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TÜV SÜD National Engineering Laboratory launches the UK’s first traceable hydrogen flow calibration facility for domestic gas meters.

The new facility will help meter manufacturers determine if existing meter stock, and new technologies under development, are correctly measuring hydrogen flow rates. This is a crucial step to ensure that hydrogen gas meters deployed onto the market in the future will deliver accurate measurements for customer billing and taxation purposes.

Marc MacDonald, Head of Clean Fuels at TÜV SÜD National Engineering Laboratory, said: “Accurate measurement is an essential element to enable the decarbonisation of heat via the replacement of natural gas with hydrogen in the grid. From our involvement in EU hydrogen metrology projects, and our extensive experience as the UK institute responsible for National Flow Measurement Standards, it is clear that the change from natural gas to hydrogen can result in increased meter measurement errors. Our new hydrogen calibration facility will give manufacturers the independent assurance they need to prove that metering systems are suitable for their intended service.”

Major investment in a multi-function flow test rig and extended pressure and temperature testing adds to capabilities

Hydrotechnik have unveiled a continued investment in their re-calibration department.  The addition of an oil-based flow test rig enables Hydrotechnik to offer full in-house flow meter recalibrations traceable to National Standards for oils from 10 to 100cst and flow rates from 0.05L/min up to 700L/min. The Flow Rig has 2 master flow meters giving a maximum uncertainty of +/-0.5%. Oil flow calibrations traceable to DKD (German) national standards and full DAkkS ISO17025 on request.  In Addition, Hydrotechnik UK offer Water flow calibrations from 0.05 L/min to 2000 L/min traceable to national standard or Full UKAS ISO17025 on request. 

With a requirement for new steam boilers with increased capacity, higher efficiency and more eco-friendly emissions when expanding their operations at a second facility in Romania, Universal Alloy Corporation had no hesitation in turning to heat transfer specialist Fulton, the supplier of steam boiler solutions already installed at its facilities in Romania and Vietnam.

Heat transfer specialist Fulton has supplied, assisted with installation and commissioned two gas-fired, horizontal RBC3000 steam boilers for Romania-based Universal Alloy Corporation (UAC), a manufacturer and fabricator of high-strength, hard alloy extrusions for aircraft structures or where precision-engineered products are critical. This is UAC’s second Fulton installation in Romania – at an all-new facility built to cope with increased demand from the airline industry – and third installation across its sites in Europe and Vietnam.

A bespoke, energy efficient heating and refuelling system has delivered 36MW of flexible heating for several different construction phases of the plant

ICS Cool Energy, an international market leader specializing in complete temperature control solutions for manufacturing process and facilities applications delivered a bespoke, energy efficient heating and refuelling system at an electric car manufacturing site being constructed in Germany. 

The customer required a quick and state-of-the art approach that would provide them with energy efficient heat for different construction phases. ICS Cool Energy, with one of the largest hire temperature control fleets in Europe, was able to meet all the requirements and design the most efficient heating and refuelling concept. The installed system comprises hire boilers, a fully managed fuel package, indirect diesel fired heaters and air handling units working in tandem.

The success enjoyed by Lanemark Combustion Engineering Ltd. since its formation in the early-1980’s can be attributed not only to its production and technical capabilities but also to its ongoing commitment to training and personnel development.

Jeff Foster, Sales Director at the Nuneaton-based organisation, which manufactures process gas burner systems that are used in a range of industries – from metal pretreatment and brewing to the petrochemical sector – draws attention to the benefits of this approach. 

Winn & Coales (Denso) Ltd are delighted to introduce a new addition to the Denso product line – Denso Bore-Wrap™.

Denso Bore-Wrap is an Abrasion Resistant Outerwrap (ARO) which has outstanding performance against impact, gouge, abrasion, and fracture. Denso Bore-Wrap creates a superior sacrificial outer laminate layer, which protects both pre-approved field joint coatings and mainline coatings (such as, liquid epoxy coatings, heat shrink sleeves, 3LPE, 3LPP and FBE coatings) from damage during pipeline installations, in difficult terrain or by means of trenchless installation methods, such as directional drilling, HDD or boring. 

