The recently-launched AMPHIBIO Remote from Industry Superstore – the online source for industrial, factory and premises management equipment and consumables – is a remote-controlled floating fire pump that, thanks to its compact size, is portable and ideal for tackling challenging fires in inaccessible locations, evacuating water from flooded areas or used to fill a fire service tender’s water tanks.
In recent field-tests by firefighters from Leicestershire Fire & Rescue Service in Coalville, the AMPHIBIO Remote succeeded in pumping water from a lake for over three hours without refuelling and without interruption. The floating fire pump’s buoyancy and manoeuvrability also allowed the firefighters to navigate various terrains, including water bodies and debris-filled areas.
Commenting for Leicestershire Fire & Rescue Service, a spokesperson says: “The integration of Industry Superstore’s AMPHIBIO Remote floating fire pump has helped to add to Coalville's firefighting capabilities and will prove an invaluable tool when tackling fires, including wildfires in remote locations, a growing threat and one witnessed on numerous occasions in the UK in recent years.
“The fire pump's easy and swift deployment in very shallow water, such as streams, will allow wildfires to be rapidly extinguished without any manual water transfer. Its remote-controlled operation also allows firefighters to monitor the situation from a distance.”.
Commenting for Industry Superstore, Warren Eburn says: “Coalville's implementation of the floating pump has demonstrated a significant positive impact on its firefighting operations. The device's versatility, adaptability, and remote-controlled functionality have expanded Coalville's capabilities, enabling it to effectively combat fires in challenging environments.”.
He goes onto say that the innovative AMPHIBIO Remote has enhanced Coalville's firefighters' safety while improving incident response and mitigating property damage. The successful integration of the remote-controlled floating pump has also highlighted Coalville's commitment to embracing technological advancements to better serve their community and protect lives and assets.
Equipped with a six-litre fuel tank and powerful water pump, AMPHIBIO Remote is capable of flow outputs from 380 to 1075 l/min and delivery heights up to 45m even when located in natural water sources as little as 15mm deep.
The ergonomic design and structure of the fire pump ensures it can be easily carried; and its streamlined and compact shape enables convenient vehicle storage and enhanced water surface stability.
Curtiss-Wright Industrial Division has today announced the launch of Powerchair Manager, an end-to-end, total powerchair solution, ranging through design, manufacture, user experience, remote servicing and data analysis; and a solution claimed by the company to be an industry first with significant benefits for OEMs, Providers, Users and Service
Features and benefits of Powerchair Manager include
- Customer Software: Enhances powerchair functionality and creates unique features with R-net’s Customer Code Space.
- Manufacturing: Streamlines production with Curtiss-Wright’s Manufacturing Programming tool.
- Enhanced Data-Logging: Learn more about how powerchairs are used and cared for.
- My Powerchair App: Enables users to learn more about their powerchairs.
- Cloud Connectivity: Transmit logged data and store in the Cloud.
- Web Portal: View and analyze Cloud-stored data, enabling remote diagnostics, management of extended warranties and informed future design decisions
Powerchair Manager will be officially unveiled at this year’s REHACARE International Trade Fair for Rehabilitation and Care in Düsseldorf from 13th to 16th September, where Curtiss-Wright can be found on Stand C41 Hall 6.
There are numerous industries, processes and applications where steam boilers are still used. Thanks to their efficiency, versatility, and reliability in generating steam for various purposes, they are widely used in commercial and industrial buildings for space heating, hot water and process hot water production. In healthcare facilities, for example, they are used for sterilisation of medical equipment and supplies; and within the food and beverage industry for cooking and distilling applications. And so, the list goes on, with manufacturers using steam boilers throughout the petrochemical, pharmaceutical, textiles, paper and pulp industries and many others.
Processes and applications using steam have revolutionised over the years, however, the same cannot be said for steam boilers themselves. That was until, in 2018, Fulton launched the VSRT vertical steam boiler.
