Orange County Section Meeting Challenges in selecting ... · 11 Nano in the News eWeek on PBS 12 -...

February 2007 ISA Newsletters, Southern District 11 1

February 2007

INSIDE THIS ISSUE…

“There is nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come.”

2 - President’s Message 3 - DVP: Do you even care? 4 - Instrumentation 2007

Water/wastewater Panel 5 - Process Analyzer Seminar 6 - LA/OC Christmas Photos 8 - Local Section Meetings 9 - Regional Events 10 - San Diego/LA Events

What is Biotech? 11 Nano in the News

eWeek on PBS 12 - Industry News 13 - Application Notes:

Trouble with Tubing Fittings 14 - Job Shop & Training 15 - Industry News

- Victor Hugo

Utility steam systems provide both heat and in many cases power tomost process facilities. The generation, distribution and control of steamare critical factors in most every process facility. The application of finalcontrol elements in steam systems offers challenges in avoiding the pitfallsof excessive noise, vibration, thermal shock, erosion and poor perfor-mance. This program discusses the selection criteria and application ofcontrol valves and other final control elements like de-superheaters andatmospheric vents. Topics covered include identifying critical controlvalve applications, discussion of sizing and selection parameters, steampressure and temperature control, spray water atomization, pre-heating,and the necessity and location of piping drains. Critical to selecting theright final control element is selecting the right piping location and following installation guidelines.All these challenges will be discussed.

Ory Selzer, Senior Development Engineer for CCI Rancho Santa Margarita,CA is our speaker.“CCI is the world leader in severe service control valvesincorporating almost 200 years of experience with thecombined technology of three world renown companies,CCI DRAG(r) , BTG and Sulzer.” CCI world headquar-ters is located at 22591 Avenida Empresa, Rancho SantaMargarita, CA, 92688. Ory can be reached at (949) 858-1877 or [email protected]: Wednesday, Feb 21, 2007Time: 5:00 Networking; 6:00 ProgramLocation: Fluor, 5211 California Ave, IrvineRSVP: Hiten Dalal (714) 500-1018 [email protected]: CCI , www.ccivalve.com

Orange County Section Meeting

Challenges in selecting controlvalves for process utilitysteam and cogens

Upcoming Regional Events

Instrumentation 2007Training and exposition. Feb 22nd.Carson Civic Center. See page 5 or visitwww.Instrumentation2007.com. State of the Art Instrumentation,Controls, Automation and Training.

Instrument Basic TrainingThur, Feb 22 - Introduction to CCSTThur, Mar 1 - Analyzer Maint & OperThur, Mar 8 - Process Math & SymbolsDetails at www.isala.org

Seminar by Robert Sherman, Irvine,Saturady, Feb 24. See page5 for details.

Process Analyzer SampleSystems Seminar

www.isa.org/~oranc

2 ISA Newsletters, Southern District 11 February 2007

The monthly ISA Section NewslettersISA Section NewslettersISA Section NewslettersISA Section NewslettersISA Section Newsletters and annual Regional Membership Directory and Buyers’ Guide Regional Membership Directory and Buyers’ Guide Regional Membership Directory and Buyers’ Guide Regional Membership Directory and Buyers’ Guide Regional Membership Directory and Buyers’ Guide are mailed to all ISA section members in SouthernCalifornia and Southern Nevada and to ISA student affiliates at Cal Poly Pomona, Cal State Fullterton and Long Beach State. Newsletters include the South San JoaquinValley Alarm, Los Angeles Annunciator, Orange County Chart, San Diego Signal and Las Vegas Experience. Changes of address Changes of address Changes of address Changes of address Changes of address can only be processed by ISA by at(919) 549-8411 or www.isa.org. For editorial submissions and feedback,editorial submissions and feedback,editorial submissions and feedback,editorial submissions and feedback,editorial submissions and feedback, please contact the newsletter editor. Advertising rates, circulation informationAdvertising rates, circulation informationAdvertising rates, circulation informationAdvertising rates, circulation informationAdvertising rates, circulation informationand style guideand style guideand style guideand style guideand style guide is posted at www.TechPubs.net. Billing Billing Billing Billing Billing and publishing correspondence may be addressed to TechPubs Communications, PO Box 1605, CostaMesa, California 92628. Submissions are copyright by the authors with all rights reserved. Copyright (C) 2006 TechPubs Communications. All Rights Reserved.

