February 15, 2019

Five types of flow meter explained

Being able to measure flow accurately is extremely important to many applications – this is especially true in industrial plants, where it can make a genuine difference to a company’s ability to make a profit. Lacking an understanding of flow can lead to issues not being corrected and the will

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New Sustainability Director Appointment

A new sustainability director has been appointed by global architecture and design firm Perkins+Will in London. Joining the Lodon office is Asif Din who will lead strategic initiatives for sustainable building across the firm’s practice areas, including urban design, architecture, hospitality, and workplace design. He comes to the company with

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SES Wins Contract with Leeds Beckett University

A major M&E contract at Leeds Beckett University has been landed by SES for a new £45 million sports hub. Delivered by contractor Galliford Try, the project will involve building a new state-of-the-art Carnegie Teaching and Research Building, which will house the Carnegie School of Sport, located at the Headingley campus. SES

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Construction Begins on Paddington Hotel

McAleer & Rushe has secured the contract for the new £82 million hotel and aparthotel development in Paddington, with construction work due to begin shortly. The new 620-room development is the final stage of the Paddington Basin Masterplan. The development will be built on an existing two-storey basement and feature

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Issue 323 : Dec 2024

February 15, 2019

Five types of flow meter explained

Being able to measure flow accurately is extremely important to many applications – this is especially true in industrial plants, where it can make a genuine difference to a company’s ability to make a profit. Lacking an understanding of flow can lead to issues not being corrected and the will impact an organisation’s bottom line. To measure flow, you need an instrument known as a flow meter. These devices are mused to measure either the volumetric or mass flow rate, or the amount of fluid passing through a pipe. Flow meters are used in a variety of different applications in measuring their volumetric flowrate or their mess flowrate. The actual application defines the type of capacity of the flow meter; both liquids and gases are measured in terms of volumetric and mass flowrate. There are actually many different types of flow meter, and the one that you need depends entirely on the application that you want to use it for. In this article we take a look at five of the common types of flow meter to understand their applications. Differential pressure flow meter One of the more common forms of flow meter found in applications around the world, differential pressure flow meters are often used in the oil and gas industries. They also have applications in everything from HVAC and pharmaceuticals to mining, paper and chemical production – their uses are clearly extremely wide. These meters measure the differential pressure across an orifice where the flow is related directly to the square root of the differential pressure that is being produced. The meters work with two elements: primary and secondary. The primary element produces a change in kinetic energy either through a flow nozzle, an orifice plate or a venturi flow meter. The secondary element is used to measure the differential pressure and then provide the signal. Positive displacement flow meter Positive displacement (PD) flow meters are well known for being extremely accurate. This means that they have a range of uses in the transferring of oil and other fluids such as gasoline and hydraulic fluid. They even have use around the house with applications in water and gas. PD flow meters are used to measure a volume filled with fluid, deliver it and then fill it again. This allows the meter to calculate the amount of fluid that has been transferred. The majority of forms of flow meter measure some sort of parameter and convert the value into a flowrate – PD flow meters actually measures the flow of the fluid. Some of the meters include piston meters, nutating disk metres and rotary vane type meters.   Velocity flow meter Another common form of flow meter is the velocity flow meter. These instruments are used to measure the velocity of the stream in order to calculate the volumetric flowrate. Velocity flow meters are less sensitive when the Reynolds number of the fluid is higher than 10,000. Some examples of velocity flow meters include electromagnetic and sonic/ultrasonic, turbine, paddlewheel and vortex shedding flow meters. Mass flow meter Mass flow meters measure the force resulting from mass accelerating through a pipe, this means that they are most effective in mass-related processes. They work by measuring the force of mass moving per a unit of time, rather than volume per a unit of time. Common forms of mass flow meters include thermal dispersion meters and Coriolis mass meters. Many of the major applications for mass flow meters are related to chemical processes. They are often found in the gas and chemical industries, as well as throughout power, pharmaceuticals, waste water and mining. Open channel flow meter Finally, we come to the measurement of liquid in open channels. This occurs in v-notch, weirds and flumes. They allow for a concentrated or a limited free-flow of liquid depending on the shape of the structure. Some of the most common applications for open channel flow meters include measuring free-flowing liquids such as those found in rivers, streams or sewers. Image courtesy of: Applications Engineering

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ARENA GROUP SUPPORTS ASPIRING ARCHITECTS IN THE VIRGIN MONEY LONDON MARATHON MILE MARKER COMPETITION