Claimed to be the most radical change to vertical steam boiler design since it first pioneered the vertical tubeless boiler in 1949, Fulton’s VSRT has rocked the steam boiler market since its launch to become class-leading and a symbol of efficiency, with many users benefitting from excellent savings in gas and water consumption and reductions in CO2 and NOX emissions.
At launch, the seven-model VSRT range was available with outputs from 160 to 960 kg/h, but with demand increasing for an energy efficient boiler with larger outputs, Fulton is now expanding its range and introducing two new, re-designed VSRTs (VSRT-100 and VSRT-125) with outputs of 1565 and 1956 kg/h. But what are the benefits of these two larger output models for end users?
As Fulton’s managing director Carl Knight explains, these models are ground-breaking for their output range: “When you consider the new models, there are no truly efficient tubeless vertical steam boilers in the marketplace with similar output ranges, the VSRT is the only tubeless boiler available with the capability of efficiently producing nearly two tonnes per hour of steam. In short, what we are delivering with these new models is much higher output versions without compromising efficiency!”
The new VSRT models maintain exceptionally high operating efficiencies (up to 86% gross thermal efficiency compared to approximately 80% from typical boiler designs), which results in lower operating and lifecycle costs and improved return on investment. In fact, using the lower-output VSRTs as an example, many of Fulton’s customers are achieving fuel savings of between 20% and 30%, with the University of East Anglia reporting a reduction in gas consumption from a recent installation of nearly 28% and over 57% for water. In addition to the gas and water savings, the University’s sustainability report also identified an 85-tonne reduction in CO2 annually, savings that can be credited towards its net zero goals, and an approximate 40% reduction in NOX emissions throughout the burner firing range.
And, as Carl explains, Fulton fully expects the VSRT-100 and VSRT-125 to achieve the same savings. “Like lower output models, the latest VSRTs boast the same impressively high 10:1 turndown capability and continue to achieve ultra-low NOX emissions of less than 20ppm or 40mg/Nm3 at 3% O2, which falls well below MCPD’s requirement of <100mg/Nm3., The VSRT also therefore complies with the stringent City of London Air Quality Strategy requirements.”
These advanced, energy-saving and environmentally beneficial features are standard across the now expanded VSRT range. Compared to other steam boilers, the VSRT is also a more durable and, in many cases, compact boiler that is energy-efficient, produces an increased output of higher quality steam and is easy to maintain.
So how do the new VSRTs compare to other steam raising solutions with similar outputs?
As already mentioned, the new VSRTs are the only tubeless boilers available with the capability of efficiently producing nearly two tonnes per hour of steam. To achieve similar outputs, end users would have to consider horizontal shell and tube boilers or steam generators.
The water volume of the VSRT is equivalent to or greater than these alternatives yet, combined with an impressive steam chest volume, can react quickly to changes in steam demand. And despite the larger water volume, the larger VSRTs still boast a start-up time of less than one hour (compared to between 3 and 24 hours for a typical boiler) and achieve a steam quality of >99.75%, a detail most manufacturers are unwilling to publish.
Thanks to its unique design, the VSRT’s patented spiral-rib heat exchanger virtually eliminates thermal stress, so Fulton has therefore created a longer-lasting boiler that not only improves boiler efficiency but one that the company believes will beat the competition in every category of durability. This is why all VSRTs come with the assurance of a 10-year ‘unparalleled’ warranty on the pressure vessel, double that of the industry standard.
With features including a vertical tubeless design with no refractory whatsoever, and thanks to its industrial control platform and easy access to the pressure vessel, the VSRT is also extremely easy to maintain. Additionally, as it contains no refractory there is no requirement for five-yearly, non-destructive testing, which contributes to reduced lifecycle costs when compared to standard horizontal boilers.
Efficiency and operation stats aside, the VSRT’s footprint can be as little as 25% of an equivalent horizontal boiler, a significant saving when designing buildings, and a major factor when considering the lease cost of real estate.