Orange County SectionOfficers 2006-2007www.isa.org/~oranc/

President’s messageBy Craig Lanternier, Section President○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Craig Lanternier

President — Craig LanternierFluor Enterprises, (949) [email protected]

President Elect — Open

Treasurer — Gautam ParikhFluor Enterprises, (949) [email protected]

Secretary — Jesus MoncayoCoffin World Water Systems(949) 222-5777, ext. [email protected]

Past President — John QueridoJontec Systems, (949) [email protected]

Society Delegate — Sarah SheldonFluor Enterprises, (949) [email protected]

Society Delegate Alternate —Christine DorganDisneyland Scientific Systems(714) [email protected]

Arrangements Chair — Hiten DalalNewtech Resources, (714) [email protected]

Education Chair — John GongICP-DAS USA, Inc., (310) [email protected]

Historian/Honors & Awards Chair —John QueridoJontec Systems, (949) [email protected]

Membership Chair — Don ZeeDon Zee and Associates, (949) [email protected]

Membership Co-Chair — Bis MitraFluor Enterprises, (949) [email protected]

Newsletter Editor — John PrinceAPG Analyzer Systems, (714) [email protected]

Program Chair — Sarah SheldonFluor Enterprises, (949) [email protected]

Publicity Chair — Sebastian ZielonkaFluor Enterprises, (949) [email protected]

Student Section Liaison —Bob HarrisonConex Systems, (714) [email protected]

Webmaster — Bob HarrisonConex Systems, (714) [email protected]

Treasurer’s Report BY 2005-2006Orange County Section

April 4, 2006 Actual Budget

INCOME Arrangements 3,450.00 3,600.00Dues/Mbrshp/Publicity 2,634.48 4,000.00Education 720.00 1,500.00Interest Income - 300.00X-Mas Party - 3,500.00Student Section - 1,000.00Misc. - 250.00TOTAL INCOME $6,606.48 $14,150.00

EXPENSES President’s Budget - 200.00Arrangements 2,645.71 3,500.00Membership/Mkg - 500.00Programs - 400.00Education 527.82 500.00Insurance - 350.00Honors Awards 26.94 200.00Student Competition - 500.00Misc. 100.00 250.00Pres. Meeting 1,838.51 1,500.00Society Delegate 1,401.02 1,500.00Pres. Elect - 1,200.00X-Mas Party 4,121.14 3,500.00District Workshop - 1,000.00Planning Meeting - 100.00Student Section - 250.00Treasurer 38.75 100.00TOTAL EXPENSES $10,699.89 $15,550.00

NET ($4,093.41) ($1,400.00)

Balances: Checking Account: $4,317.59Certificates of Deposit: $43,546.91

PresidentISA Orange County SectionFluor CorporationElectrical & Control Systems(949) [email protected]

District 11 Vice President —Joe BinghamAES Automation, (714) [email protected]

District 11 V Pres Elect — Ray SpanglerCentral Automation, Inc., (661) [email protected]

ISA Staff Contact — Dalton WilsonISA, (919) 990-9280, [email protected]

Happy New Year!Time to re-up that resolution to attend the Orange County Section’s monthly

meetings. Not only will you increase your knowledge of the latest control systemstechnology, it’s also a great chance to network with your peers, customers and clients.January Meeting:

On January 10, we had an excellent presentation by Charlie Black of RKControls on automation over the web. As part of his demonstration on how this ispossible, Charlie logged into his website, where he started, stopped & changed speedsof several variable speed drives located in his training center in Irvine. If you haven’tseen Charlie’s training facility in person, I would urge you to check it out.New Board member positions open:

Just a reminder for those who would like to participate on the OC board, we willbe considering candidates for several openings for next year so if you have an interest to step up your involve-ment to the next level, please let us know.Analyzer Division Symposium

Another reminder for the AD2007 coming up February 24. The focus will be Analyzer Sample Systems.See www.isa.org/~oranc for details.Instrumentation 2007

The Los Angeles Section of ISA is will be hosting their annual training and exhibition on Thursday,February 22, 2007 at the Carson Civic Center. Open free to the public, this highly anticipated event provides agreat way for local industry professionals to meet face to face and access the most up-to-date technologiesSouthern California has to offer. For more details, check out their website at www.instrumentation2007.com.