Arena Group is thrilled to support a new initiative lead by the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust and London Marathon Events Ltd with a competition for aspiring young architects to design the Mile 18 marker for the 2019 Virgin Money London Marathon on Sunday, 28 April. On the evening of 7 February 2019, the winning team were revealed at the Stephen Lawrence Centre in South London: Ayanna Blair-Ford, Shreeya Radia and Quincy Haynes – all Part 1 graduates from separate London architecture practices. The design, which celebrates the life and legacy of Stephen Lawrence, who was 18 when he died, will form an inspiring focal point for runners and spectators during the marathon. The competition has provided a rare opportunity for young architects to have their design built and seen by the 41,000 runners in the marathon and millions more around the world watching the race on television. The competition also reflects Stephen’s own aspiration to pursue a career in architecture as well as his love of running – he was a member of the Cambridge Harriers running club, and competed in the Mini London Marathon in 1988. Before submitting their final designs, ten shortlisted teams were invited to the Arena workshop in St Ives, Cambridgeshire to observe how the marker is constructed, and to demonstrate the need to be practical with their design concepts. For over two decades, Arena Project Director, Martin Clark has supported the Marathon with temporary structures, as well as seating for the start and finish lines. He was also invited to be part of the competition judging panel, alongside Baroness Lawrence, representatives from London Marathon Events Ltd, and the Trust’s architecture advisory board. “We are delighted to have supported the London Marathon event for 24 years. It is one of my favourite events to deliver,” said Clark, who has spent over 30 years working at Arena Group. “We organise a skilled team to tackle the logistical challenges of installing over 50 structures in just 48 hours before the event and removing them only several hours after the runners have passed, which is a pretty impressive accomplishment given we are working in the City of London, alongside open roads. “This year is very special and significant. The #BecauseOfStephenWeCan Mile Marker is going to look awesome and we can’t wait to build it with the winning designers!”   Clark adds: “We are so proud to be partnering with the Trust, London Marathon Events and the winning team. Together we will be a real driving force behind this inspiring and ground-breaking initiative. “We feel incredibly privileged to be part of the competition and to have responsibility for overseeing the build and delivering the Marathon Mile 18 marker with the winning team.” The winning concept was praised for the creative way it celebrates the life and legacy of Stephen Lawrence, and will form an inspiring focal point for runners and spectators on the day of the event. The Mile 18 marker will incorporate brightly coloured plaques with quotes from young people describing the personal impact that Stephen Lawrence’s life and legacy has had on them. The structure will also project a mix of music and brief audio clips of people describing Stephen’s impact. The design is also being developed to ensure that it meets health and safety requirements which is crucial for such a major sporting event. Quincy Haynes, a member of the winning team, said “We wanted our design to acknowledge the tragedy of Stephen’s death, but also to celebrate his legacy and the work of the Trust. We are incredibly excited to see it built and hope that it will motivate runners as they reach one of the toughest miles of the Marathon.” The winners will return to the Arena workshop next week to undertake a working at height training course so they can assist with the build, and to support their career portfolio. The shortlisted designs are currently on display in a public exhibition at the Stephen Lawrence Centre until Friday, 15 February 2019.

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Dealing With Hazardous Waste: A Constant Battle In Construction & How Technology Can Combat It

For eager and entrepreneurs and potential investors the construction industry has never been more profitable, and with more demand for better infrastructure in cities with growing populations, the number of firms working in the UK has been rising according to the Office of National Statistics. A significant increase of 6.2% in 2017 was recorded, meaning that there were 314,590 active in the UK. With increased earnings, the rising value of new construction orders and highest level of employment to record the numbers sound evermore impressing. The industry does encounter some downfall however, even with these numbers, the delivery from the client can be impacted. A whole development plan can need changing if there are hazardous materials detected on building sites. This costs the business time and money, which might not be an option for them. Environmental consultants are now being invested in by construction developers as they realise that this type of waste needs to detected early and removed as soon as possible. Hazardous waste, what is it and how can you handle it? Hazardous waste is when it contains harmful substances to human health or the environment, even if it does not have an immediate effect states The Health and Safety Executive. Whether the business is a producer, carrier, consignee or holder they’re responsible for handling the hazardous waste. The most common types of hazardous waste are: Asbestos Chemicals Batteries Solvents Pesticides Oils Various equipment that include ozone depleting substances and general hazardous waste containers — which can be quite common in construction. Excavated soil or demolition materials contaminated with any of the above The above hazardous substances can come in solid, vapour, micro-organisms, liquid and gas forms. Some of the substances can appear in more than one of these forms at the same time, therefore businesses handling these must be properly equipped to do so. Each year globally, we produce 400 million tonnes of hazardous waste, that’s around 13 tonnes every second. This figure has increased massively over the years and businesses are pressured by the governments around the world to ensure they keep their waste levels to a minimum through The Waste Hierarchy, which is to prevent, reuse, recycle, or recover waste in that specific order. General waste and hazardous waste must be stored differently, with security, safety and environmental protection being the main focuses. A good understanding of Hazardous properties such as flammable, ecotoxic, explosive and carinogenic are important to allow you to segregate or store wastes properly with the security, environmental protection and safety in mind. Making sure that your waste is labelled appropriately so there’s no mix up in identifying it and making it secure is key. This prevents your construction site from contamination and waterproof covers are also recommended to make sure there are no waste run offs to contaminate other areas. Records must be kept so that everything is accounted for alongside taking the correct physical precautions. You must fill out a consignment note before your waste management company comes for collection, this is required when: Collections from businesses that are registered waste carriers. Movements from one premises to another within the same organisation. When another business has produced waste, movements from customer premises. The consignment note is not needed when: The movement of domestic hazardous waste – other than asbestos. Waste has been imported and exported under international waste shipment controls that require a different movement note. All this paperwork should be kept on file, in some cases for several years. EA (in England and Wales) and SEPA (in Scotland) deal slightly differently with Hazardous wastes. Development projects require a lot of thinking when it comes to hazardous waste. Making sure you’re well prepared for your next build by analysing the site you’ll be working on before getting plans put in place or having environmental consultants in is a necessity. Sources: https://www.gov.uk/managing-your-waste-an-overview http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/healthrisks/hazardous-substances/key-points.htm https://www.gov.uk/dispose-hazardous-waste https://www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/constructionindustry/articles/constructionstatistics/number192018edition http://www.theworldcounts.com/counters/waste_pollution_facts/hazardous_waste_statistics

