PRODUCTION
NEW
EQUIPMENT
Seminoiseless Electric Vibrators Syntron Co. announces the addition to its line of bin, hopper, and c h u t e vibrators, of seminoiseless models of the larger sizes. These seminoiseless vibrators perform the same function as t h e s t a n d a r d models, with a sharp reduction in the operating noise, making them especially useful on interior bins, hoppers, and chutes w h e r e large numbers of employees a r e working. T h e reduction in operating noise is d u e to a design change in which t h e metallic striking parts have been eliminated and rubber bumpers substituted therefore. These vibrators a r e available in four models, with capacities r a n g i n g from 2 0 cu. ft. of material u p to those h o l d i n g h u n d r e d s of tons for operation from 110-, 220-, or 44-v. a.c. They are all furnished with the Syntron variable vibration controller by m e a n s of which the intensity of vibration can b e regulated to suit the material being h a n dled. E 1
Armored Conductivity Cells For Sulfuric Acid Armored conductivity cells for t h e measurement of strong sulfuric acid concentrations are a n n o u n c e d b y Industrial Instruments, I n c . T h e new cells a r e supplied in pairs with one cell as t h e reference a n d t h e other as the measuring cell. T h e pressure seal has b e e n redesigned t o eliminate dependence u p o n glass p a r t s . D e s i g n e d for pipeline installations, t h e cells a r e suitable for line pressures up to 5 0 p.s.i. hundreds of t o n s for operation from 110-, T h e cells are m a d e of heavy wall borosilicate glass w i t h p l a t i n u m electrodes a n d matched cell constants of 1.00. Metal parts are of either steel or type 316 stainless steel. E 2
Double-Closure Bin V a l v e T h e Twistite double-closure bin valve, offered by Stephens-Adamson Mfg. Co., consists of two rubber sleeves joined b y a rotating steel collar. Dust a n d drip-tight closure is obtained b y pulling on a cable wrapped around t h e rotating collar, sealing t h e opening w i t h a twist in each of the rubber sleeves. T h e valve is selfopening, the elasticity of the r u b b e r sleeves causing them to r e s u m e their cylindrical shape immediately w h e n tension on t h e cable is released. Since the flexible rubber sleeves can w r a p themselves easily around lumps c a u g h t in the valve during closure, there is less d a n g e r of leakage d u e to variation in the size of material particles. T h e Twistite valve c a n b e h a n d - c o n trolled locally b y m o u n t i n g a ratchet lock on t h e valve to h o l d t h e cable in t h e closed position. Remote h a n d control can
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For further information on any item mentioned here, s e e coupon on page 814 b e obtained by m o u n t i n g t h e ratchet lock at any desired location a n d running t h e control cable- to it b y a simple pulley arrangement. T h e valve can also b e controlled automatically by the use of a small actuating motor. T h e standard 6-in. v a l v e weighs 35 lb. with t h e ratchet cable lock mounted on t h e valve frame. It will handle l u m p sizes u p to 2Va in. a n d requires a 30-lb. cable pull for closure. O t h e r sizes are available on request. E 3
Demineralizers w i t h D i r e c t Reading M e t e r s Barnstead Still & Sterilizer Co. reports that its Bantam demineralizer is n o w e q u i p p e d with a direct reading m e t e r which indicates water purity. This feat u r e enables anyone t o tell the purity of the water at any t i m e a n d maintain a constant purity check on t h e flow of d e mineralized water. F o r convenience, t h e instrument is calibrated in parts per million and also in ohms electrical resistance. T h e demineralizer is also complete w i t h a needle-type regulating valve for easy flow adjustment, a d r a i n valve, a n d a base for bench mounting. Base may be rem o v e d if wall m o u n t i n g is desired. E 4
Automatic T i t r a t o r Beckman I n s t r u m e n t s , Inc., has recently announced t h e B e c k m a n automatic titrator. As its name implies, this n e w instrument handles routine titrations automatically, thus releasing t h e laboratory technician from t h e strain and m o n o t o n y of m a n u a l titrations a n d permitting him more time for preparing samples and calculating results. T h e Beckman titrator n o t only makes accurate titrations m o r e rapidly a n d conveniently than is possible by m a n u a l m e t h o d s , but it also gives objective, reproducible results t h a t are free of errors d u e to personal factors. Operation of the Beckman automatic titrator is simple a n d convenient, the manufacturer says. In a series of titrations it is only necessary to fill t h e buret, place t h e sample in t h e beaker, and then turn t h e rest of t h e operation over to the titrator. Raising the beaker holder into position automatically starts t h e stirrer motor and begins delivering titrating solution into t h e sample. An unusual circuit is employed to anticipate electrically t h e a p p r o a c h i n g end point, scaling down delivery of t h e titrating solution in progressively smaller increments to assure accurate titration.
CHEMICAL
W h e n the end point is reached, delivery of the titrating solution automatically stops and a light shows completion of the titration—all without any further attention from t h e operator. Neutralization, oxidation-reduction, p r e cipitation, complex-formation, a n d other types of titrations encountered in the m o d e m chemical laboratory can all be performed on this instrument. Only 1 to 1.5 min. are required to complete many routine titrations, a n d even titrations to 0 . 1 % accuracy can b e completed in 2.5 min. or less. T h e adjustable holder accommodates beakers or similar vessels from 10 to 400 ml. capacity and the instrument may be used with all standard b u r e t s down to 5 ml. in size. As m a n y as four delivery units can be accommodated by a single amplifier control unit, thus making a w i d e choice of titrating solutions instantly available. As a further convenience, ample provision has been m a d e for mounting heating devices or other special e q u i p ment without interfering w i t h t h e operation of t h e titrator. T h e unit uses standard Beckman glass electrodes. Both t h e control unit and t h e titrator units are enclosed in all-metal cases. In addition to its u s e as an a u t o matic titrator, this Beckman development can also be used as a n a.c.-powered p H meter to give accurate readings over the range 0 to 14 p H , a n d can also be used to provide millivolt readings over t h e range from —600 to 1400 mv. E 5
Flow Regulating Valves A complete line of flow regulating valves is announced by t h e Swartwout Co. Known as Swartwout t y p e V 1 0 valves, the units are designed to h a n d l e steam and water a t high pressure drops, and especially flashing condensate. Uses include drainage for stage h e a t e r s , evaporator coils, flash tanks, process systems, subcooled heaters, boiler blowdown, feed p u m p recirculation, a n d other severe service conditions w h e r e high-velocity impingement causes frequent maintenance or complete valve replacement. T h e manufacturer states t h a t in one of t h e largest central stations in the East, a Swartwout V10 valve h a s b e e n in continuous use for over three years without any signs of wear on a high pressure heater drain where 550 p.s.i. condensate at saturated steam t e m p e r a t u r e flashes to 340 p.s.i. as it passes t h r o u g h t h e valve. All internal parts of the V 1 0 valve, seat, disk, and long guide sleeve a r e m a d e of stainless steel which has b e e n heat treated and ground t o precision fit. Valve design, with scroll inlet a n d gradually expanded straight outlet, eliminates direct impingem e n t a n d resulting corrosion-erosion effects. Swartwout V10 valves are supplied in seven pipe sizes ranging from 1 to 4 in. All sizes can be furnished in 150 to 600 p.s.i. standards; 900 to 1500 and 2500 p.s.i. standards are also available. E 6
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