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Landia UK is marking its 30^th anniversary of business. Set up in 1994 as a subsidiary of Landia A/S in Denmark (established 1933), the UK company began as a humble, two-person operation with Liz Robinson, and the late Hugh Vaughan.

Today, Liz Robinson, together with Paul Davies, lead the company that prides itself on helping companies find solutions to their wastewater/slurry pumping needs, serving the water, food, farming and biogas industries, plus many more. Landia UK’s longevity mirrors the proven long-lasting operation of its low maintenance equipment, which they say offers customers unrivalled total cost of ownership.

“From a standing start as a complete unknown 30 years ago, we’ve firmly established our reputation as problem solvers, with great products and tailored solutions,” said Liz Robinson.

“I want to thank our hard-working team for their dedication and belief in what we provide, which to some at first, doesn’t appear to be cheapest, but will, in the long-term almost certainly prove to be so.”

Recent successes for Landia UK include its digester mixing system for the biogas sector, with landmark installations for Yorkshire Water, Scottish Water, Eco Verde Energy and Cannington Bio Energy. In addition, Landia UK has won significant praise for its work in helping provide pumping/aeration solutions to the Timothy Taylor’s Brewery, Deeside Cereals, plus numerous farms all over the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Landia UK’s Paul Davies, added: “We’re very proud of marking our 30^th anniversary, but year in, year out, demand continues to grow for our pumps, especially where hard-to-handle solids in wastewater and slurries create big problems for equipment that isn’t robust enough. We also pride ourselves on the back-up we always give to our customers. After a sale, unlike some, we don’t just walk away.

“We’re also into our 18^th consecutive year of offering training and career opportunities to prospective local young engineers, which is now paying dividends. Members of our team who learnt their trade as apprentices in the workshop are now out in the field, servicing and selling Landia equipment. These talented young people will play a key part in our future.”

www.landia.co.uk

As a safety professional, selecting flame detectors that align with your facility’s requirements is essential. Discover the key factors to consider when choosing a flame detection system.As a safety professional, you want to purchase flame detectors that meet your facility’s needs. Learn what to consider when choosing a flame detection system.

From traditional industrial environments to today’s increasingly complex hazardous processes, the risk of explosion and/or fire remains a critical concern. However, basic process controls typically do not warn of conditions outside normal system limits. Since industry vapors and gases (hydrocarbons) burn with very high flame temperatures, an external fire detection system that can rapidly sound an alarm in the event of a fire is essential to protect human lives and valuable equipment.

As a safety professional, you want to purchase flame detectors that best meet your facility’s particular needs. Here are a few things to consider when researching a fire and gas detection system.

For a comprehensive overview of flame detectors, such as operating principles and coverage best practices, download our Flame Detection Handbook.

Download the Handbook

The most popular systems use optical methods to detect flames; that is, they detect the absorption of light at specific wavelengths. Two common optical flame detector types are (1) combination ultraviolet/infrared (UV/IR) and (2) multi-spectrum infrared (MSIR). Unlike simple UV or IR detectors, UV/IR and MSIR devices are sensitive to more than one band on the energy spectrum and therefore are less likely to produce a false alarm. Both technologies function well either indoors or outdoors and provide a reasonably fast response time.

Should you choose UV/IR or MSIR detectors? That depends on several factors.

• What kind of fuels does your facility employ? Alcohols? Gasoline? LNG/LPG? Solvents? Something else? Understanding your fuel’s flammable properties will help you determine the optical flame-detecting technology you need.
• Do other types of radiant energy exist in your facility, such as arc welding, hot objects, or direct sunlight? Your flame detectors should be able to distinguish between these non-fire energy sources and real flames. Typically, MSIR detectors provide the best immunity to these types of false alarms.
• How high is the risk of air-borne particulates should a fire occur? Smoke, oil, grease, and some chemical vapors can reduce a UV/IR unit’s detection range, so if, for example, heavy smoke is a concern, you should consider MSIR technology.
• Can the detector be placed near the potential ignition source or must it be located relatively far away? How wide an area should the device monitor? Different UV/IR and MSIR units offer varying detection ranges and fields of view (FOV). Match your environment with the corresponding device specifications for the best coverage.
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This post has covered key factors to consider when choosing the right flame detection system for your needs. For further insights on these topics, including false alarm immunity and self-test diagnostics, download our Flame Detection Handbook

Learn more How to Safeguard Your Industrial Facility Against Fire Hazards

Discover Flame Detector Technologies

Are you ready to get even more connected? MSA Safety’s innovative gas detection systems can communicate and share alerts, helping you keep workers safer than ever before.