But what does this all mean for the end user in terms of lifecycle costs?
The following 15-year comparative costs example uses a single boiler installation. Here, a typical three-pass, horizontal shell and tube steam boiler (without economiser) is replaced by Fulton’s new VSRT-125, both firing on natural gas, with each boiler having a steam output of 1,956kg/h. For this comparison, we have conservatively assumed the VSRT to be 20% more efficient than an equivalent horizontal boiler; and that each boiler has a total annual run time of 4,200 hours.
Lifecycle Service/Maintenance Costs (Inspections, etc.)
Horizontal Boiler: £68,700.00
VSRT Boiler: £39,000.00
Additional Recommended & Mandatory Maintenance Costs (NDT, Inspections, etc.)
Horizontal Boiler: £36,954.00
VSRT Boiler: £4,400.00
Extraordinary Maintenance & Repair Costs (D Patch, Re-tube, Refractory)
Horizontal Boiler: £44,000.00
VSRT Boiler: £2,000.00
Fuel Costs (Based on 0.06p per kW/h inc. Standing Charge)
Horizontal Boiler: £5,862,213.00
VSRT Boiler: £4,594,060.80
Footprint Costs (Based on £9/sqft/annum)
Horizontal Boiler: £74,250.00
VSRT Boiler: £19,440.00
Total Lifecycle Costs (Exc. Supply and Water Treatment)
Horizontal Boiler: £6,167.765.00
VSRT Boiler: £4,700,300.80.00
In summary, as these figures demonstrate, with lifecycle cost savings approaching £1.5 million over 15 years and payback achieved within a matter of months, Fulton’s VSRT delivers a solution to help with both the financial and environmental challenges that are at the forefront of mind for many decision makers.
In this article, Steve Moorey of Industry Superstore – the online source for industrial, factory and premises management equipment and consumables – looks at absorbent wringers and why they make an excellent investment for your company by improving absorbents life and creating efficiencies for your bottom line by reducing waste.
Disposing of oil and other containments recovered in absorbent pads is a daily problem, with many companies often losing precious raw materials – such as oil from accidental spills or during day-to-day overflow leakage while handling coolants and hazmat liquid chemicals – through their inability to recover valuable resources after absorption. This inability to recover these fluids can prevent companies from meeting environmental standards by forcing them to waste or dispose of fluids when they could be recycling them.
Additionally, the expense of using universal absorbent mats or pads just once before disposal quickly adds up. As do the monthly bills of paying for waste removal services.
However, using an electric or manual (hand) absorbent wringer can easily solve these problems by increasing the lifecycle of absorbent materials, enabling you to keep and reuse or repurpose the liquids you recover and therefore improve your environmental compliance.
What are the benefits of using an absorbents wringer?
In short, their return on investment is excellent. On average, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that a hand wringer pays for itself in just three-to-five weeks, with cost savings quickly adding up by spending less on supplies and reducing waste disposal costs. Imagine buying your absorbents by the box instead of high-volume pallets!
Help your business go green!
A hand wringer allows you to recycle fluids, improving your environmental compliance. This efficient chemical recovery and collection system aides waste stream separation, allowing you to meet waste minimisation goals by sending less materials to landfill, which can also help minimise risks from potentially leeching toxic hazmat chemicals.
Save money on annual operation spend!
By utilising an electric or hand absorbent wringer, the EPA reports annual savings of 51-75% on the purchase of new absorbent mats and pads, not to mention reducing overall spend on chemicals. That's because you can easily recover fluids so they last longer, your purchase frequency reduces, and you'll be reducing your monthly waste disposal management services bill.
Which absorbents can you wring and re-use?
Mats and pads are examples of absorbent supplies you can wring and re-use, which means you can extend the service life of the most common contents found in spill kits. Additionally, you can also improve the drying process for wet industrial floor or ground protection mats, and fabric shop rags and wipes.
