Q8Oils has launched Q8 Brunel, its latest revolution in water soluble machining and grinding fluids. The Q8 Brunel range has been developed to out-perform all other fluids and has already been successfully tried and tested with manufacturers across Europe. It is formulated to be fully compliant with latest European industry legislation providing a range of products that are free from boron, boric acid, chlorinated paraffin, secondary amine, formaldehyde releasing biocides, nitrites, cresols and phenols.

Introducing the new Q8 Brunel range, Q8Oils product line manager Stuart Duff says: “Following extensive research and both laboratory and field-trial testing, we have reinvented the way in which the industry approaches soluble metal working fluid chemistry by developing a completely new approach that focuses on three key customer requirements – product performance, environmental protection and operator health.”

He insists that, subject to customer requirements, significant improvements to tool life and surface finish are achievable and claims that: “Q8 Brunel is so advanced that it has the potential to reduce the operating costs for every customer.”

The result is a revolution in high performance, water soluble machining and grinding fluids with advanced safety features. Thousands of hours have been invested in laboratory testing and field trials to ensure Q8 Brunel is a revolution in soluble metal working fluid technology, and it is fully compliant with European environmental and chemical legislation. 

All Q8 Brunel grades comply with TRGS 611 and are suitable for use in hard and soft water where they display low foaming properties. They are ideal for high speed machining applications and the demanding fluid delivery pressures found on modern machine tools; and it is here where where significant tool life improvements are achievable.

In addition, all grades are suitable for use in hard or soft water with ultra-low foaming properties and Q8 Brunel metal working fluids are ideally suited for high speed machining applications and the demanding fluid delivery pressures found on modern machine tools.

Against stiff competition from businesses across the South West and South Wales, Plymouth-based Manuplas – an Advanced Insulation company specialising in the design, engineering and manufacture of polymer solutions for the marine and offshore sectors – has won the prestigious regional Environmental Efficiency Award at this year’s EEF/Aldermore Future Manufacturing Awards. 

The regional award win means Manuplas will now be nominated for a national award, which will be announced at a gala reception being held in London in April. 

Commenting for Manuplas, general manager Steve Ward says: “It is great to see that our in-house recycling project, which has seen the company reduce its impact on the environment by recycling an impressive 38-tonnes of lightweight Polyethylene Foam and Expanded Polystyrene Foam, has been recognised by such a prestigious regional award. We are delighted with the win and looking forward to the national awards in April.” 

The EEF/Aldermore Environmental Efficiency Award has been developed to recognise those companies that have done the most to improve environmental performance, for example through improvements in the areas of resources, waste, energy, carbon, water and other emissions and/or more generally improving operational efficiency.

As Manuplas research and development manager David Hamnett explains: “The grade of foam used is not recyclable by traditional methods so, with financial support from Business Link, we investigated available recycling options. We also began looking for organisations that could put the recycled material to good use and discovered opportunities at both Dartmoor and Paignton Zoos. 

He adds that the company purchased a compactor with the intention of significantly reducing the volume of foam waste going to landfill and has, since recycling operations began in 2011, completely eliminated this waste stream. It also reduced the associated high transportation and disposal fees that were costing Manuplas nearly £10,000 a year. 

Used in the manufacture of products for the marine, offshore oil & gas, renewables and leisure industries, Manuplas successfully recycled approximately 2,000 cubic metres (38 tonnes, or the equivalent of more than ten of ‘Duchess’ – the female African elephant at Paignton Zoo!) of lightweight foam between January 2012 and March 2014. The recycling process – which shreds the waste foam and compacts it to remove air content – produces 300 millimetre square logs that are cut into one-metre lengths. 

When Manuplas realised what the recycling process was capable of, they contacted local organisations to ask if the compacted foam logs (which do not rot and require no on-going treatment) would be useful. 

“Happily, having received a positive response from Paignton Zoo, Manuplas subsequently donated a significant number of the compacted logs for landscaping and animal enclosure projects!” Reports David.