Message from the DVP

Joe BinghamDistrict Vice-President, District 11, 2006 - 7Chairman, Engineering, Science, & TechnologyPolicy for ISA, 2005-2006Chairman SP - 101, HMI’sMember of the Executive Board of ISA

3D InstrumentsDirect Drive Process and Test Gauges, Digital Processand Test Gauges, Diaphragm Seals, Hand Pumps andThermometers

B S & B Safety SystemsIndustrial & Sanitary Rupture Disks, Explosion Vents,Wireless Sensor Systems, Suppression Systems

Kurz InstrumentsAir & Gas Thermal Mass Flow Meters, Flow Conditioners, CEM Flow Systems, Portable Flow Meters

L & J TechnologiesL&J Technologies(Shand & Jurs - GPE - Omnitrol - Delavan),Tank Gauging Systems, Radar & Servo, Tank Vents, BreatherValves, Gauge Hatches, Flame & Detonation Arrestors/ VaporRecovery, Capacitance and Ultrasonic Level

Meriam Process TechnologiesHART Configurators, Calibrators & Software, Averaging Pitot Tubes, Laminar Flow Elements, Digital Manometers

Moore IndustriesIntelligent Distributed I/O, Alarm Trips, Isolators, Temperature Transmitters, I/P’s, AC Power Transducers,Controllers, Fieldbus Device Couplers and Power Supplies

Sparling InstrumentsMagnetic Flowmeters, P

United Electric ControlsElectronic & Mechanical Switches & TransducersFor Pressure, Differential Pressure & Temperature

ropeller Meters, Vortex Flow Meters, Ultrasonic Flow Meters

Vishay BLHLoad Cells, Electronic Weighing, Tension Measurement,Weight Display and Control

Patten Systems, Inc.Industrial & Municipal Representatives

15201 Springdale Street • Huntington Beach, California 92649

Tel (714) 799-5656 • Fax (714) 799-5353 • www.pattensystems.com

BAKERSFIELD • LAS VEGAS • SAN DIEGO

NuFlo Measurement Systems(Barton & Former Haliburton Measurement Systems)D.P. & Pressure Transmitters, D.P. Indicators & RecordersTurbine Meters, PD Meters, Totalizers, Samplers, OrificeFittings, Relief Valves

NuFloMeasurement Systems

Ronan Display Products DivisionAnnunciators, Mosaic Graphics, Serial AnnunciatorsSequence of Events Recorders, Fault Finders, ProtocolConverters & Lamp Boxes

Honeywell Analytics(Sieger, Zareba & Zellweger)Combustible & Toxic Gas Detectors, IR Gas Detectors,Open Path IR, Controllers & Flame Detection

DISTRIBUTORS FOR:

Here we are in February, which meansthat I have written about a dozen articles asyour DVP. Do you know how many peoplehave responded to them so far? Zero! Thatmeans that I’m either very dull or you are.

How many of you out there even careabout your careers? The AutomationProfession is not as a secure job as you wouldlike to believe. How many times have youhad to argue or deal with the IT folks at theplant floor level? I do it all the time. Some of

my clients are the IT guy’s.Does your company give you the projects that keep you working

with the latest technology? Or, are you still doing valve and orificemeter calculations all day long. Heck, my supplier will do those for mefor free.

Remember people, it’s 2007. Do you have a professionaldevelopment plan? If you do then you are ahead of about 97% of yourcompetition. If not, then do the math, your way behind the curve!

Never fear though, there is still help for you yet. ISA, with it’sfive core competencies coupled with your local section activities willhelp get your career on track! Think of them as your default PDP.

I personally challenge every one of you to better yourself! Makeyourself the Uber Automation Professional.

Remember, networking works best if you start doing it before youneed a job!

“Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration ofvictory. “- General George Patton Jr

As always, please let me know if you like my messages or thinkthat I’m way off track. Also please let me know if you have anyquestions, concerns, comments, etc. You can reach me at 714-625-9021or [email protected] BinghamDistrict Vice-President, District 11, 2006 - 2007Chairman SP – 101, HMI’sMember of the Executive Board of ISA

Do you even care?I care!


