Australia : Large Calciners for Alcan Gove Alumina Refinery

Finland -- Outokumpu Technology has been awarded a contract for the Alcan Gove Third Stage Expansion Project by Alcan Gove Development Pty Limited, a 100 percent owned subsidiary of Alcan Inc. The contract value is approximately EUR 26 million.  The contract includes the engineering design of three new calciners each with an output of 3,500 tonne alumina per day.

Photo Caption:  John Taylor of Outokumpu Technology (left) shaking hands with Rolf Scherrer, Alcan Project Director, Gove Refinery Stage 3 Expansion Project.

In addition to the design and delivery of special equipment, Outokumpu Technology will also provide advisory service for the fabrication, pre-assembly, erection and commissioning of the two calciners that will be installed in this phase of the Alcan project.

This project will be the first in the alumina industry to make full use of the “Pre-Assembled Module” (PAM) concept, according to which the equipment is brought to the site in the largest possible modules. Each calciner will be pre-assembled in South East Asia in two modules and shipped to the Gove site in Australia. Each module will include structural steel, mechanical equipment, refractory lining, insulation, vessels, piping, electrical and instrumentation. The larger module will be approximately 22.5 m long, 20.5 m wide and 34 m high with a weight of 1,750 tonnes.

This order is already the second order for alumina calciners that has been granted to Outokumpu Technology in 2005 and it further supports Outokumpu’s global leading position in the alumina calcining technology.

For additional information please contact:
Dr. Michael Stroder
Outokumpu Technology GmbH
Telephone +49 6071 9693 223
Email: michael.stroeder@outokumpu.com
Web site: http://www.outokumpu.com/

Free : "Innovations in Pharmaceutical Processing" Seminars

PITMAN, NJ -- The K-Tron Feeder Group has recently announced its collaboration with five other key suppliers of equipment and instrumentation to the pharmaceutical industry through the presentation of a one-day technical seminar to be offered at varying times and locations throughout 2005. Seminar dates and locations are:

-Conshohocken, PA - June 27, 2005 at The Hilton
-Rosemont, IL - September 27, 2005 at Embassy Suites O’Hare
-Research Triangle Park, NC - November 14, 2005 at Marriott Research Triangle Park

The free one-day event will include detailed process and analytical information about key topics and trends in the pharmaceutical processing industry. Presenters include Malvern Process Systems, Howorth Pharma, Leistritz, Heinkel Centrifuge, JetPharma Group and K-Tron Feeder Group. Topics to be presented include:

• “Integrating The Most Efficient Feeder Technology For Your Continuous And Batch Processing”

• “Current Advances In Micronization From The End-User And Manufacturer’s Point of View Including Cryogenic Micronization Techniques”

• “On Line Particle Size Analysis And Control For Process Uniformity And Quality”

• “High Potency Containment Solutions Including Glove Boxes/Isolators, Down Flow And Laminar Flow Booths”

• “Continuous Pharmaceutical Processing Via Twin Screw Extrusion For Controlled Solid Dosage Release Forms”

• “High Containment Centrifuge Dryers…A Solution To Exposure Problems Associated With Separate Centrifuges And Dryers”

The presenters are represented by some of the top process experts in the industry including:

Jet Pharma Group – specializing in three complimentary and synergistic activities: contract micronization, research/development , manufacturing and sale of fluid bed jet mills, and a new center of excellence for process containment and barrier isolation solutions

Howorth Pharma – specializing in the design of high quality powder handling and process containment equipment including glove box isolators and pack out solutions for the global pharmaceutical industry

Malvern Process Systems – specializing in particle characterization, with analyzer solutions for both online real time process measurement and off-line for the laboratory

Leistritz – specializing in GMP twin screw extruders and systems for continuous twin screw extrusion processing, as well as mixing/solvent extraction, wet granulation, pelletization, transdermal/dissolvable films, and shape extraction.

K-Tron Feeder Group– specializing for over 50 years in high accuracy feeding and metering of pharmaceutical processes. Product lies include loss in weight and volumetric feeders as well as vacuum conveying equipment in sanitary design.

For additional information or to register for the free event scheduled in your area, call K-Tron Marketing at 800-203-5775, register online at www.ktron.com/seminar or email info@ktron.com

http://www.ktron.com/News/Seminars/PharmaSeminars05.cfm

Thompson Scale : Offers Entry-Level Checkweighers

HOUSTON, TX -- Thompson Scale Company, a leader in checkweighing systems, packaging machinery controls, and custom production scales, announced today the release of newly reengineered versions of its intermediate, and heavy-duty checkweighers. These checkweighers supply quick and accurate weighments to effectively provide quality control in production facilities over a wide variety of industries.

Thompson Scale’s entry-level checkweighers are essentially the same physical design as the standard versions. The controllers are also similar; the main difference is that the programming of the controls is more basic. This simplified functionality does not diminish the value of the equipment as a source of quality control. These models are simply scaled back to provide only the basic functions required to do the job. The entry-level checkweighers offer a more economical solution to companies that otherwise may not be able to fit a checkweigher into their budget.

While only allowing basic functionality, these checkweighers can still have a huge impact on a plant’s quality control process by providing timely and accurate product weight data. The 5297 Controllers for these checkweighers simply exclude some of the more advanced features that the standard models come with such as statistical reporting and various display capabilities. For manufacturing or packaging plants that do not require these additional features, the entry-level checkweighers are a good fit.

The 5297 Controllers hold a single product recipe in memory and display useful information on production as each unit crosses the scale. The display includes three weight zones for statistics such as last unit weight, gross or net, weight conversion, target weight, mean unit weight, total accumulated weight, total accumulated units, and units per minute. Each controller also offers English and Spanish menus in full sentences for better comprehension.