The donation has saved Paignton Zoo a considerable sum of money and, instead of the mundane appearance of the previously used traditional timber structures, the Manuplas logs have created a visually striking look that is more in keeping with the Zoo’s natural environments.

Summarising for Westfield Health – the Award sponsor – chief executive Jill Davies says:  “Congratulations to Manuplas on their well-deserved success. Manufacturing is an important part of the UK economy and companies that are constantly looking to improve their performance and grow must be supported and recognised for their efforts.”

For further information on its foam products or foam recycling projects, call Manuplas on +44 (0)1752 771740, email sales@manuplas.co.uk or visit www.manuplas.co.uk. 

Weld overlay cladding specialist Arc Energy Resources has successfully completed a contract for supply of two riser joints for Aquaterra Energy, the provider of world-class and award-winning offshore solutions.

The components are part of two low pressure risers for an oil platform. The finished risers were destined for a set of twenty wells being drilled in the North Sea off the coast of Norway. It is a brand new development for a low pressure section of pipes to deal with any drill fluids and shallow gas that they may encounter while drilling the first top-hole section of a well.

Commenting for Arc Energy Resources, director Andrew Robinson says: “This project played well to our core strengths, a full supply contract for which we secured the material for both components (a flange and pipe for each), applied the weld overlay cladding, welded the flanges to the pipes, organised the pressure testing, completed radiographic testing requirements and arranged final coating of both items all within a very tight delivery schedule.”

The project is a DNV class rig, designed to the DNV0SE101 code and was signed off by Det Norske Veritas as suitably manufactured and designed for the task. Aquaterra Energy Project Engineer Matt Hugo comments: “DNV is one of the oil & gas industry’s largest verification bodies, which confirms calculations that pipe wall thickness and flanges are sufficient for the pressure. For this project they also undertook a review of the overall design of this section of pipe.”

The component acts as a conduit for drilling fluids and equipment during the top hole section and ensures that in the event of gas passing up through the well it can be contained and routed to the rig diverter where it can be vented to atmosphere.

The risers need to have a sealing ring groove in the end of the flange, which is inlaid with an extremely hard, corrosion resistant Inconel 625 alloy. 

As Aquaterra Energy has previously used Arc Energy Resources for specialist welding requirements, it approached the company again with a view to provide full supply of materials, carry out all required welding, inlaying of the flange, testing and coating. 

Arc Energy Resources sourced the machined flanges and clad with Inconel 625, before completing the welding requirements for the project using Submerged Arc Welding – a process that provides a high quality finish. 

Once welded, the parts were pressure tested. Domed end caps were welded onto the straight pipe lengths and then both joints were sealed together through adjoining flange faces to form a complete vessel. For the first stage of pressure testing, the riser was filled with water to a test pressure of 750psi, which provided a safe 500psi working pressure. After being held at this pressure for 5 minutes it was pressured down and pumped back up, then held for a further 15 minutes before being drained-down. When the pressure test was complete, radiographic testing was carried out to confirm that the welds hadn’t cracked or been damaged. The end caps were removed with pipe free ends being finish machined as required. The parts were then sent to be coated. 

Says Matt Hugo: “We were at Arc Energy Resources’ site when the testing was carried out and were very impressed with the way they conducted the demanding procedures, whilst maintaining their high levels of health & safety.”

The final checks for the unit were carried out by a team that included an inspector from Aquaterra Energy’s customer and their own inspector accompanied by an inspector from DNV. Following the riser’s final check the unit was ready for use. It was delivered offshore and installed in position on-time where it has since operated very successfully.

Summing up, Matt Hugo says: “This project was quite a straightforward concept. But, as with many straightforward concepts, there is potential for things to go wrong. Fortunately, Arc Energy Resources’ knowledge and experience ensured that nothing did, and they kept us up-to-date every step of the way and the whole project went very smoothly. Arc Energy Resources did a sterling job, delivered an excellent project, with exceptional performance throughout the manufacture of the unit. They did everything we have asked of them.” 

Gloucestershire-based Advanced Insulation – a leading manufacturer of technical and insulation materials for the upstream oil and gas industry – has announced the appointment of David Raynor as business development manager. 

David will be responsible for building key business relationships for the UK, US and South America; with a particular remit to focus on the company’s topside passive fire protection systems. His aim is to establish Advanced Insulation and its ContraFlame^® and ContraFlex^® products in the western hemisphere, especially Brazil, and confirm the company’s reputation as a  leading supplier of thermal and fire protection systems for deck protection, enclosures, vessels, etc. 

Commenting on his role, David says: “With the region becoming a major power in world oil production it is important for us to reinforce our position in Brazil, so this is a particularly challenging role for Advanced Insulation, and for me.”

David has over 25 years of sales and business development experience in the engineering sector. Recent, relevant experience includes a business development role at Pipex PX, a company providing design and manufacturing expertise for the supply and installation of composite structures and thermoplastic products to the oil and gas and infrastructure markets.

Welcoming David to the Advanced Insulation team, managing director Andrew Bennion says David’s previous business development experience and his in-depth knowledge of oil and gas markets will make him a valuable asset to the company.

For further information on Advanced Insulation’s topside and subsea insulation systems, call +44 (0)1452 880880, email sales@aisplc.com or visit www.aisplc.com

Curtiss-Wright Corporation’s (NYSE: CW) Industrial division has today announced that the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) Formula Hybrid team has taken 6th Place overall in the 2014 Formula Hybrid Competition using PG Drives Technology’s Sigmadrive PM motor controllers to provide smooth and predictable speed control.

The RPI team worked year round to completely redesign and build the parallel hybrid-based DCMS vehicle which, for 2014, resulted in a mid-engine rear-wheel-drive car featuring a 38hp Kawasaki motorcycle engine mounted on the rear differential and coupled to a 79hp Agni 95-based main drive/traction motor. 

In order for the DCMS to deliver racecar-level performance with a comparably small engine, much of the burden of power is left to the electric drive system, which uses a four-quadrant Sigmadrive to integrate the drive system with the vehicle’s CANbus. Like a hybrid vehicle, the electric motor provides the DCMS with instant acceleration and regenerative braking, while the internal combustion engine will engage at a point determined by an on-board computer system and is controlled by the driver using a clutch and electronic throttle. 

The Sigmadrive also allows the driver to regulate the power of the high output battery to deliver 1%, 50% or 100% of the available power going into the motor controller. Typically, this is achieved by applying pressure through the throttle pedal or selecting different gear ratios. However, the vehicle design completely changes every year, and in 2014 the team did have traditional acceleration pedal links to its on-board main control system, passing a direct message to the analogue input of the basic throttle control system to deliver a specific percentage of power. In certain circumstances the control system on the DCMS will make allowances for wheel spin, critical condition of the battery pack or overheating. However, generally it provides direct control of the percentage of torque coming through the motor controller.

Commenting on the reason for specifying PG Drives Technology’s Sigmadrive controller, RPI’s electrical supervisor Ricky Willems says: “Size and weight of the motor controllers were the most serious factors in the specification, and shape was also a major concern. Compared to competitive motor controllers of similar ratings, the Sigmadrive was substantially smaller and lighter. Its form factor was thin, wide and long, which allowed it to be placed strategically below the driver and positioned vertically behind his back.” 

He goes on to say that other features and factors that influenced the team’s decision on specifying the Sigmadrive controller included a large aluminum mounting surface that proved essential when the motors were at maximum output; and the regenerative braking feature, which meant the team didn’t need to design its own.

PG Drives Technology’s Sigmadrive provides smooth and predictable speed control of permanent magnet traction motors across a wide range of system voltages and power ratings. Their advanced design includes features such as IMS technology, high-resolution current measurement, CANbus communications and extremely low heat dissipation. The Sigmadrive can also be configured for dual-traction applications and includes a range of dedicated electric power steer assist controllers.