The Los Angeles Section of ISA is proud to host the regionalexposition and training event Instrumentation 2007, to be held Thursday,February 22, 2007, at the Carson Civic Center. Formerly the LA Section’sTableTop Show and Short Course, this expanded regional event providesfor face to face meetings and access up-to-date technologies available.

Held at the Carson Civic Center near a number of oil refineries andheavy industry, it is the perfect location to bring end users, manufactur-ers, engineering firms, systems integrators and other industry profession-als together to exchange ideas and see the latest technology.

Practical industry training is a major part of this year’s show. For thelatest info, refer to www.Instrumentation2007.com.1 - Advanced PLC Programming Workshop - Reid Hogue, RockwellExtensive PLC workshop, hands-on with the latest equipment. Not abeginning programming class. Two seats left at press time.For: Technicians, engineers, sales personnel2 - Certified Control Systems Technician - Neil Finch, CCSTIntroduction to the CCST program and how it benefits technicians andtheir employers. Covered will be the exam process, what to study,available courses. CCST offers third-party recognition of technicians’knowledge and skills in automation and control. Advance your career andearn credibility. Managers: use the CCST to qualify your personnel..For: Technicians, supervisors, managers, students.

Instrumentation 2007: training, expo & prizesLos Angeles Section

3 - Technician’s Nightmare: Connecting Field Devices -Keith Riley, GoodrichAll types of devices from different manufacturers will be connected withFieldbus, Modbus, wireless and other technologies in this hands-onworkshop. See if they work together in this real world simulation.For: Technicians, supervisors, engineers, managers, sales personnel4 - Water/Wastewater Panel: Future Challenges and Opportunities.A panel of industry experts lead a discussion about the future. Panelistsare from the LA Sanitation District, Carollo Engineers and Hach Home-land Security. One of the highlights of the day. (See article below.)For: Engineers, technicians, sales & marketing personnel, R&D managers.5 - Instrumentation Jeopardy with Cash PrizesInstrument-related questions will be the center of this fast-action quiz,just like the original game show. Contestants will be chosen from a fishbowl before each of two games. Vic Wegelin will award $400 in cashprizes to the champions. All who enter will receive a prize.For: Anyone who needs moneyFor more information...

For details about Exhibiting or Pre-Registering for the free gift,contact Marie Ackad at (818) 585-2195 or Blanca Mendez at (714) 540-4914 x 207. For Training Events contact Neil Finch [email protected]. More at Instrumentation2007.com.

by Kuronye Roy Jumbo, Carollo Engineers; Thao Le, LosAngeles County Sanitation Districts; and Terry Englehardt,Hach Homeland Security Technologies

This is an introduction to the panel discussion to be held at theCarson Convention Center at Instrumentation 2007 on February 22. Topre-register to attend this discussion, please contact Marie Ackad at(818) 585-2195 or [email protected]. This event is opento all at no cost. Website: www.Instrumentation2007.com.

The panel, moderated by Joan Chang (left) of HachCompany, will touch on the challenges and opportunitiesthat the water/wastewater industry offers for employ-ment and suppliers of equipment and services.

Thao Le, Control Systems Engineer with the LosAngeles County Sanitation District’s Advanced JointWater Pollution Control Plant in Carson (JWPCP), right,

will touch on the progression of their control system network, its currentand future challenges with the plant floor control system. The JWPCPlocated in Carson is the largest wastewater treatment plant of the

Water/Wastewater industry panel to discussopportunities and challenges on Feb 22nd

Continued on page 13

Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County. Thefacility provides both primary and secondarytreatment for approximately 320 millions gallons ofwastewater per day. The control system at the planthas evolved from a traditional DCS architecture to ahybrid DCS/PLCs environment using OPC communi-cation protocol.

“The water/wastewater treat-ment industry is an environmentalindustry in which the involvement of

Control Systems has evolved in its complexity,” saysCarollo Engineers’ Roy Jumbo. “Decades ago, there wereonly instrumentation and manually-operated treatmentfacilities to aid municipal districts provide potablewater and recycled water in compliance with federaland local regulations.”

