conditions must exist for an explosion to occur within a production facility or machine:

Fig. 1: Explosion pentagon

If any one of the afore mentioned prerequisites is eliminated, explosion prevention has intrinsically been practiced. However, if this is not possible at all times and in all operating states, explosion hazards will still be present. In that case, it is necessary to divide any potentially explosive atmospheres into zones and systematically apply safety measures.

Drying processes in particular are used in many industries to produce material, for easier storage, more efficient transport and a longer shelf life. However, the combination of moisture extraction and high temperatures creates an increased risk of both fire and explosions.

If fires and/or explosions occur in drying plants, which are usually very large, the situation is not only extremely dangerous for the machines and the business, but especially for the employees on site.

Operators of spray dryers must combat a particular type of ignition source – namely smouldering nests that can lead to spontaneous combustion if the material undergoes excessive caking. Caking occurs due to sub-optimal drying of the material and its initially high moisture content. The caked material is then insulated against the surrounding air by a build-up of moist material. The high temperatures ensure that the caked material is continuously heated until a biological reaction takes place involving protein, carbohydrates and water – known as the Maillard reaction. The Maillard reaction generates additional heat that cannot be dissipated due to the insulating layer of caked material. This exothermic process continues to accelerate until spontaneous combustion finally occurs.

Caking of this kind can build up both on the nozzles and the inner wall of the spray dryers. If the nozzle malfunctions, droplets may drip into the fluid bed and cause further clumping. If a smouldering nest is able to form, this can ignite the explosive atmosphere inside the dryer or the downstream machinery.

How can such conditions, which are frequently encountered in practice, be prevented?

Everything starts with the human factor, i.e. properly trained personnel for the respective processes. Optimal process control is also required to avoid caking. But without precise and reliable information/measurements, this is virtually impossible, even for specialists. Nowadays, humidity and one of the by-products of spontaneous combustion at early stages – carbon monoxide (CO) – are used as indicators to ensure a smooth and thus safe process. However, the fact that combined measurement systems cannot clearly distinguish between these two indicators is problematic and can result in inaccurate measurements.

The REMBE CO.Pilot – Synergistic CO and Humidity Measurement

The REMBE CO.Pilot autonomously performs continuous comparison of measured gas data with a synchronized database of stored reference gases that serve as "fingerprints" of the selected process and combustion gases. This allows the possibility to perform a real-time check to continuously verify the measurement accuracy as a self-calibration. At the same time, the real-time fingerprint analysis eliminates the cross-sensitivity to other gases in the measurement spectrum which is problematic with other commercial gas analysers.

To ensure a reliable measurement of the operating status, samples are sucked in from all of the dryer's relevant supply and exhaust air ducts under very high vacuum. REMBE calculates the delta CO value on the basis of the absolute values measured at the individual measuring points. This value is the mathematical difference between the CO content of the extract air and the CO content of the supply air. Thus, only events that actually occur in the respective process are detected. External factors that may disturb the measurement process can thus be ignored.

A proprietary evaluation algorithm, the REMBE Flow Algorithm, (RFA), enables the measured supply and exhaust gas stream values to be compared in real time. As a result, the REMBE CO.Pilot is the first system on the market that makes it possible to adjust the individual alarm limits and gas residence times for the individual measuring points in the dryer's various air throughputs without any delays. The ratios of the different supply air channels and the  associated predicted process gas streams are analysed via the software and calculated to determine an upset condition in the incipient stage.

Thus, if an increased carbon monoxide concentration is detected due to spontaneous combustion during the process, countermeasures can be initiated immediately.

But what does this mean in detail?

This special sampling process eliminates the need for costly and error-prone gas treatment, thus ensuring that the CO.Pilot is less susceptible to faults and requires less maintenance. Furthermore, this measurement method can make recurring calibrations unnecessary. Due to the precise measurement technology and the reproducible results, false alarms and downtimes can also be avoided. In combination with moisture measurements, the entire drying process can be optimally controlled, significantly increasing the energy efficiency of the system.