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New Sustainability Director Appointment

A new sustainability director has been appointed by global architecture and design firm Perkins+Will in London. Joining the Lodon office is Asif Din who will lead strategic initiatives for sustainable building across the firm’s practice areas, including urban design, architecture, hospitality, and workplace design. He comes to the company with over 20 years of experience working on a number of PassivHaus and Zero Energy Developments. “As a practising architect and environmental expert, Asif joins Perkins+Will at a time of growing global demand for leadership in sustainable design that looks at the entire lifecycle of a building. We are excited for our sustainability initiatives to have a strong director at their helm. Asif is perfect for the newly created Sustainability Director position, and I look forward to working with him to create designs that are economically and environmentally resilient, built to last, and focus on the occupants’ experience,” said Steven Charlton, managing director of Perkins+Will’s London studio. Asif Din also commented on his appointment: “It is imperative that the architecture profession takes a proactive, not reactive, approach to tackling the realities of climate change through building design. I’m excited to join Perkins+Will to explore the range of sustainability opportunities in the London office, while also engaging with the firm’s breadth of research and expertise at a global level.” This appointment supports the recent announcement by the Mayor of London to make the capital a zero-carbon city and at least 50 per cent green by 2050.

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SES Wins Contract with Leeds Beckett University

A major M&E contract at Leeds Beckett University has been landed by SES for a new £45 million sports hub. Delivered by contractor Galliford Try, the project will involve building a new state-of-the-art Carnegie Teaching and Research Building, which will house the Carnegie School of Sport, located at the Headingley campus. SES will design and install a full range of building services on the development, which will include a hypoxic laboratory, a health and wellbeing studio, an indoor 60m sprint track for performance training and analysis, a roof walker track and terrace, and an enhanced strength and conditioning space as well as changing and recovery facilities. “Having recently had the privilege of working with Galliford Try on a number of complex higher education facilities, such as the award-winning refurbishment of the University of Leeds’ world-class School of Chemical and Process Engineering, we have amassed a great deal of knowledge and experience of the sector,” said SES business director North and Scotland, Steve Joyce. “To be involved with such an innovative building as the Carnegie Teaching and Research Building further cements our excellent working relationship with the contractor. It also presents a further opportunity for SES to demonstrate its BIM Level 2 experience to great effect,” added Steve. The Carnegie Teaching and Research Building is scheduled for completion in Autumn 2019.

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Construction Begins on Paddington Hotel

McAleer & Rushe has secured the contract for the new £82 million hotel and aparthotel development in Paddington, with construction work due to begin shortly. The new 620-room development is the final stage of the Paddington Basin Masterplan. The development will be built on an existing two-storey basement and feature a 373-bed Premier Inn and a 247-bed Staycity aparthotel across 19 floors. The development will also deliver 27,000 square feet of social and community floorspace. “We are looking forward to working as development partners with Concierge 3 and all shareholders in delivering this exciting project within the wider Paddington regeneration masterplan. Our experience in delivering high quality mixed-use buildings will ensure this project is a real success and is currently our second major development in Paddington Basin,” said Emmett McGinley, Commercial Director, McAleer & Rushe Contracts UK. Led by developer Concierge 3, a consortium of BSW Land & Property, Staycity and The Pickstock Group, the scheme is the final stage of the Paddington Basin Masterplan and part of a wider investment which has seen new offices, shops, homes and leisure facilities being built over the last number of years revitalising this unique location. The new hotel-aparthotel hybrid will open its doors in late Summer 2021.