Today, with the merging of instrumentation andcontrol systems, treatment facilities are becoming more automated andhighly efficient in their provision of compliant effluents. This presenta-

As of January 10, participants in this year’s event include..... Rockwell AllenBradley, Westmark Sales, Honeywell, Kube Engineering, Caltrol,D & D Engineering, Moore Industries-International, Patten Systems, Westlock Controls Corp, Hach Company, cMax-2000 Inc., Blair-MartinCo, Genstar Technologies Company, Jensen Instrument , Signal Enterprises Inc., Central California Instruments, Goodrich, Sierra Monitor,Accurate Measurement Systems, Don Wolf and Associates, McJunkin Corporation, Vossler Co., SCE, Newport Electronics, AdvancedProcess Services, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, AES Automation, Industrial Automation Group, Control Engineering.(Partial list as of January 10)

Thao Le, LosAngeles CountySanitation Districts

Roy Jumbo,Carollo Engineers


So San Joaquin Valley

Call for officernominations

John Sheehan has been elected as thechair of our nominating committee for the2008 ISA Southern San Joaquin ValleySection board of directors. This is one ofthe most active boards in the US andactively supports students in thetechnical fields with their scholarshipprograms. If you are interested in servingon the board, please contact John Sheehanat [email protected].

The Orange County Section and ISAAnalysis Division are presenting anotherexcellent seminar on Process Analyzer SampleSystems, to be held on Saturday, February 24th,2007, from 8am to noon at NEW TECHResources, 2501 Alton Parkway, Irvine. Lunchand a continental breakfast will be served. Formore information, please call JohnGong at (310) 517-9888 x 101 or e-mail to [email protected].

The instructor will be RobertSherman from CIRCOR Int’l Inc.Mr. Sherman is Industry Specialistfor their Instrumentation TechnologyDivision, and has been in his field formore than 35 years. He received hisMSBA in Management Sciences fromIndiana University, and BS/MS in chemistryfrom St. Louis University. Presently, Robertserves as both an ISA Fellow colleague, and anISA subject matter expert in process analyzersample conditioning as well as process analyzerselection.

This seminar will be focused on enablingstudents to understand basic sample condition-ing system principles and to provide anessential component level design in Legacy or

modular format as well as understand thepractical aspects of sample conditioning systemcomponent selection and design.

Seminar topics include comprehending therelationship between process conditions andsample conditioning requirements; choosingLegacy or modular formats and applying them

to your sample conditioning system;and troubleshooting basic processanalyzer sample conditioning systems

Space is limited, please registerNOW!!! Please detach and send inwith your payment. Costs are $20 forISA members; $95 for non-members(includes one year ISA membership -$85 value); $45 for non-members(seminar only); $10 for ISA student

members; and $10 for spouses.Make checks payable to “ISA Orange

County Section” and mail to ISA OrangeCounty Section, 2531 West 237th Street, Suite121, Torrance, CA 90505.

For more information, please call JohnGong at (310) 517-9888 x 101 or e-mail [email protected]. This EducationSeminar is jointly hosted by the Orange CountySection and the ISA Analytical Division.

Orange County Section / Analysis Division Seminar

Process Process Process Process Process Analyzer Sample SystemsAnalyzer Sample SystemsAnalyzer Sample SystemsAnalyzer Sample SystemsAnalyzer Sample Systems


Los Angeles / Orange County Sections Annual Ch

Frank Smith, founder of the Cal Poly Pomona Student Section, receives the JakeGroenewegen Award for Outstanding Service to the ISA Los Angeles Section fromSection President John Prince and Salomon Oldak, Student Advisor to the Cal PolySection. (Photo courtesy of Tom Barker.)

Kim MillerDunn, whowill be theinternationalPresident ofISA beginningin 2008addresses thegathering.

The party was well-attended by the members of both the Orange County (left) and Los Angleles County boards of directory, all of whom workedhard to make this one of the largest events in several years. Sarah Sheldon received the Don Zee Award. (Photos courtesy of Tom Barker.)


ristmas Party and Awards Ceremony!Special thanks to the many generous sponsors for supporting this year’s event, including Advanced Process Services, Blair-Martin Company,Cal Poly Pomona Engineering College, Endress+Hauser, George Fischer Signet, Krohne, McJunkin, Moore Industries Int’l, Newport Electronics,OneSource Distributors, Patten Systems, Rosemount, Superior Products.