Innovation has driven rapid advances in gas detection over recent years, helping to significantly improve safety for workers operating in industries like oil and gas, steel manufacturing, waste water facilities and other utilities.

Take our ALTAIR io™ 4 Connected Gas Detector, for example. Combining built-in, cutting-edge, CAT-M LTE cellular connectivity and integration with the MSA Grid, it offers the real-time insights and actionable data you desire to give your workforce enhanced protection.

But now MSA innovation has taken workplace safety one step further with an addition to our Grid software – the Shared Alerts System.  With Shared Alerts, workers can be instantly notified when a team member or someone working nearby has triggered an alarm, so enabling swift responses to emergency situations. In contrast, traditional systems often rely on manual processes – such as where the health and safety manager is tasked with identifying the hazards and notifying nearby workers themselves.

How the MSA Shared Alerts System works

When you upgrade your non-connected gas detection system to ALTAIR io™ 4 connected gas detectors, your workers' gas detectors can communicate with each other and share alerts. You can configure the system so workers receive either proximity-based alerts, meaning that everyone within a specific distance can be notified, or label-based alerts where everyone within the same wing, floor, or department can receive an alert.

Workers can receive notification of the following three different alarms:

• Gas alarm – this alarm is triggered when a worker’s device detects dangerously high levels of gas such a H₂S or CO₂ or identifies that a worker has reached their exposure limit. A widespread notification sent in response to this alarm means that everyone in the vicinity can take prompt action to evacuate or assist.
• Motion alarm – this alarm activates when a worker remains motionless for an extended period, indicating a possible emergency. Nearby workers or colleagues receiving a notification sent if response to this alarm can respond rapidly, offering immediate assistance.
• Worker emergency alarm – this is manually triggered by a worker in distress. Again, all nearby workers or colleagues can be alerted, helping to ensure a rapid response.

Protect lives – upgrade your connected gas detection solution

The benefits of upgrading so your workers can receive shared alerts can be significant. You will enjoy:

• Enhanced safety – Anyone working in the vicinity of someone who has triggered an alarm can receive instant notification, allowing them to take immediate action to protect both themselves and others.
• Faster evacuation –Notified workers can evacuate smoothly and efficiently with minimum delay so everyone stays safe.

Connect your workers today

Shared Alerts helps to quickly notify a workforce when a hazard has been detected or a colleague is at risk. And this in turn helps you foster a safety-first culture where everyone can be more aware of risks and take greater responsibility for keeping themselves and others safe.

Find out how Shared Alerts could improve safety management at your organisation

Talk to an MSA expert today

In replacing its aging stirring equipment, a major chocolate factory in Cote d’Ivoire has reduced its energy consumption for the process by more than 70%.

Serving eight tanks from 500-litres up to 30m³, agitators made by Mixel are successfully homogenizing, mixing, holding and suspending highly viscous products up to 6300 cps across process temperatures of 95^oC to 130^oC.

Marvin Bouterra from Mixel, commented: “We’re often brought in to provide an enhanced mixing solution, where the perceived belief is that more power will somehow be the answer. However, with CFD and finite element calculations, we have, in this part of Africa, been able to demonstrate that smaller motors, designed in with the right amount of specially inclined propellers would not only reduce energy costs, but also improve the whole process.”

He added: “The customer’s tanks in Cote d’Ivoire are all cigar-shaped, which presents the significant challenge of trying to achieve comprehensive mixing in vessels that are extremely high in relation to their diameter.

“Typically for water applications, we’d usually install a single helix to create sufficient axial flow over the height of the tank, but with chocolate, for such a wide variety of operations (mixing, high/low speed, homogenization, heat exchange, storage, blending, preparation and suspension), our design experience of more than 50 years shows that we have to install three, four or even five agitators.”

He continued: “Each ingredient, from cocoa liquor to lecithin, cocoa butter and fat, has its own behaviour in terms of viscosity and density when mixed, so the additional helixes provide sufficient turbulence to obtain a good shear and axial flow that comprehensively mixes the tanks.  The mixing of chocolate is mechanically demanding though, and likely to weaken the agitator if it is not specified correctly.”

