TPI July 2024

Business & market news

Asahi/America introduces larger Series 19 actuator sizes for butterfly valves

support of the Italian company SMS SpA, part of the SMS Group and Vesuvius Europe GmbH, both with significant experience in the industrial field. The process involves complete rebuilding of the masonry, using state of-the-art refractory materials, as well as the installation of a new set of SMS RADFlame HY2 radiant burners, a new combustion control system and replacement of the automation level. “SMS RADFlame burners, with the burner type positioned at the top, will ensure uniform, extended flame so that heat is distributed efficiently inside the oven. This hybrid configuration results in significant further reduction of carbon emissions, with the flexibility to operate with hydrogen and natural gas in any percentage in the fuel mixture,’’ an SMS SpA spokesperson said. push buttons, local controls and a QR code for easy and instant access to user manuals. All Asahi/America Series 19 electric actuators have a corrosion resistant NEMA 4X engineered resin enclosure with stainless steel trim to protect the unit’s reversing, brushless DC motor and permanently lubricated steel gear train. The multi-voltage unit operates at a 75 per cent duty cycle for more frequent cycling of the valve. Compatible with most PLCs, the Series 19 is a good choice for OEMs and skid manufacturers where space is at a premium, but power cannot be sacrificed.

Artrom Steel Tubes, which is based in Reșița and Slatina in Romania, has invested more than €6mn in 2024 to optimise measures to reduce carbon emissions and fuel consumption. It has partnered with a number of established suppliers to the European metalworking industry, which will ensure the re-engineering of certain production processes. “Over the next two years, the metallurgical industry will have to make huge financial efforts to start major technology change projects, despite all the challenges it faces. The European institutions are calling for a shift to zero emission green steel, replacing coal with natural gas and methane gas with hydrogen from green technologies, as well as the re-engineering of steel flows from iron ore and coal. “The European Union has allowed member countries to grant state aid for the modernisation of their companies, but in the absence of this, we have resorted to financial efforts to ensure the acceleration of the decarbonisation processes of our plants,” said Adrian Popescu, chairman of the board of directors of Artrom Steel Tubes. The company has started the process of upgrading the block heating furnace for forming pipes for rolling with the Asahi/America Inc has expanded its Series 19 SAV electric actuation line to include a larger sized actuator, known as the S400, capable of operating on Asahi/ America’s family of 8" and 10" Type-57 butterfly valves. The Series 19 S400 is a part of the SAV Smart Pack ® electric actuator product line and is available as an on/off, failsafe, modulating or modulating failsafe unit. The Series 19 S400 actuators have an output torque range up to 3540"-lbs. They feature all of the same standard features as Series 19 product line including a heater, one set of dry contacts for PLC confirmation and one for alarm reporting, OLED screen with

The Series 19 S400 is a part of the SAV Smart Pack ® electric actuator product line

All Series 19 actuators are CE labelled and compliant and factory mounted and tested to ensure dependable operation. This recent addition of the S400 is the latest update to the Series 19 product portfolio that was originally launched in 2021. Asahi/America www.asahi-america.com

Artrom Steel Tubes invests in technology to accelerate decarbonisation process

The furnace upgrade allows for a reduction in natural gas consumption, which directly influences the reduction of the pipe plant’s carbon footprint. The process also supports the possibility of using hydrogen, which will contribute to climate neutrality. The refurbishment will be completed later this year. Another of the company’s initiatives is aimed at streamlining and decarbonising the production of its own steel used for the manufacture of pipes, as well as significantly reducing production costs related to the manufacturing flow at the Reșița and Slatina plants. Even though the technology currently used by Artrom in this respect allows the recycling of ferrous waste to obtain steel with a low carbon footprint, reducing the environmental impact of this process is considered a priority in the company’s development strategy. To this end, the German supplier Badische Sthal Engeniering, which has contributed to the modernisation of the Reșița steel mill, is carrying out an extensive techno economic study to identify solutions that will form the basis of the company’s future investments in this direction. The project is in line with the terms of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (EU-2001), Goal 1 and 2, on reducing carbon emissions by 25 per cent. Artrom Steel Tubes www.artrom.com

Adrian Popescu, chairman of the board of directors of Artrom Steel Tubes

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July 2024 TUBE PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL