Ash Cloud Sensor Takes Off, and more...

Sustainability and Design Evaluation Software The industrial designer has tools available to weigh durability, aesthetics, and manufacturability of a product. A Desktop Engineering article reviews the use of software options that introduce lifecycle assessment and sustainability into the design process. The Web-based input system of Sustainable Minds software generates a detailed accounting of the manufacturing bill of materials, transportation methods, disposal routes, and ecological impacts. Environmental metrics can be compared for material substitutes and alternative design inputs. Similar capabilities have been incorporated into CAD programs, notably SolidWorks Sustainability Xpress and Autodesk Eco Materials Adviser.   Catalytic Sensors Control Instruments Corp. Environmental Sensors CGES Series CARLO GAVAZZI Automation Components Catalytic Sensors for Flammable Gas Catalytic sensors are typically used to monitor flammable gases in the 0-100% Lower Flammable Limit (LFL or LEL) range. Catalytic sensors are best suited for area monitoring applications. The CGES Series can also be used to control humidity levels in wet climates, thus elevating the comfort level of the occupants and discouraging the growth of mildew. Air velocity and temperature sensors can be used to keep indoor air temperatures at comfortable levels, and maximize energy efficiency.
Gas Measuring . . .
Real-time Measurements Using a Mid-IR Laser-based Platform Thermo Scientific — Air Quality Instruments and Systems
The New IRIS 5500 Mid-IR Laser-Based Analyzer uses state-of-the-art mid-infrared laser absorption spectroscopy to simultaneously measure methane (CH4) and water vapor concentrations in real-time with high precision and accuracy. The analyzer features unique Difference Frequency Generation (DFG) laser technology which effectively leverages commodity telecom laser sources with a non-linear frequency conversion crystal to access the mid-infrared spectral region. Learn more about real-time, high precision greenhouse gas measuring using a mid-infrared laser-based platform.
Refuse & Recycling . . . Learn More Drinking and Driving? Not exactly. Rather, Ford will practice drinking and recycling by converting 2 million PET bottles into seat fabric for its Focus Electric vehicle. The automaker's offerings are currently 90% recyclable at the end of service life, and each 2012 all-electric car will include content from about 22 plastic 16 oz water bottles. Coal to New Castles A waste product generated by a South African coal mining company is being used to make bricks for residential construction. Video explains how about 200 tpd of gypsum recovered from wastewater treatment operations is mixed with cement. Using the heat-insulating material instead of traditional cement prevents emissions of 3 metric tons of carbon dioxide for every home built. Pollution Control Solutions . . . Learn More Two for Trace Metal Recovery The challenge of removing trace levels of heavy metals from water is met by combining chemical precipitation and cyclic electrowinnning. Metal concentrations are increased until they are high enough to be effectively removed in the closed-loop scheme developed at Brown University, RI. The process diagrammed in thisvideo removed up to 99% of copper, cadmium, and nickel. Carbon Dioxide Capture: It's the Humidity Silica materials impregnated with polyethylenimine were demonstrated to cost-effectively capture carbon dioxide from air. The inexpensive adsorbent achieved some of the highest CO2 removal ratesever documented for humid air. After releasing the gas for isolation or use in other applications, the polymer material is regenerated and placed back into service.   Get a Better Sense of Your Process Arjay Engineering Ltd.   NitroVap Nitrogen Generators from Parker Parker Hannifin Filtration and Separation Div. / Balston Products Capacitance probes do more than just monitor level. Measuring and tracking product dielectric trends are like having extra eyes on your process. Concentration, emulsion, profiling, interface, flow, moisture content, tank leaks, and plugged chutes are just a few examples. Our new hard copy catalog may spark an idea. Request Printed Catalog. The NitroVap-1LV and NitroVap-2LV Nitrogen Generators are non-electrical, miniature bench, or wall mounted units and these unique systems require less than 1 sq ft of bench space and can supply over 100 evaporator nozzle positions. Hazardous Waste Remediation . . . Learn More Size Up Remediation Option Sustainability The contribution of two software tools to remediation project sustainability was assessed by application to three case studies from the Savannah River Site, SC. Both programs reduced environmental impacts of remediation projects, although SiteWise commanded greater variety in renovation scenarios while Sustainable Remediation Tool focused more on specific contaminants, media, and site geometry. GreenDesign+Manufacturing offers more from the comparative analysis. Data for Radioactivity Decontamination The materials database managed by Japan's National Institute for Materials Science is being expanded to include information on natural adsorbents for cesium, strontium, and iodine. The physicochemical properties of inorganic materials sampled from diverse regions will be made available in the publicly accessible MatNavi system to improve decontamination efficiency at nuclear power plants. Environmental Sensors . . . Learn More Camera Focuses on Radiation Hotspots An instrument used to monitor radiation at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant was scaled down to a Portable Gamma Camera by Toshiba. The smaller model features a 30x greater sensitivity up to 0.1 μSv/hour and combines camcorder images with radiation sensor data. Tech-Onreports that color-coded radiation hotspots are displayed in real time. Ash Cloud Sensor Takes Off Widespread disruption of air traffic that impacted Europe with the April 2010 eruption of Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull volcano need not be repeated with the advent of AVOID. The wing-mounted Airborne Volcanic Object Imaging Detector developed in Norway monitors ash concentrations up to 100 km (60 miles) ahead of the aircraft. Real-time reporting reduces flight hazards posed by ash plumes. If you find this subject interesting, subscribe to GlobalSpec's e-Newsletter, DirectU2 The world of Aerospace Technology.   Basket Strainer Fluidtrol Process Technologies, Inc. Customized Compact DOD Pneumatic Systems Ultra Electronics Precision Air Systems Fluidtrol offers a complete line of standardmodel strainers, from 3 in. and up, which can be modified upon request and we can fabricate custom strainers to specification for your application. Ultra Electronics PAS specializes in the research, design, and manufacture of lightweight high-performance, high-pressure pneumatic systems, gas filtration systems, and components for aerospace and military applications. HiPPAGs High Pressure Pure Air Generators are compact, lightweight, electrically-powered, pure-air compressors designed to be carried on board various military platforms.