Mixel also saw clearly that although the chocolate factory’s old flat turbines (inclined at 45 degrees) had functioned quite well, their single-surface, single-tilt-design meant that they were very energy-intensive.

Established in 1969, and with almost 50,000 agitators installed worldwide, Mixel has developed numerous mixing solutions, including its innovative Multiplane propellers, which have the advantage of offering several different inclinations.

Mixel’s overall solution for this Cote d’Ivoire factory also provided mixing with just the right torque for an optimum stirring rate, with turbines installed at the base of each tank to stop solids from settling.

www.mixel.fr

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Two words stir fear in the mind of any maintenance engineer: namely ‘unscheduled downtime’.

Many companies have an annual shutdown where essential maintenance is carried out without affecting production. Senior management are perfectly happy, accepting the fact that no production is taking place for two weeks as contingency measures will have been put in place to build stock levels and ensure customer satisfaction. On the other hand, unscheduled downtime can prove extremely costly and even be an organisation’s downfall.

When a production line suddenly stops it has the potential to disrupt the entire supply chain, leading to delays in product delivery and customer dissatisfaction. The cost of breakdowns clearly goes way beyond the cost of a replacement component.

Take an industrial gearbox for example; many units are bespoke pieces of equipment that cannot be bought off a shelf. Lead times for such items can be several days or even weeks, putting additional stress on other lines within your organisation. Other hidden costs such as overtime pay for production workers and expenses for emergency repairs also must be taken into account when calculating the true cost of breakdown

. In the world of preventative maintenance there are an array of different tools and techniques available. A well proven technique that has been used for many years is used oil analysis. Although capable of providing very accurate results, it can prove to be time consuming as the analysis usually takes place off site and results are provided hours or even days later. Another drawback is that direct access to the piece of equipment is required to draw out the fluid, something that is not always possible if the equipment is elevated or in an area of restricted access.

Thermography is a powerful tool for preventative maintenance in manufacturing. By simply pointing an infrared camera at a piece of equipment, heat patterns and anomalies in equipment can be quickly detected. For example when a bearing exhibits excessive wear in a gear box, frictional forces rise and heat is generated. A thermal camera is capable of detecting this heat and thus specific components can be identified, and the appropriate remedial action undertaken. In addition to being non-invasive, thermal imaging can also be carried out at a distance meaning those difficult to access areas are all within reach. And of course, all the analysis can be carried out whilst the machinery is still in operation, meaning production is not disrupted.

If analysis is carried out at regular frequencies valuable data can be obtained that can be used to track the condition of equipment over time. This data-driven approach enables more informed decision-making and better planning of maintenance activities. Overall, thermography is an essential component of a robust preventative maintenance strategy, ensuring operational continuity and safety.

1/2 Teledyne FLIR specialize in the design and production of thermal imaging equipment including thermal cameras and sensors. Over many years they have built a worldwide reputation for innovative technology can be used over a wide range of industries. For engineers who have had many years of experience with thermal imaging cameras, the technology provides a deep understanding of the equipment’s condition, especially if used frequently allowing for trend analysis to be gained. However, even relatively inexperienced users can gain significant amounts of information on potential problems. Several of the FLIR thermal cameras contain software that enables users to establish an ‘inspection route’.

Once established any user can follow the same route with the camera automatically selecting the optimum settings and parameters for each piece of equipment on the route. Once complete the camera wirelessly transfers data and images to a pre-prepared report allowing ease of analysis and interpretation. If you are concerned about unscheduled downtime or have a maintenance department that are always adopting a reactive stance to breakdowns, then it’s time to explore the potential of thermal imaging cameras and establish how they can reduce the equipment failures, ensuring your organisation maximizes uptime and in turn your competitive advantage. www.FLIR.com has more information, especially in the ‘Condition Monitoring’ section where you can request a call from one of the team of experts, who will be happy to talk through the solutions and features, or organise an on-site demo to see how FLIR cameras can support your organisation.

An Enerpac pump-powered door handling system is helping boosting production at the CSR Monier Roof Tile Plant, Darra, Brisbane. The system ensures all doors on the curing chambers are handled in a quick and efficient manner, ensuring production rates are maintained with no stoppages.