Once you finish a spill clean-up, be it from an IBC or drum leak, wet absorbents can be passed through an absorbent wringer to easily recover and recycle the waste fluids. However, recovered fluids must be non-flammable, which typically excludes many solvents, paints, or combustible fuels.
What options are available?
Having been used comprehensively in the USA and now offered to UK and European markets exclusively via Industry Superstore, the SRM-22 spill recovery machine is just one example and features dual-driven, chemical-resistant rollers.
Two models are available, the standard SRM-22 hand-cranked version or SRM-22e with integrated electric motor drive. Both models feature two 38cm heavy-duty rollers through which saturated absorbent mats and pads are effortlessly drawn to extract the fluids, which are then collected in either a connected 45-gallon (204 litre) drum or 5-gallon (22 litre) plastic container placed on a wheeled trolley.
In tests conducted by Industry Superstore, it was found that using the SRM-22 with highly-absorbent, polypropylene pads was an ideal combination for the recovery of oils and chemicals.
Curtiss-Wright Industrial Division has today announced that it will be exhibiting at this year’s REHACARE International Exhibition in Germany.
The company, which has been designing, manufacturing and marketing sophisticated medical-mobility control systems for more than 40 years, will use the occasion to showcase its latest medical mobility vehicle solutions and provide connectivity demonstrations, including remote access to powerchair data.
Thanks to its world-leading range of powerchair control systems and mobility scooter controllers, Curtiss-Wright is renowned as one of the world's foremost suppliers of control solutions for electrically-powered mobility vehicles.
For further information and to see what’s new in medical mobility, visit Curtiss-Wright Industrial on stand C41 in Hall 6 at Rehacare 2023.
Advanced Insulation (www.aisplc.com)
Since its formation in 2007, Advanced Insulation has become a single source provider for insulation and fire protection systems to the oil and gas industry, and represents one of the most respected and progressive names in topside and subsea insulation worldwide.
Advanced Insulation offers a wide range of products to meet the growing demand for fire protection and thermal insulation systems adaptable for elevated service temperatures and pressures.
AL-KO Kober (www.al-ko-co.uk)
Since 1931, AL-KO Kober has been manufacturing premium, high quality components used in the Automotive, Commercial and Leisure industry.
The extensive range of chassis components, premium accessories and spare parts are engineered to last, ensuring whatever product you have purchased, you will benefit from the generations of development and enjoy a lifetime of service.
Arc Energy Resources (www.arcenergy.co.uk)
Arc Energy Resources is one of the UK’s leading specialists in weld overlay cladding and fabrication for the oil & gas industry. The company’s expertise provides protection against corrosion and wear for a variety of process and pipeline equipment for use in any hostile environment.
The company recently made a major investment in two new Rotating Head welding machines costing £500,000. This has increased productivity and extended the size and scope of work it can handle, which now includes complicated component geometries for the full or partial cladding and fabrication of a huge range of component sizes weighing up to 15 tonnes. The company’s in-house designed cladding workstations feature state-of-the-art control systems developed to suit its customer’s specialised engineering requirements, and can clad bores up to four metres diameter and areas of restricted access within bores as small as 20mm diameter. Arc Energy also offers in-house test weld, heat treatment, PMI and NDT facilities.
Industry certifications include ISO 9001:2008 quality management, ISO 3834-2 fusion welding of metallic materials, and the internationally renowned ASME U and R Stamps, as well as ISO 14001:2004 environment management, Investors in People and OHSAS 18001:2007 Health & Safety management system.
Curtiss-Wright Industrial Group, which includes the legacy brands of Arens Controls, Penny & Giles, PG Drives Technology and Williams Controls, is a recognized leader in providing components and sub-systems which enable customer specific solutions for on- and off-highway vehicles. These include medium- and heavy-duty trucks, buses and motor coaches, construction and agricultural vehicles, materials handling, and other specialty vehicles, as well as sophisticated wheelchairs and scooters for medical mobility.
