Heat Trace introduce the World's first 300ºC+ self-regulating heat
tracer, having power outputs up to 150W/m at 10ºC pipe temperature

UK-based Heat Trace Ltd., the global technological leaders in heat tracing, have introduced the World's first 300ºC+ self-regulating heat tracer, having power outputs up to 150W/m at 10ºC pipe temperature.

Heat Trace already leads the heat tracing world technically with its FSU self-regulating heater, which is approved for use at up to 250ºC un-energised and 200ºC switched on.

Now the FailSafe range extends to temperatures beyond the limits of normal polymers.  The new AFS heater withstands in excess of 300ºC un-energised and 250ºC switched on.  The product has been successfully tested at 20ºC above these levels in its approval process.

As with the remainder of the extensive self-regulating range, AS is inherently temperature safe - i.e. it is incapable of overheating as it will always self-regulate within its constructional temperature limitations.

The aluminium sheath is the subject of granted world patents, whilst the high temperature heating matrix is also the subject of patent applications.

Now, high temperature applications, such as bitumen, sulphur, or sodium pipelines may be maintained with self-regulating heaters, whereas in the past, user unfriendly series resistance mineral insulated, metal sheathed heaters had to be designed especially for each application and required specialised termination techniques.

AFS self-regulating heaters may also be applied to pipelines subjected to high pressure steam cleaning, or for high power duties such as rail points heating systems.

Heat Trace: The authority in heat tracing for over 34 years
Heat Trace Ltd. is a privately owned British company operating globally in the design, manufacture and supply of electric heat tracing cables and associated equipment.

The company is recognised as being the technological leader in the field of heat tracing and surface heating systems.  Its range of heating cables is perhaps the most comprehensive available worldwide, with parallel resistance, cut-to-length heaters offering the highest temperature withstands and highest powers available.

Established over 34 years ago, Heat Trace's Corporate HQ and main manufacturing plant is based close to Chester, UK.  The business is active in over 40 countries around the world, offering the most up-to-date and technically advanced electric trace heating systems.

Widely regarded as The Heat Tracing Authority™ in systems design and product range, Heat Trace Ltd. can provide a variety of products and services for all types of heat tracing projects.

From equipment-only sales, to full turnkey projects, including design, manufacture, supply, installation and commissioning, Heat Trace Ltd. can deliver cost effective and innovative solutions.

Investing around 15% of turnover into Research and Development, since inception, the company has been granted 10 patents for unique and innovative products or processes.  Currently they have a further 11 patent applications pending - ensuring that Heat Trace continue to remain at the forefront of design and development in the field of electric heat tracing systems.

For further information, e-mail: michael.dicker@heat-trace.com

The new generation of water powered DOSATRON^® dosing pumps with
a higher performance and no metal parts - Thanks to VICTREX^® PEEK^TM

DOSATRON^©, a global leader in water powered dosing pumps, is revitalizing its product range and presents the DOSATRON D3 product series - the latest generation of this practice-proven dosing pump to meter out and mix liquids or water-soluble concentrates. The ingenious technological innovation is founded on a simplified design of the "water motor" with no metal parts and with a driving system made of the high performance polymer VICTREX^® PEEK^TM.

Leveraging 30 years international experience in the field of dosing medicines for livestock, fertilizers in irrigation systems, soluble oils in industry, cleaning agents and disinfectants for hygiene, the DOSATRON D3 product series consolidates and surpasses the very best from Dosatron and its technologies.

When connected to the water mains the Dosatron pump uses water pressure as its exclusive driving force. The water pressure forces the concentrate downstream and the required amount is metered and mixed with the propulsion water. The solution produced in this manner is then pumped into a water pipe. The dose of concentrate will be directly proportional to the volume of water entering the Dosatron pump, regardless of variations in flow and pressure which may occur in the main line.

The Dosatron Development Department has optimized the concept of a highly simplified differential hydraulic piston motor (17 parts instead of 52 parts). This has been possible as a result of two new Dosatron patents. The new design does not contain a single metal part and features a valve driving system with a spring blade made with the thermoplastic VICTREX PEEK polymer.

The exceptional mechanical properties of this polymer have enabled Dosatron engineers to proceed along a completely new course in product development. The outstanding properties of VICTREX PEEK, for example, excellent creep resistance, a high yield strength and fatigue performance even at high loads, have made it possible to develop a premium and reliable spring function. This entirely injection-moulded part eliminates the need for mounting of metal parts. Moreover, corrosion problems that can be associated with special steel springs are now a thing of the past as a result of VICTREX PEEK's high level of chemical resistance even in aggressive environments. Furthermore, the polymer's excellent resistance to fluids such as acids and chlorine products enables the dosing pump to be deployed in extremely varied application areas.   

Finally, the Dosatron dosing pump motor, designed without any metal parts around a high performance spring made of VICTREX PEEK, offers improved reliability and longer life, because of fewer moving parts. The motor is very easy to maintain and can be simply assembled or disassembled. The number of individual parts has been halved, chemical resistance has been improved adding greater safety, ease of use and maintenance, have all made it possible to significantly boost performance compared with the Dosatron's previous series.

The maximum water flow increased to 3 m³/h, without increasing the frequency of cycles or pressure loss, while keeping the minimum flow at 10 l/h. The dosing rates of models currently available have been extended to 0.2 - 2%, 0.5 - 5%, 1-10%, while models with dosing rates of 0.05 - 0.5% and 5 - 25% will be added in 2009. The injection settings cover injection rates of between 0.005 and 500 liters per hour with complete accuracy being maintained over the entire range. This increase in injection capacity also applies to intake suction of viscous products (powder solutions or liquids).

DOSATRON® in profile
With an export production exceeding 85%, DOSATRON is internationally represented in more than 100 countries. The company maintains a comprehensive network of instantly accessible professional sales partners as a genuine world-wide link for instant, close proximity with clients.

For further information, view website: www.dosatron.com or contact Hilde Van Steijn, e-mail: hilde.vansteijn@dosatron.com

Dolomite, world leader in microfluidic design and
manufacture, continues to expand microfluidic capabilities

Dolomite offer a range of microfluidic valves and pumps which can be used in isolation, in sub-systems, or built into fully integrated systems. The new range of solenoid valves and metering pumps are incredibly small yet powerful tools in microfluidics, offering the ability to provide very precise fluid control, whilst maintaining a small overall system size.

The high-quality valves and pumps are made from inert materials such as PTFE and PEEK for maximum chemical resistance. The novel solenoid valves and metering pumps are designed with the smallest possible dead-volumes to maximise sample availability, which is of the utmost importance in microfluidic systems. The low dead volume also makes the valves ideal for integration with Dolomite's microfluidic chips. The small installation area allows new opportunities in designing complex systems with a very small footprint. (Refer to the picture above).

"With these new valves and pumps, we have introduced additional flexibility into our customized microfluidic system solutions, increasing the range of possible applications. With our extensive experience of solving microfluidic problems, we really understand our customers' need so we provide true tailor-made microfluidic systems", said Mike Hawes, Dolomite's Head of Marketing.

Dolomite specialises in custom devices and complete instrument design allowing smaller, faster, cost-effective and more powerful systems to be developed. Dolomite's versatile and innovative standard range of products also includes microfluidic chips, connectors / interconnects and pumps.

For further information, e-mail: mike.hawes@syrris.com