A major benefit of the controllers used is that the system can be easily upgraded if needed. Users can simply order a 4693 Controller upgrade consisting of additional controller cards to receive the full functionality. The installation can be done in-house by anyone with basic technical skills. They just have to switch out the controller’s door, change the CPU with an upgraded program, and they are ready to run the checkweigher.

These checkweighers are simple, easy to use, rugged, yet highly accurate production scales. The intermediate checkweighers handle products in the 0.5 kg – 50 kg range, while the heavy-duty versions can weigh items from 10 lbs. to 200 lbs. with ease. Designed for a variety of different environments, they are capable of handling almost any challenge. Examples of containers that can be weighed are boxes, cans, bottles, pails, rigid shrink-wrapped packages, or flexible packages. Items compatible with the checkweighers include paints, adhesives, chemicals, bagged or boxed sugars, insecticides, fertilizers, and caustic products.

Unlike other in-motion scales, neither of these models require the use of photo-eyes (in most cases) to detect the presence of a package crossing the scale. This is another unique aspect of these checkweighers. This feature eliminates the costs and problems (such as downtime, unweighed product, or incomplete weigh data) that are associated with dirty or misaligned photo-eye sensors.

The entry-level model checkweighers are available now. For more information, call 713/932-9071 or visit our website at http://www.thompsonscale.com

Vancouver, WA -- The new fork-style pallet dispenser/stacker from Columbia Machine requires little or no adjusting to accommodate a wide range of pallet sizes.

This rugged unit uses pneumatically operated carriage lift and forks to allow pallet dispensing and/or stacking at rates up to three pallets per minute. Combined with its versatility and ease of adjustment, the machine helps to increase overall pallet-handling efficiency.

Columbia's fork-style pallet dispenser also features heavy-duty rollers and welded construction throughout to provide long life with minimal maintenance. It can be purchased as a stand-alone unit or integrated as part of a complete Columbia palletizing system.

For more than 60 years, Columbia Machine has manufactured high-level, floor-level, and robotic palletizers and accessories in the USA. They feature rugged construction, setup flexibility, upgradeable designs and speeds ranging from 10 to 200 CPM. All Columbia palletizers are backed by 24-hour customer support and parts service.

Columbia Machine Inc.
107-T Grand Blvd., P.O. Box 8950
Vancouver, WA 98661
Phone: 800-628-4065
Fax: 360-695-7517
Web site: http://www.columbiamachine.com/

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Call For "Packaging Hall Of Fame" Nominations The Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute (PMMI) is issuing a call for nominations for the Packaging Hall of Fame.

Hygienic Vacuum Conveyor Safely Moves Powder
PIAB Vacuum Conveyors offers its C-33 vacuum conveyor as an ideal solution for eliminating dust during tablet press loading applications

Free Demo : Take Control of Your Maintenance Department You’ll have your maintenance department up and running with COGZ in days not months.

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Seeking a Sales Engineer - Midwest Territory

Micromeritics Instrument Corporation in Norcross, GA is a pioneer in the field of particle technology as well as a leading manufacturer of analytical instrument and services.

We are seeking a Sales Engineer to maintain and grow the customer base within the Midwest territory by providing solutions to our customer's analytical testing problems. The territory will include ND, SD, NE, KS, MN, IA, MO, WI, IL, IN, parts of Northern MI & parts of Western KY. The ideal candidate will be based within a two hour drive of the Chicago area.

Requirements include a BS in chemistry, chemical engineering or physics or education/experience equivalent and two to five years of sales experience working with a complex sales cycle and selling capital equipment/lab instruments. This position requires a broad knowledge of technical scientific products and marketing techniques. A professional image along with strong interpersonal, problem solving, and conflict resolution skills is essential. Strong verbal, written, and presentation skills are fundamental as is an ability to manage multiple projects. Intermediate PC skills and the ability to lift up to 120 pounds are required.

If you are an energetic individual capable of working independently with a broad base of people at all levels within an organization, then Micromeritics is interested in speaking with you!

We provide a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental, life and disability coverage, as will as flexible spending accounts, 401k plan, and paid time off.

If you truly meet the requirements listed above, please forward your resume and salary history to: jobs@micromeritics.com or fax to: (770) 662-3621.  Web site: http://www.micromeritics.com/

EOE M/F/H/V
**Submissions without salary history will not be considered**

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© 1999-2005 Powder and Bulk Dot Com
Home page:  http://www.powderandbulk.com/

Joseph Taylor, Editor
Powder and Bulk Dot Com Newsletter
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Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250

Phone: 904-280-4656
Fax: 904-273-1399

Email:  jtaylor@powderandbulk.com

Powder and Bulk Dot Com's Newsletter is a 100% opt-in e-mail list of information for the materials handling professional.  Do you have company news, a new product, new service or other information you would like to share with our subscribers?  Please submit articles via e-mail, only to: news@powderandbulk.com

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Happy New Year,
Joe Taylor, Editor
jtaylor@powderandbulk.com

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Characterization of Powders and Aerosols
by Brian H. Kaye
Hardcover: 312 pages, January 1999

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Pharmaceutical Packaging Technology
by D. A. Dean, et al (Editors)
Hardcover, 664 pages, November 2000

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Scaleup and Design of Industrial Mixing Processes
by Gary Benjamin Tatterson
Hardcover, 392 pages, April 2003

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This week's homepage photo is of a Columbia-TecTank bolted-steel silo for sulphur storage in an aluminum plant located in Qatar. Columbian TecTank manufacturers bolted tanks and shop-welded tanks in coated carbon steel, aluminum and stainless steel.

Photo courtesy of Mr. Tom Renich of Columbian TecTank

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