Curtiss-Wright’s Industrial division is a recognized leader in the production of critical controls and assemblies for specialty vehicles, including sensors, electronic throttle controls and joysticks. For further information about products and other innovative solutions available from Curtiss-Wright’s Industrial division, please visit www.cw-industrial.com or call +44 (0)1425 271444.

About Curtiss-Wright Corporation

Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE:CW) is a global innovative company that delivers highly engineered, critical function products and services to the commercial, industrial, defense and energy markets.  Building on the heritage of Glenn Curtiss and the Wright brothers, Curtiss-Wright has a long tradition of providing reliable solutions through trusted customer relationships. The company employs approximately 10,000 people worldwide.  For more information, visit www.curtisswright.com.

Monodraught’s patented Windcatcher X-Air® natural ventilation system is now offered with a 10-year No Leak Guarantee.

This unrivalled level of weather protection for a roof-mounted ventilation system guarantees that Windcatcher X-Air units won't leak for ten years from the date of installation/commissioning thanks to three unique layers of Activlouvre® weather protection.

First, Monodraught’s patented modulating louvre technology allows the weather resistance of the external louvre blade to be increased dependent on weather conditions, even when closed at roof level to prevent snow being blown through its open louvre arrangement. Second, the Activlouvre uses a weather resistant double-step louvre profile that provides 25% more ventilation than a conventional Classic louvre profile. And third, Windcatcher X-Air units now feature a computer designed, profiled internal rain trap louvre fitted as standard.

Windcatcher X-Air systems carry a 10-year installation guarantee with the systems’ control actuators guaranteed for five years.

For further details visit www.monodraught.com.

Refood’s state-of-the-art anaerobic digestion plant in Widnes is a first-class recycling technology alternative. Diverting food waste from landfill, Refood is a trusted choice when converting commercial business food waste into green energy. In 2013, heat transfer specialist Fulton successfully tendered for the supply of a packaged hot water boiler system consisting of 12 FHE-250 modular hot water boilers for the Widnes site. 

Commenting on the decision making process, Shane Murray, group project manager for Saria (Refood’s parent company) says: “Fulton presented a solution to provide multiple small hot water boilers which, additionally, gave us spare capacity during scheduled maintenance or if one of the boilers malfunctioned. The Fulton design was also considerably better than anything we saw from their competitors."

Commercial food waste delivered to the Refood site is processed through an anaerobic digester, a natural method that – working in a similar way to a compost heap but on an industrial scale and in the absence of oxygen – biologically breaks down food material to produce biogas. Once the biogas is upgraded to the standard required, it is then injected back into the national grid.

Fulton’s boiler installation at Refood is providing multiple functions. Its two primary functions are to provide hot water for the cleaning of the site and hot water for washing and sterilisation of the food waste bins. The boiler system also provides heat to the pasteurisers prior to the anaerobic digesters. To comply with ABP regulations, legislation dictates that pasteurised food waste has to be maintained at 70 degrees centigrade for one hour. Heat from the boiler system is also used for the under floor heating system in the offices and other ancillary processes on site.

“We were so impressed with the design, installation and the fact that heat and hot water from Fulton’s boilers are used for so many functions, that we are also discussing maintenance packages with the company.” says Shane.

Fulton has an enviable reputation for manufacturing fully prefabricated, skid-mounted systems and plant rooms offering high levels of efficiency and reliability.

Fulton’s highly-efficient, low-temperature FHE-250 hot water boiler features a fully-condensing, stainless steel heat exchanger and its modular approach to design also means that additional boilers can be combined to suit any application and hot water requirement. With the complexity of control being a criticism of many hot water boilers available on the market today, the new FHE-250 uses a single control panel, which is capable of controlling a single unit or a modular installation.

Further information on the products and services available from Fulton can be found at www.fulton.co.uk by emailing sales@fulton.co.uk or by calling +44 (0)117 972 3322.