The Fabricated Type J or K Grounded Thermocouple has a stainless steel tube and available in various lengths and has the junction grounded at the tip for a fast response. Each thermocouple has 2 metres of IEC glass fibre stainless steel over braided cable terminating in bare tails. The probe has a temperature range of -60 to +350°C.

Access to actionable data has been identified by Ultimo Software Solutions as being the most important factor, in relation to asset management, in the chemical processing sector.

The findings have been published in a new whitepaper entitled Optimising uptime and cost control in the chemical processing industry. The paper covers the most crucial subjects in relation to Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) and is available to download at: www.ultimo.com/whitepaperchemical.

The paper, written Chris van den Belt, Team Leader Product Management at Ultimo, covers the major factors that influence asset availability and concentrates on the topics of uptime and cost control. A major finding of the paper is that the ability to turn data into clear information, that can be acted upon, is often missing within chemical processing operations. The point is made that while data is theoretically available for every asset, particularly those that may already be connected with sensors as part of an industrial internet of things (IIoT) deployment, this data is not being captured and utilised to its potential.

New research with senior private equity and venture capital professionals reveals 71% expect there to be more than 160,000 commercial air taxis operating around the world by 2050.    Some 17% anticipate there will be over 200,000.

The research was commissioned by Horizon Aircraft, the advanced aerospace engineering company that has developed the Cavorite X5, the world’s first eVTOL (Electric Vertical Take-off and Landing) that can fly the majority of its mission exactly like a normal aircraft.

The findings also reveal that in 30 years’ time, 36% of private equity and venture capital professionals interviewed said they expect the urban air mobility market to generate revenues of around $90 billion a year, but 46% believe it will be more than this.

Brandon Robinson, CEO and Co-Founder of Horizon Aircraft said: “At the end of 2020, the renowned global consultancy firm Roland Berger published a report claiming the urban air mobility market will have around 160,000 commercial air taxis by 2050, and the sector will be generating around $90 billion a year in revenue.  These are lofty estimates, but our research suggests many professional investors believe the market could be even bigger than this. This is probably being fuelled by a stream of exciting news coming out of the sector, including Astro Aerospace’s recent announcement to acquire us.

“However, investors should be warned that there are over 400 eVTOL concepts around the world being developed, and the vast majority of these will never become commercially viable.  They either won’t meet the requirements needed to secure insurance, or because of their design and operational costs and challenges, they may be too expensive to run.” 

On 18th February 2021, Astro Aerospace (OTCQB: ASDND), a global leader in eVTOL aerial vehicles and drones, entered a binding agreement to acquire Horizon Aircraft Inc. The transaction is expected to close on or before the beginning of 2nd Quarter pending customary closing conditions.

Astro, a pioneer in the eVTOL market, has developed one of the market’s safest and most efficient eVTOLs in the world. In 2018, the Company’s drone, ‘Elroy’, was one of the first to seamlessly fly with humans on board. Astro continually defies traditional aviation design, and the acquisition of Horizon will only push the Company further, with the ability to reach greater heights working in tandem with Horizon’s exceptional team.

Visit www.horizonaircraft.com  and www.flyastro.com for more information.

One of the UK’s leading engineering and construction companies – ENGIE Fabricom - has announced the appointment of two new Chief Officers; Chief Executive Officer, Simon Rafferty and Chief Operating Officer, Peter Clouston.

Both join the business having successfully held a number of board positions across the globe and with vast experience across a number of business functions.

Simon joins ENGIE Fabricom having successfully led the Canadian division of the business in the same capacity and with over 15 years’ experience in the engineering and construction marketplace. He brings to ENGIE Fabricom a wealth of experience having ran a diverse range of business functions from sales and business development to project management and contract negotiations.  In his role as Canadian CEO Simon has successfully led numerous major projects focusing on staff engagement and operational efficiencies.