Local section meetingsFor more details about any of the section meetings, please contact the section president, website or read each section’s complete newsletteronline at www.techpubs.net/isanews.

Southern San Joaquin Valley Thurs, Feb 15 President - Del Signorelli, [email protected] Management. Ed Nielands of Chevron will give apresentation on Alarm Management. Location: Hodel’s, February 15,2007 11:30am; Cost: $20 with RSVP, $25 without. RSVP with LisaDenke at [email protected] (661) 201-7842.Website: www.isa.org/~ssjv.

San Diego Tue., Feb 20 President - Alex Bates, [email protected], (858) 531-3886.

Nanotechnology. Speaker Michael Heller, co-founder and chieftechnology officer of Nanogen, Inc. located in San Diego, andprincipal inventor of Nanogen’s microelectronic-based DNA chiptechnology will address the topic of nanotechnology. He served onthe White House National Nanotechnology Initiative panel 1999-2000, and is presently serving on the NAS National NanotechnologyInitiative Review panel. 4:30 p.m.-Social Hour, 5:30 p.m.-Meeting.Please check the website for the meeting location and RSPV info.Website; www.isasd.org.

Orange County Wed., Feb 21 President - Craig Lanternier, [email protected]

Selecting Control Valves For Process Utility Steam And Cogens.Ory Selzer, Senior Development Engineer for CCI will discuss theselection criteria & application of control valves; critical applications;sizing and selection parameters; and steam, water & piping issues..5:00 Networking; 6:00 Program; Fluor, 5211 California Avenue,Irvine. RSVP to Hiten Dalal (714) 500-1018, [email protected] website: www.isa.org/~oranc.

Los Angeles Thu., Feb 22 President - John Prince, [email protected], (714) 968-5501

Instrumentation 2007 Expo and Training. See article on page 4. Toexhibit or attend the expo and training classes, please seewww.Instrumentation2007.com. To pre-register and receive a free giftnot available at the door or to exhibit, please contact Marie Ackad at(818) 585-2195 or Blanca Mendez at (714) 540-4914 x 207.Websites: www.Instrumentation2007.com, www.isala.org.

Flowmeters

Heaters - Cabinets - Enclosures

Distributors of Pressure and Flow Controls:Pressure regulators, pressure indicators, flowmeters,

filters, separators, thermometers, and enclosures

13413 Benson Ave., Chino CA 91710TEL: (909) 590-0408 FAX: (909)590-4146

www.precinstr.com

PROCESS MEASUREMENT & CONTROL SOLUTIONS

Process Level Measurement

Industrial Flowmeters

Gas & Liquid Analyzers

Pipeline Strainers & Bag Filters Gas/Liquid Separators

TeledyneAnalytical Instruments

Gas Mass Flowmeters

Ultrasonic Flowmeters

Gas & Flame Detection

BAKERSFIELD BRANCHTel 661.391.1000 ✦ Fax 661.391.0990

ANAHEIM HILLS CORPORATETel 714.282.5600 ✦ Fax 714.282.7874

[email protected] ✦ www.jprsi.com

Tank Gauging & Systems

V-Cone & Process Flowmeters

Measurement & Instruments

Invensys

Instrumentation Products

Heat Tracing Products & Services

Thermal Controls

Coriolis Mass Flowmeters

Flow/Level/Temp Switches

continued on next page


Regional eventsDates are subject to change. Always contact thesponsoring party before making your final plans toattend. To include an event or make a correction,please contact the editor.

February 22, 2007INSTRUMENTATION 2007Exposition and Technical Training,Carson Convention Center, Carson,www.isala.org

February 22, 2007CCST Review Class CarsonConvention Center, Carson,www.isala.org

February 18-24, 2007Engineers Weekwww.eweek.org

February 22-25, 2007National Fluid Power Associa-tion (NFPA) Spring Conferenceand Annual Meeting, La Quinta,Palm Springs, www.nfpa.com

February 24, 2007Process Analyzer SampleSystems. ISA Orange County &Analysis Division Seminar.Irvine. See article on page 5.www.isa.org/~oranc

March 1, 2007Analytical Instrumentation, ISASymbols and Math for Instru-mentation. Energy ResourceCenter, Downey. www.isala.org.

