The Monitor

Production Process Insights

Maximizing Cycle Chemistry with Smart Analyzer Alarms

Posted by John Powalisz on 3/9/22 8:15 AM

In a steam and water analysis system (SWAS), alarms can frequently turn into a nuisance for operations and maintenance personnel. Over time, plant personnel can become desensitized, leading them to distrust analyzer data or not act when chemistry events arise. This can leave a power plant vulnerable to chemistry-related failures that could cause downtime and negatively impact production. Smart alarms help address these issues by monitoring cycle chemistry, identifying chemistry events in real-time, and allowing chemists to take proper actions to correct conditions. These smart analyzer alarms help steam and water operators improve their response time to critical chemistry events.

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Employee-Owner Profiles - Devin Draeger

Posted by Sentry Equipment on 3/2/22 2:00 PM

When he was a kid, Devin Draeger was fascinated with building computers. So, it makes sense that he chose a career that led him to work with computers every day. The path to this career may not have been direct, but since starting at Sentry Equipment over 16 years ago, Devin's proud of the support he's received from his team after transitioning out of active military duty.

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Topics: Company News, Any Application

Optimize Lithium Mining Processes with Automatic Sampling

Posted by Nate Leonard on 2/16/22 8:00 AM

The demand for lithium – sometimes known as “white gold” – is predicted to remain strong, as it’s increasingly used in electronics and electric vehicles. This makes it important to establish a reliable automatic sampling system in your mining operation to ensure you’re consistently producing high-quality lithium.

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Topics: Mining, Solids & Powder, Liquid & Slurry

How to Prevent Corrosion with Sour Water Sampling

Posted by Horacio Salinas, Jr. on 2/7/22 8:00 AM


Modern refinery operations process an incoming crude oil stream into multiple high-value product streams, some needing additional processing. Both high-value and byproduct streams require periodic sampling to ensure that the refinery processes operate within specified parameters. Due to the processes' often high pressure and chemical nature, obtaining a representative sample safely is essential.

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Topics: Downstream, Upstream & Midstream

Monitoring Cooling Water Systems to Improve Plant Performance

Posted by Jeff McKinney on 2/1/22 8:00 AM

Many plants in various industries include processes where the product stream must be heated, cooled – or both – to facilitate production. These plants often use heat exchangers or sample coolers with recirculating cooling water systems.

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Topics: Power, Steam & Water

Employee-Owner Profiles - Adam Scott

Posted by Sentry Equipment on 1/26/22 8:00 AM

When Adam Scott interviewed for a job as a welder at Sentry Equipment, he was immediately impressed by the employee-ownership business model. More than six years later, he knows he made the right decision to join Sentry.

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Topics: Company News, Any Application

5 Key Sampling Locations in Co-Generation Plants

Posted by Jeff McKinney on 1/20/22 8:00 AM

Oversimplifying or ignoring steam and water sampling in combined steam and power plants can lead to significant problems, including operator error, equipment damage, injuries to personnel, and incomplete or inefficient power production. By following these five key sampling locations in your industrial steam system, you can ensure reliable steam production. 

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Topics: Power, Steam & Water

How to Maintain Recipe Control with the Sentry SBC Controller

Posted by George Buss on 12/13/21 8:00 AM

Production of bulk solid materials is dependent on expensive capital equipment, often optimized to produce multiple products on the same line. These systems can make numerous products, including varying particle sizes, dimensions, and other characteristics. Maintaining these products is made simple with recipe control found in the Sentry SBC Controller.

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Topics: Food & Beverage, Solids & Powder

Smart Cycle Chemistry Alarms Optimize Power Plant Processes

Posted by Sentry Equipment on 12/6/21 8:00 AM

The utility industry significantly contributes to the stability of the US and global economy and infrastructure. Given the stringent regulations plants must meet, it’s essential to prevent major chemical events to ensure dependable and safe power production. One way to support this production is by using smart cycle chemistry alarms.

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Topics: Power, Steam & Water

Why is Sampling Renewable Hydrocarbon Biofuels Important?

Posted by Horacio Salinas, Jr. on 11/17/21 8:00 AM

Renewable hydrocarbon biofuels are fuels produced from biomass sources, such as vegetable oils, animal fats, or specialized crops. These products are chemically identical to standard petroleum-based products and can be used in existing engines and infrastructure. Because of this, these biofuels require stringent testing similar to petroleum-based products.

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Topics: Downstream, Upstream & Midstream, Liquid & Slurry, Gas