Fig. 2: REMBE CO.Pilot

Contact REMBE^® Inc. at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / www.rembe.us .

Explosion isolation is essential for comprehensive explosion protection. Without isolation, an explosion safety concept is not only incomplete, but is also a waste of money for operators as:

In almost every production facility, individual plant components are interconnected by means of pipelines. The purpose of explosion isolation is to seal these pipelines in the event of an explosion to prevent the propagation of pressure and flames, thereby protecting the adjacent plant components. Precompression and flame jet ignition increase the severity of the explosion in the connected vessels. This leads to secondary explosions that can cause even more catastrophic damage.

Isolation systems prevent an explosion from propagating, thereby reducing the effects of the explosion to a minimum. Adjacent system components are optimally protected.

A distinction is made between active and passive isolation systems:

Active systems use sensors or detectors to detect an explosion as it occurs by registering the rising pressure or flames as they form and activate the associated isolation device, e.g. a quench valve.

Due to their structural design, passive isolation systems react purely mechanically to a propagation or loss of pressure. The latter also applies to explosion isolation flap valve. They are kept open during normal mode by means of the currents present in the pipeline. In the event of an explosion, the valve closes due to the propagating pressure front, effectively preventing the further propagation of pressure and flames.

www.rembe.de

As Pepperl+Fuchs, a pioneer in hazardous area mobile devices, announces the expansion of its groundbreaking Tab-Ex® tablet series with the Tab-Ex 04 Pro DZ2 / D2. Based on the rugged Samsung Galaxy TabActive4 Pro, the tablet features a brighter, 480 nit 10” touch screen paired with the latest hardware and connectivity options. Combining high performance with innovative applications such as augmented reality, the new device also provides users with a unique desktop-like experience outside of the field, thanks to DeX Mode.

The Tab-Ex 04 Pro DZ2 / D2 is ideally suited for IIoT-capable applications and simplifies data exchange with SCADA / DCS systems, enterprise resource planning systems, project management systems, and computer-aided system planning. Even with its large 10” screen, the new tablet is compact, lightweight, and ideal for a wide range of tasks such as inventory, material tracking, maintenance, and supply chain and asset management. In addition, documents and templates can be viewed on the tablet's 10-inch display, increasing process efficiency.

More Computing Power for Complex Applications

The Tab-Ex 04 Pro DZ2 / D2 runs on a high-performance Android 13 operating system, featuring a powerful Qualcomm SM7325-2-AB Octa-Core 4x 2.4 GHz + 4x 1.8 GHz processor with up to 6GB of RAM, depending on the model. This improved hardware is capable of supporting complex augmented reality applications. The software delivers all the underlying, existing data directly to the user in real time, while also making it shareable on the company network. Augmented reality provides more transparency and helps make processes safer and faster—from planning to operation and maintenance.

The Tab-Ex 04 Pro DZ2 / D2 also boasts 5G and Wi-Fi 6E connectivity for increased data connectivity speeds, ensuring seamless access to all information. It also features high-speed access to detailed master and repair data and other operational data, as well as connectivity that enables employees, experts, teams, and project groups to collaborate quickly and in real time.

Tablet as a Desktop Alternative

With Samsung DeX Mode, users can connect to workstations or larger monitors and work on the go with one easily portable device. Everyday projects and activities in the field can be brought to life on the big screen by connecting the Tab-Ex 04 Pro DZ2 / D2 to a monitor using a multiport connector and turning the tablet into a desktop PC. This allows videos, graphics, documents and classic Office applications to be viewed more closely on a larger screen. From the office to the shop floor, tasks such as retrieving equipment data, checking inventory, resource planning, and schematics can be done seamlessly anywhere. Additionally, costs can be reduced significantly, since there is no more need for office computers, effectively eliminating their management and support.