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Energy use and winter farming – could LPG be a suitable alternative?

If you’re involved in a farming operation, then you’ll be aware of just how much energy is needed to maintain a living.  Whether it’s tractor use, ensuring the needs of livestock are met, or heating any number of crop stores – all are extremely energy-intensive. The predicament can be even more critical during the autumn and winter months, when harsh conditions make it more difficult for farmers to harvest, package and distribute produce. Add this to the challenges that come with heating rural, remote and off-grid agricultural locations (traditionally served by inefficient fuels like oil), and a farm’s energy supply can become quite problematic. For farmers looking for a greener, cheaper and more effective off-grid fuel solution that’s reliable even in colder seasons, LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) could be an alternative.  LPG has increasingly become a go-to for farmers looking to meet ongoing heating or operational needs without compromising on outputs and the quality of their end product – or becoming dependent on an expensive alternative fuel. Farming and off-grid use Available in gas cylinder and bulk form, LPG provides an alternative to oil and solid fuels for off-grid agricultural use. It can be used for heating or transport in all types of farming processes, and delivers a range of operational and environmental benefits. From dairy processing and poultry rearing right though to maintaining the perfect temperature for crop drying (or even propane enrichment of biomethane in anaerobic digestion plants), farmers have turned to LPG for its cleaner, more cost-effective and easily-controllable capabilities. For farmers looking to understand the benefits of LPG, here is advice on how gas can become an essential part of efficient farming in the winter months: 1.     Livestock and energy usage Whether it be barn ventilation, lights, supplying food and water or manure handling, poultry cultivation requires a huge amount of energy. For birds and livestock, a constant heat supply is crucial to their survival – especially during colder seasons. By choosing LPG, farmers and animals can potentially benefit from: –     An efficient and cleaner-burning fuel, LPG reduces the risk of contamination within livestock (through feeds and litter) – ensuring that animals are kept as safe as possible. –     The moisture produced by LPG heating is the perfect level to promote speedy feathering and weight gain amongst poultry. –     Choosing an LPG supplier with a national supply network means deliveries can be made quickly and efficiently, keeping birds warm all-year round. 2.     Weighing up the green benefits For farmers looking for greener ways of working, LPG can offer environmental benefits. It’s a lower-carbon alternative to conventional fossil fuels, cutting carbon emissions by approximately 15 % compared to heating oil (and 33% compared to coal). It also doesn’t produce black carbon – which is a major contributor to climate change.  As a transport fuel for tractors or other farming machinery, it’s also estimated that LPG (or propane) produces up to 24% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than gasoline, and 11% fewer emissions than diesel engines. Not only that, but the risk to the local environment is also kept to a minimum, as propane is non-toxic – providing a cleaner, greener, and cost-effective fuel solution for all kinds of farming uses. 3.     When heating is needed for horticulture Maintaining constant temperatures for commercially grown plants and flowers is crucial to securing profits. When temperatures begin to drop, plants are naturally at greater risk of being damaged by frost, so it’s important to have the right heating system in place. LPG, as opposed to other off-grid options like oil, allows plant growers to benefit from a cleaner burning fuel, ensuring crops remain free from contamination. Depending on the size of the operation, farmers can also choose between an LPG gas bottle (which can easily be handled and lifted) and LPG gas tanks (which can be topped up automatically), meaning an energy system that delivers a constant heat supply for horticulture. 4.     Using LPG to dry crops and grains When it comes to drying crops and grains, an LPG system can be a huge commodity to farmers looking to dry their produce quickly. As a highly controllable source of fuel, LPG makes for a more precise drying process, allowing farmers to maintain ideal levels of moisture without over-drying. The result is quicker drying all round, whilst also enabling farmers to preserve the quality of their crops, and ensure that the final product meets market specification. Additionally, with LPG grain drying technology, there’s the potential to recycle heated air, providing an even more efficient way to dry grain, without increasing fuel consumption. Sources  https://lpg-apps.org/index.php?mact=LPGApi,cntnt01,application,0&cntnt01application_id=16&cntnt01returnid=17&cntnt01sector_id=2&cntnt01subsector_id=24   https://www.flogas.co.uk/business-lpg-farming#lpg-supply-options-41 Gas for Off-grid Britain’ Report, UKLPG, https://www.uklpg.org/resources/gas-for-off-grid-britain Gas for Off-grid Britain’ Report, UKLPG, https://www.uklpg.org/resources/gas-for-off-grid-britain   https://www.smithgas.com/propane-uses-in-agriculture

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