We are a leading provider of electronic throttle controls, transmission shifters and sensors for commercial off-highway equipment and heavy trucks, so helping to address the long-term trend towards attaining higher fuel efficiency and lower emissions. We also supply operator controls and advanced motor controllers for hybrid and electric vehicles, such as buses, forklift trucks, pallet stackers, wheelchairs and rehabilitation chairs.
With a proud legacy spanning more than 85 years, Curtiss-Wright 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, we have a long tradition of providing reliable solutions through trusted customer relationships.
Further information is available from the Curtiss-Wright Industrial website (www.cw-industrialgroup.com) or by calling +44 (0)1202 034000.
Euchner (UK) Limited (www.euchner.co.uk)
Safety for people, machines and products has been the maxim of this family-owned company since 1953. Stefan Euchner is the third generation to take the helm.
As specialists in industrial safety engineering, Euchner develops and manufactures products and solutions tailored to the requirements of customers from a wide range of sectors. Using its guards on machines and installations helps to minimise hazards and risks, which in turn protects people and processes. For its 800 employees around the world, safety is the watchword.
Further information is available from the Euchner (UK) Limited website (www.euchner.co.uk) or by calling +44 (0)114 256 0123.
Industry Superstore (www.industrysuperstore.co.uk)
Industry Superstore is a one-stop-shop for a wealth of budget-friendly, high-quality products tailored to industry!
Further information is available from the Industry Superstore website (www.industrysuperstore.co.uk) or by calling +44 (0)1892 664499.
Exmac Automation Limited has many years experience in the design, manufacture, and installation of unit conveyors, conveyor systems and associated materials handling equipment for most industry sectors.
Exmac Automation is part of the MacDonald Humfrey group of companies and are market leaders in the supply of automated materials handling equipment to the automotive, aerospace, white goods, warehouse & distribution, nuclear, pharmaceutical and food & beverage industries.
The group supplies to most industry sectors and have over 250 employees with many years experience in the design, manufacture and installation of unit conveyors, conveyor systems and associated materials handling equipment.
Projects have ranged from individual standard conveyors and bespoke handling applications, through to complete turnkey contracts involving conceptual and process design, installation and commissioning.
We are ISO 9001 accredited and constantly strive to achieve continuous improvements in the overall quality of our products and service.
Exmac Automation has has established a reputation for supplying high quality, robust systems at competitive prices.
In-house resources enable us to provide clients with a single source for complete systems integration including simulation, engineering, machining, fabrication, assembly, controls, installation & commissioning and after sales service.
Our 70,000 sq ft facility in Worcester has extensive design, manufacturing and assembly resources. Our skilled team of customer focussed automation professionals offers a broad base of knowledge and experience in a wide variety of industries.
A large workshop enables us to carry out comprehensive pre-installation assembly and factory acceptance tests on all projects.
Fulton Limited (www.fulton.co.uk)
The Fulton name has been synonymous with steam since the company first introduced the vertical tubeless steam boiler in 1949 and Fulton was established in Bristol in 1966. Fulton is still one of the world’s leading manufacturers, producing an unrivalled range of multi-fuel steam boilers. But increasingly these are ordered by customers as part of bespoke turnkey systems designed to meet exacting specifications.
Today Fulton Limited is an important design and manufacturing base in Fulton’s global network that also includes production facilities in the USA and China. The company’s UK facility makes it possible to manufacture products more efficiently and assemble completed units for whenever and wherever they are needed throughout the UK and in export markets.
Once just a steam boiler manufacturer, Fulton now specialises in ready-to-ship skid mounted and fully packaged boiler plant rooms to meet the current demand for off-site fabrication. The company puts great emphasis in providing sales and application advice and a full commissioning and after sales service to a growing customer base in hospital and healthcare facilities, food and beverage processing, laundries and other applications.