March 8, 2007CEMS Calibration andMaintenance Training Class.Downey. www.isala.org.

March 26-29, 2007WESTECLos Angeles www.sme.org/westec

April 1-4, 2007Amer Assoc of Petro Geologists(AAPG), Long Bch, www.aapg.org

May 17-18, 2007 (tentative dates)Annual Southern San JoaquinValley Section Scholarship FundBenefit, Golf Tournament,Tabletop Exhibit & Cajun FeastBakersfield. www.isa.org/~ssjv

June 2007Natl Propane Gas Assoc (NPGA)Annual Meeting & EducationalConference, Las Vegas, NV (202)466-7200 www.npga.org

June 6-7, 2007Assoc of Energy Engineers (AEE)West Coast Energy Mgmt Congr,Long Beach; www.aeecenter.org

October 2007ISA EXPO 2007Houston

Las Vegas Thursday, March 1 President - Mike Bridenberg, [email protected] from ISA Las Vegas Section. Section meetings are held atThe Tap House, 5589 W. Charleston Blvd, just East of Jones, on thefirst Thursday of each month at 6:30 PM. At the January meeting, theLas Vegas section began finalizing its calendar for the year with severalnoteworthy items including the annual Table Top Show to be held inlate spring. Vendors are encouraged to contact the section to reservespace for the show. Contact [email protected] for furtherinformation.Section website: www.isa.org/~lasve.

Cal Poly Pomona Student Section No Meeting President - Saif Rawas, [email protected], (909) 802-0159

May 24th is Student Night. For more info, contact Saif Rawas.

Section Events, conitnued from previous page


Pat Gouhin, Jim Pinto speak to full houses

The Los Angeles and San Diego Sections were fortunate to have two of the instrumentation and automation industries’ best known movers andshakers. Pat Gouhin, CEO and Executive Director of ISA and Jim Pinto, automation guru and founder of Action Instruments, gave their view ofthe current state and future of these industries to an overflow audience at each Section’s January monthly meeting.

Los Angeles & San Diego Section News

What is “biotech?”Historically, “biotech” was defined according to a newly discovered

“genetic engineering” technology, which was first spawned in Universi-ties and new startup “biotech” companies. Classic Big Pharma compa-nies joined the biotech arena through licensing, sponsored research andcorporate agreement relationships.

As smaller companies researched technology using genetic engineer-ing procedures, both research reagent, diagnostic and therapeuticproducts were developed. Hence, the definition of “biotech” expanded toinclude companies that previously would have been classified accordingto “diagnostic”, “reagent / assay”, or “pharmaceutical”. These designa-tions further overlapped into the previous classifications of agriculture(“agbio”), environmental (“bioremediation”) and veterinary (“animalhealth”).

As different scientific disciplines began using genetic engineeringtechniques, “biotech” next expanded to include companies involved inneuroscience, genome initiatives, genetic data management and mining(“bioinformatics”), and service organizations such as Contract Researchor Clinical Trial Service companies. In order to supply reagents,enzymes, vectors, plasmids, expression systems, kits, assays, etc. tothese companies, many supplier - vendor companies joined the biotecharena.

Reprinted by permission from Informagen, Inc., a BiotechnologyInformation Resource located at 375 Little Bay Road, Newington NH03801. Their website, www.Informagen.com, is a compilation ofinformation relevant to the biotech industry, including information on true“biotech” companies, and information on their corporate or pharmaceu-tical partners. Copyright (c) 1998 Informagen, Inc, All Rights Reserved.

Developing technologies


Nano in the newsTiny ‘Gas-flow’ Sensor Has Industrial, Environmental Applica-tions. Researchers at Purdue University have shown how to create a newclass of tiny sensors for applications ranging from environmentalprotection to pharmaceutical preservation. J. of Micromechanics andMicroengineering, Purdue University.