Roof tiles are manufactured in batches and then cured in a heated chamber. Declining factory productivity prompted CSR Monier to ask manufacturing and process improvement services company, Heltec Pty Ltd of Queensland, to review concrete roof tiles production from the factory’s 20 curing chambers. 

Following an analysis of the roof tile production process, Heltec refurbished the concrete curing chambers to improve insulation, hence providing a higher humidity and ensuring consistent temperature across the chamber. All chambers must be completely sealed and airtight, to ensure that the exothermic reaction produced by the fresh concrete tiles can be taken advantage of. 

Options for automated doors that could provide an airtight room on such an old structure were limited. A custom door was designed; however the site needed a way to handle them in a prompt manner to accommodate the fast-paced manufacturing environment. Heltec developed a frame-mounted, custom push bar locking system powered by an Enerpac XC2 pump and RC59 cylinder. Once the large steel door of the heat chamber is in the closed position, the frame is moved into place. The operator then turns on XC2 pump which in turn activates the Enerpac RC59 cylinder, pushing the bar to lock the chamber door. Once locked, the frame mounted, push bar locking system is released. Mounted on rail above the chamber doors, it can easily travel between the factory’s 20 chambers.  

In addition to its labour-saving benefits, the Enerpac pump-powered locking system also ensures a reduced manual handling risk to the operator. Heltec advised that they favoured the Enerpac XC2 over other brands due to its reliability and quality along with the technical support that Enerpac provided, which made designing the system easier.

Initial results from using the refurbished chambers have a 50% reduction in the variation of resultant tile strength across the room, enabling greater daily production volume. Coupled with this was a 47% reduction in the variation across the chamber for residual moisture in the tiles prior to packaging, meaning storage times in the yard for the final stages of the tile curing process can be reduced and the product dispatched to customers quicker.

“The Enerpac XC2 pump and RC59 cylinder has played an important role ensuring that all chamber doors are not only handled in an efficient manner, but also in a safer way,” said Peter Stephens of Heltec Pty Ltd. 

For more information on the Enerpac XC2 pump and Enerpac’s range of battery-powered, portable pumps, visit www.enerpac.com.

Borger has launched a new cutting-basket macerator that helps protect wastewater/biogas pumps and downstream equipment by consistently mashing solids.

Designed with pivoted cutting blades that adjust automatically, the OrbitGrinder operates at an even cutting speed, with its cutting basket’s blades arranged in a special star shape to maximise shredding.

Not only is flow through the OrbitGrinder’s cutting basket homogenous, but the baffle plate also ensures that the suction force of the pump is evenly distributed.

Compared to standard, round perforated disks, the circumferential speed of the Orbitgrinder’s blades is the same in every cutting point, delivering uniform macerating results. Macerators with round perforated disks also typically see excessive wear of the cutting plates’ outer edge, whereas the OrbitGrinder’s design and durability provides a significantly prolonged service life.

The OrbitGrinder’s simple inlet and outlet can be positioned at different angles to suit, and with the top and bottom parts connected by standard screws, this highly effective new macerator can be easily integrated into any existing system.

As with all proven Borger equipment, the Maintenance-In-Place design makes servicing much easier than laborious alternatives. The OrbitGrinder benefits from a gas strut assisted quick-release cover. Impurities are sent into the debris collector.

Borger UK

01902 798 977

www.boerger.com

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For over 16 years, the composite wrap system, Belzona SuperWrap II, has been applied throughout multiple industries to restore the strength of holed, weakened and corroded assets. Now, the R&D Department at Belzona Limited has honed the capabilities of this technology so that, with the new epoxy resin, Belzona 1984, this technology is now optimised to be applied in aqueous environments.  

Figure 1. Application of composite wrap system in submerged environment  

Surface-Tolerant Composite Repair System Optimised for Underwater Maintenance

One of the key individuals behind the development of the new surface-tolerant composite repair system, Ian Wade, Technical Services Manager at Belzona Limited, explained more: “The Belzona SuperWrap II compliant system already features three resins designed for different application and service temperatures. Belzona 1984 is the latest development in this system, engineered specifically with surface tolerance in mind. This resin can be applied directly to damp, wet and underwater surfaces without the need for abrasive blasting.”