Design and manufacturing resources are shared and coordinated around the world, but no matter where your product originates, it will always be produced to the highest quality in a facility that is wholly owned and managed by the Fulton Group, which remains a privately owned family business.
Fulton’s heating and hot water systems can be delivered as fully prefabricated plant rooms or complete skid-mounted units, built to fit a prepared location and connect direct to your services.
Using the latest CAD equipment its design team can accommodate the most sophisticated engineering specifications in surprisingly compact spaces, locating components in the best possible position to suit the installation.
In every sense, today’s Fulton boiler systems are solutions that fit the requirements of the modern age of steam.
Gast Group (www.gastmfg.com / www.jun-air.com)
Since 1921, Gast Manufacturing, Inc. has been designing and manufacturing quality air-moving products. Our vacuum pumps, compressors, air motors, gear motors, vacuum generators, regenerative blowers and Smart Air technology meet the many challenging applications of OEMs and end-users worldwide.
For industrial manufacturing, health care lab, or environmental cleanup applications, Gast provides a full range of ideally suited and cost-effective solutions to any pneumatic problem.
Monodraught (www.monodraught.com)
In the current climate of soaring energy prices and the fear of global warming, increasing attention is being focused on Monodraught’s range of energy-free products.
Monodraught has always sought to invent, explore and develop innovative technologies that harness the wind and sun. Products include Windcatchers, Sunpipes, Suncatchers, Sola-vents, Sola-boosts and Cool-phase.
Nexen Lift Trucks (www.nexenlifttrucks.com)
Disillusioned with the ever-increasing complexity of new forklift trucks and the failure of the major manufacturers to provide a high level of support to their dealer networks, the decision was taken to develop its own range of forklifts.
In 2003 Nexen Lift Trucks was established with the vision to design and manufacture its own range with a combined 70 years experience of the lift truck rental industry. Nexen's ultimate goal is to build worldwide brand recognition based on its product's design and build quality as well as outstanding reliability at competitive prices.
In 2007 Nexen completed the purchase of the second largest lift truck manufacturer in Taiwan, creating the Nexen Motor Corporation. Initially the existing models were improved whilst a European based design team was established to develop a completely new range of trucks from the ground up to meet Nexen's standards.
Q8Oils (www.Q8Oils.co.uk / @Q8OilsUK)
Q8Oils has become a major player in the global lubricants market. Our success is founded on significant corporate resources, a commitment to product development and uncompromising standards of quality and service.
Q8Oils has a unique and innovative approach producing some of the world´s finest quality lubricants. Manufactured in its state of the art plant at Leeds, West Yorkshire, Q8Oils represent the very best and latest in lubricant technology. With over 1000 grades of finished lubricants, base oils, process oils, extracts and waxes.
We are dedicated to serving the needs of our customers by striving to understand, anticipate and satisfy their needs faster and better than our competitors. To achieve this our objective is to develop and supply products and services which reflect customer demands in each of our market sectors.
TLV Euro Engineering (www.tlv.co.uk)
TLV Euro Engineering UK is part of TLV, an internationally-established designer, manufacturer and provider of steam traps, condensate recovery pumps, pressure reducing valves and other specialist steam solutions. The company plays a leading role in the promotion of efficient energy systems and increased environmental conservation on a worldwide scale through its products and consulting and engineering services.
Rockatek (www.rockatek.com)
Cheltenham-based Rockatek Ltd is an engineering consultancy that offers design, analysis and physical testing services that set it apart from others. Its directors have over 40 years’ experience in complex engineering product optimisation and development; and its engineers specialise in engineering solutions for harsh environments and value improving reliability and performance.
Verco (www.ver.co.uk)
Founded in 1965, Verco quickly built a reputation for supplying quality refrigerated glass door and open chill cabinets to supermarkets, convenience and forecourt stores. Verco is now a leading supplier of retail refrigeration and the largest UK manufacturer of glass door cabinets.
