The Swedish supplier,BTG, is marketing a de-watering analyzer. The DRA-5000 measures pulp de-watering rates at the headbox to monitor chemical efficiency at the wet end. The analyzer permits closed-loop control of wet chemicals in the production of newsprint, fine paper, board and tissue. The unit is installed on the headbox circulation line and takes samples every minute to measure the de-watering time of the pulp suspension.

Krofta Waters in the UK has developed a dissolved air flotation (DAF) clarifier for use in the pulp and paper industry. The Megacell DAF clarifier contains a double lamella system, which allows both co-current and countercurrent flow within the same unit. The double flotation system is capable of maintaining complete zero velocity, the company claims. The Megacell is a rectangular unit, designed to fit between building columns.

Nissan Chemical Industries has become the first in the world to develop a spherical colloidal silical sol that forms in strings like a pearl necklace. Snowtex-PS silica was conceived as an alternative to conventional spherical colloidal silica for coating inkjet paper. The Japanese company claims the product offers a higher pore rate and produces large voids after dry gel formation to improve ink absorption. The product is aimed at a variety of markets including surface treatments for plastic and metal surfaces as well as inkjet paper.

RKB Opto-Electronics has launched a web inspection system using CCD (charge coupled device) cameras. The Model 3020 is designed to scan across the entire web width for streaks and scratches that occur during coating operations at high speeds. The Model 3020 system provides detection capabilities beyond equipment-based online scan video cameras, the US company claims. The equipment can be integrated with existing web inspection equipment or used as a stand-alone system.

US company Southworth Products has reached new heights with the introduction the E-Z Reach Lift and Tilt table. The device features independent control of vertical lift and tilt angle for precision lifting. The Universal Tilter Base accommodates for the shifting center of gravity as loads are tilted. The product is available with tilting platforms up to 1.4 m by 1.4 m.

Oil-Rite has given a boost to its Purgex injector pump. The US company has created a single piece piston for the pump aimed at improving liquid adjustability and output accuracy. The injector pump ejects all air vapor and impurities with each stroke, making it impossible for vapor lock to occur, the company claims. The company has also incorporated its Threadadapter connector into the single piston design. The Threadadapter is a fastener for securing the two manifolds together.

Michael Smith Engineers has extended its range of magnetically driven gear pumps. The UK company has introduced a range of drives for the pumps with industrial variable speed motors featuring built-in inverters. The new options provide capacity flows from 5ml/min up to 20 l/min at maximum differential pressures of 4-10 bar. The motor speed can also be adjusted from 25% to 100%. The new drives can be coupled with all the existing stainless steel magnetically driven gear pump heads currently available from Micropump.

German company Erhardt + Leimer has developed a non-contact, infrared edge scanning system. The FRA 35003 system is designed to eliminate the erratic guiding movements and edge wear problems associated with "contact"-type sensors. The system consists of heat resistant infrared sensors that are fully sealed for wet or dry end application. The sensors include an intelligent cleaning system that monitors the signal intensity and automatically cleans the lenses with water or air when the signal reaches a pre-set threshold. The system can be incorporated into Erhardt + Leimer fabric guides or retrofitted to existing guides.

Flowline has broken new ground with the release of a small tank level sensor. The Ricochet LA15 ultrasonic transmitter is a non-contact, corrosive level measurement application for intermediate bulk containers and small process vessels. The sensor design features enable the transmitter to be applied in vessels with limited measurement space around other instrumentation, the US company claims. The transmitter is pre-calibrated and connects directly to the user's remote PLC, indicator or controller.

Hot off the press from the US company, Cadmatic, comes a new breed of virtual reality maintenance and design software. The maintenance concept can be linked up to virtual reality systems used in process plant design. Engineering data required for plant design is transferred directly into the maintenance system for use once the plant is in operation. A user sitting at a monitor can 'walk' through the different sections of a mill or plant and access maintenance data by clicking a mouse. Technical data relevant to the chosen object is displayed on the screen, including service history, spare parts and service manuals. The 3D model can also interface with a company's own maintenance software. Cadmatic 3D software runs on Windows NT and Unix.

BTG has expanded its range of smart consistency transmitters with the introduction of the TCT-2300. The Total Consistency Transmitter is the world's only in-line transmitter for measuring the total consistency of pulp suspensions in the lower ranges, the Swedish company claims. The transmitter is designed to measure consistency at levels below 2%. The instrument is suitable for measuring recycled and mechanical pulp suspensions in processes such as screening, cyclone cleaning and flotation. In TMP and CTMP pulp mills, it can be used to guard against the risk of heat exchanger plugging at the steam generator, according to the company.

BetzDearborn has developed emulsion polymers for wastewater treatment. Novus cationic polymers help reduce sewer loss and solids going to the waste clarifier, the UK company claims. The polymers have been developed to condition sludge for maximum water release and boost production from drying equipment.