Figure 2. Ian Wade, Technical Services Manager at Belzona Limited

Ian continued: “Once cured, Belzona 1984 resists temperatures of up to 50°C (122°F) and can be applied in temperatures ranging from 5°C to 40°C (41°F to 104°F). The Belzona SuperWrap II system can be applied as a composite wrap, pad, plate or patch, depending on the application requirements.”

Figure 3. Application and service temperatures of Belzona SuperWrap II resins  

Full Compliance with ISO and ASME Standards

The Belzona 1984 system has undergone rigorous testing and is fully approved for compliance with ISO 24817 and ASME PCC-2 standards. These tests utilised samples which were applied and cured underwater in artificial seawater, representing the worst-case and most aggressive environments. Compliance with these standards demonstrates how Belzona SuperWrap II is optimised for use in a variety of challenging environments, making it a welcome addition to many a maintenance engineer’s repertoire of repair solutions.

Figure 4. Composite wrap system, Belzona SuperWrap II, incorporating Belzona 1984

Rigorous Training Programme Ensures Excellent Standard of Application

In order to apply Belzona SuperWrap II to ISO/ASME standards, applicators are required to complete a rigorous training programme at one of Belzona’s 16 training centres located worldwide. By thoroughly equipping applicators with the skills and expertise to successfully apply the composite wrap system, this ensures that an excellent standard of application is maintained.

To uphold this standard, every two years, Belzona’s Corporate Belzona SuperWrap II Trainer Committee conduct a mandatory audit of all Belzona SuperWrap II trainers, facilities as well as internal staff. Upon successful completion of the audit, Belzona SuperWrap II accreditations are then renewed. Again, this process is designed to ensure a consistently safe and successful application of the composite wrap system.  

Bypass Carbon- and Cost-Intensive Replacement Process

As industries continue to ratchet up their carbon mitigation measures in line with the net-zero by 2050 pathway, the use of polymeric repair and protection technology offers a real boon for maintenance engineers. The process of replacing damaged assets incurs a hefty carbon footprint, not to mention considerable financial expenditure. With polymeric technology, engineers can successfully bypass the carbon- and cost-intensive process of replacement, and instead rehabilitate their assets and protect them against future damage. Now, this can be achieved even in the most challenging application environments thanks to the surface-tolerant epoxy resin, Belzona 1984.

Figure 5. New surface-tolerant epoxy repair resin, Belzona 1984

How to run ladders, podiums and steps inspections?

Ladders, podiums and steps should be regarded primarily as a means of access. If used in the workplace this should only be for short periods of time and only then if the use of more suitable equipment is not justified because of low risk and/or when the residual risk is adequately controlled. It is generally safer to use work equipment such as tower scaffolds, podium steps, temporary stairs or MEWPs (Mobile Elevating Work Platforms) than ladders.

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) requires employers to ensure that ladders, podiums, and steps are inspected regularly for defects and repair or replace any that are found to be damaged. Employers must also train employees on how to properly use, maintain, and inspect ladders, podiums, and steps to prevent accidents. If an employee is found to be using a ladder, podium, or step that is defective or damaged, the employer may be cited by OSHA for a violation.

Our recommended actions:

• Have a system of identifying when ‘unsafe’ or not to be used
• Be given a unique identification mark or tag
• Be recorded in a suitable register
• Have appropriate records of inspection, repairs or maintenance
• Be checked daily and prior to any use for damage, faults and wear
• Be inspected by a competent person at periods determined by type, intended use, work conditions, place of use, age and previous use
• Be stored in suitable areas and conditions

Reference to the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, manufacturer or supplier information and the risk assessments for the work to be completed will give guidance relating to required competent person inspection checks and periods.

Laddertag from Scafftag

Laddertag is the original and industry leading status tagging system for ladders. A complete range of ladder inspection systems are available to control your ladder safety, inspections, maintenance and identification. Laddertag is a robust and highly visible system for displaying information relating to a ladder's class, inspection period and inspections due as well as a handy, quick-reference ladder inspection checklist. It is for this reason that it has been adopted by thousands of leading ISO 9000 companies.

Watch the short video how to use a laddertag >>

Scafftag – A Brady business

Units 22-28, Atlantic Business Park, Hayes Lane, Sully, CF64 5AB

Phone: +44 (0)845 089 4060

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www.scafftag.co.uk