Rugged Connectivity Opens up New Opportunities

Whether in the oil and gas industry, refineries, chemical plants, the pharmaceutical industry, or along the hydrogen value chain — there are virtually no limits on the uses for industrial tablets. The Tab-Ex 04 Pro DZ2 / D2 is dust and water resistant due to degree of protection (IP68) and meets the MIL-STD-810H standard, which means it is shock and vibration resistant. In addition, the tablet carries NEC/CEC Class I, Div. 2 certifications and FCC/IC compliance test approvals. It is also tested and compatible with the networks of manifold mobile service providers.

Strong Partners for Any Task

With Pepperl+Fuchs as an umbrella brand, customers benefit from a complete portfolio of hazardous area equipment. After all, Pepperl+Fuchs with its subsidiary ECOM Instruments has pioneered the world’s first intrinsically safe GSM mobile phone 30 years ago, as well as the world’s first intrinsically safe PDA 25 years ago. Mobile devices, HMI solutions, a variety of process related equipment, and sensors fit together perfectly for a wide range of offerings for your automation and digitalization needs. In addition, the Tab-Ex 04 Pro DZ2 / D2 is part of the Pepperl+Fuchs interlinked, hazardous area mobile worker concept, which includes smartphones, tablets, peripherals, and software applications. Mobile users can integrate additional Tab-Ex solution packages from a single source, such as Pepperl+Fuchs data capture, measurement and monitoring devices, headsets, AutoID, and Bluetooth beacons for tracking.

Designed in cooperation with Samsung, the Tab-Ex 04 Pro DZ2 / D2 offers a long product life cycle, state-of-the-art technology, reliability (TCO), and security thanks to Samsung Knox.

Additionally, in 2023 Pepperl+Fuchs confirmed its consultancy and support services by achieving Silver Partner status in the Android Enterprise Partner Program. Customers can be assured that not only Pepperl+Fuchs devices have achieved the Android Enterprise Recommended certification, but also that the consulting staff has been trained and certified accordingly. This means that Pepperl+Fuchs meets the highest requirements Google has set for use in the industrial sector and enterprise environments.

Web: www.pepperl-fuchs.com

UK’s leading safety company will showcase responsible ranges and joined-up safety solutions at the NEC in Birmingham 

Arco, the UK’s leading safety company, will be exhibiting at this year's Health & Safety Event, scheduled to take place from the 30^th April to 2^nd May at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham.  

The event takes place during a momentous year for both Arco and the health and safety industry, coinciding with the 50^th anniversary of the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) and Arco’s 140^th anniversary. 

Arco’s interactive exhibition can be found in Hall 4, Stand 4/G100 and has been designed to take visitors on a journey through the hierarchy of control, emphasising the importance of a joined-up approach to safety management. With a focus on consultancy, training, expert advice, compliance and sustainability, Arco aims to demonstrate its unparalleled safety expertise.  

Visitors to the Arco stand can expect immersive experiences, including virtual reality demonstrations where they will be placed in realistic environments, highlighting hazards within working at height and confined spaces. The stand will also showcase Arco’s award-winning Responsible hi-vis and Responsible workwear product ranges, as well as its product-assurance process and independent UKAS-accredited laboratory.  

Ahead of the event, Arco has been shortlisted in four categories for the 2024 Safety and Health Excellence Awards. Arco is nominated for: BSIF Product Innovation Award Safety Product Category (Non-PPE), Campaign of the Year, Distributor of the Year and Marketing Campaign of the Year, as well as sponsoring and judging this year’s inaugural Sustainable Company of the Year award. The winners will be announced during the award ceremony that will take place on the second night of the three-day Health & Safety Event. 

Gareth Wray, Marketing Director at Arco, commented: “We are thoroughly excited to be attending The Health & Safety Event during such a special year for Arco and the industry. We have gone above and beyond to create a truly engaging experience for visitors, showcasing our expertise not only in sourcing and delivering quality and compliant products, but in driving forward sustainable practices and offering joined-up safety solutions.   

“We look forward to interacting with the many attendees and sharing our expertise to drive positive change in safety practices." 

For more information, visit www.arco.co.uk