Richards Bay Technology Day
The Technology Day was held on the 19 October at the Richards Bay Country Club. The event was sponsored by ICA, Vega, ABB, Throughput Technologies and Schneider. A different format from the Technology Evenings was used to accommodate a number of presenters and at the same time afford these presenters the opportunity to market their products. The sponsors were offered tables where they could set up their equipment for exhibition, while the presentations were held in a separate auditorium.
The event was opened by the SAIMC president, Johan Maartens, who spoke about the changes happening around the council for the built environment (CBE) in terms of the certification for the various professional categories. Johan explained that the key proposal in the draft was for the six professionals councils within the Built Environment to be rationalised into a single ‘Super Council’ to be known as the South African Council for the Built Environment (SACBE). The existing statutory bodies will be converted to ‘Boards’ under the SACBE.
Of interest is the compulsory registration for all professionals intending to practice within the Built environment Professions. Registration in terms of the Act will in turn require that the professional hold the relevant qualifications as prescribed by the Minister in consultation with the professional board in question and that he or she undergoes relevant practical training and examination in addition to academic qualification. Johan emphasised that all professionals that can register with ECSA should do so now, as there will be pandemonium should the proposed changes are passed into law.
ICA-Yokogawa – presenter: Johan VD Westhuizen
Topic: Field wireless solutions
Yokogawa was first to present and covered field wireless solutions, which is creating quite a buzz in industry. Many wired instruments are now being replaced by wireless, which is rapidly gaining acceptance. Johan spoke about the different topologies and ranges applicable and he also touched on the various wireless standards, including ISA100.11a and WirelessHart.
Schneider Electric – presenter: Pumeza Tshangela
Topic: Solar PV application
The drive for clean energy has pushed many companies to focus on renewable sources like solar and wind. Pumeza gave insight into South Africa’s targets for clean energy over the next 5-10 years. She explained the concepts of PV Box, a pre-wired equipment package designed to meet growing demands of large scale grid-tie solar farms and commercial rooftop solar installations. It is a complete solution for electrical distribution, automation, security, monitoring and control. The contents of a PV Box includes Xantrex solar inverters, DC combiner boxes, step-up transformers and a medium voltage switch housed in a prefabricated building. The benefits and practical applications were explained.
ABB – presenter: Steve Slater
Topic: Various flowmeters and their principles of operation
Steve spoke about the various types of flow meters in terms of their principles of operation as well as applications. The most important thing, Steve stressed, is the selection of the right flowmeter for the job. He talked about the advantages as well as the limitations of the different types.
Vega – presenter: Clint Viviers
Topic: Radiation based measurement
Clint started by explaining that radiation based measurement using gamma rays delivers precise and reliable results even in the most difficult applications. The emitted gamma rays are damped when penetrating the medium, so the detector receiving the rays at the opposite side of the vessel can calculate a measured value from their strength. Of importance was the safety aspect when handling the radiation based isotopes which are normally specified according to their half life. Clint also touched on the advantages and disadvantages of various radiation based measurements.
Throughput Technologies – presenter: Lance Maclean
Topic: Fibre optics
Lance began by explaining what optical fibre and the different types (single and multimode) and distances that can be covered by each type, as well as the advantages. He then explained the principle of operation of each type and the theory of light refraction. He also spoke about the various tools available for faultfinding and splicing, as well as accessories including fibre conversion units, patch and splice boxes. Fibre is now the de facto communication backbone adopted in the process industry after realising after its benefits were realised in the IT and communications.
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