Engineers Receive Major Grant for Energy Research. Researchers atthe University of Delaware have received a $960,000 grant from the U.S.Department of Energy (DOE) to identify low-cost, nano-sized catalysts-tiny amounts of metal compounds-that can spur the chemical conversionof liquid fuels into hydrogen for powering cars to heating homes.University of Delaware.Scientists Find Why Conductance of Nanowires Vary. A GeorgiaTech physics group has discovered how and why the electrical conduc-tance of metal nanowires changes as their length varies. Determining thestructural properties of nanowires is a big challenge facing the future ofnanotechnology. Physical Review Letters, Jan - 2007, Georgia Instituteof Technology.

Source: Newswise

Engineering Education

PBS: Curious GeorgeMarathon for eWeek

In celebration of Engineers Week, future engineers and technicianswon’t want to miss PBS’s special Curious George Marathon onSaturday February 24, 2007. Kids of all ages will delight in back-to-backepisodes of this entertaining children’s series in which actor William H.Macy narrates the incredible antics of this inquisitive primate whileGeorge’s insatiable curiosity acquaints preschoolers with key concepts inmath, science and design engineering technology.For more information about Engineers Week, Feb 18-24, 2007, pleasesee www.eweek.org.

Former ISA president, Don Zee, chats with Jim Pinto, whilePat Gouhin chats with attendees.


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Energy Industry News

Tesoro to purchaseWilmington refinery

San Antonio, Texas (January 29, 2007) — Tesoro Corporationannounced plans to purchase the Los Angeles Refinery in Wilmington,Wilmington Products Terminal and approximately 250 SouthernCalifornia Shell-branded retail sites from Shell Oil Products US.

Tesoro plans to make investments at Wilmington to improvereliability, upgrade environmental performance, and increase theproduction of clean products at the plant over the next several years.These investments are anticipated to generate an additional $125 to $150million of annual EBITDA and should be fully implemented by 2011.

Shell’s Wilmington refinery, located south of Los Angeles, is a100,000 barrel per day heavy, sour crude refinery producing clean fuelsthat meet California’s stringent requirements. Source: Tesoro, Corp.

Chevron crude unitcatches fire

San Francisco, Calif. (January 15, 2007) — A fire occurred onJanuary 15th at the Richmond refinery’s No. 4 crude unit, which was inthe process of being shut down for planned maintenance and inspectionwhen hot diesel-like oil leaked from a pipe or pump, according toChevron and Contra Costa health officials. Flames shot 100 feet in theair, and one employee was treated locally and released. “Initial reports

show the fire expelled sulfur dioxide and other toxins into the air, but atlow levels that would not impact nearby residents,” said Randy Sawyer,county hazardous materials programs director. The refinery is the largestin the Bay Area. Sources: Contra Costa Times, Financial Times, Ltd.

SCE signs largestwind energy contract

Rosemead, Calif (Dec. 21, 2006) — Southern California Edison, thenation’s leading purchaser of renewable energy, has signed the largestwind energy contract ever by a US utility with Alta WindpowerDevelopment, a subsidiary of Allco Wind Energy of Australia. It securesfor SCE customers at least 1,500 megawatts of power generated by newwind park projects to be built in the Tehachapi area. Oak Creek EnergySystems Inc. of Mojave, Calif., is a partner in the development,construction, and operations of the projects.

SCE has also signed a new contract with Chateau Energy topurchase 15 MW of power from a biomass facility in the Mesquite Lakearea of Imperial County and signed an amendment to an existing contractwith Edom Hill that will allow Edom’s wind project to increase itscapacity to 20 MW by “repowering,” upgrading technology to moreefficiently capture additional wind energy. Other companies involvedwith SCE in these projects include Coso Clean Plant, MM TajiguasEnergy, Imperial Valley Resource Recovery Co., Caithness 251 Wind,and Ridgetop Energy.

SCE currently serves between 16% and 17% of its customers’ needswith renewable energy, leading the nation with more than 13 billionkilowatt-hours of renewable energy per year. Source: SCE.


Over the years, there have been manyindustrial mishaps due to inadequate design,poor operating procedures, lack of timelyinspection, and untrained maintenancepersonnel.

One of my pet peeves has been small-bore piping. Here are some examples of thethings that I have seen when working on jobsites.“Near Miss” with H2S

In the Bay Area, several process plantsthat operate well above 1500 PSIG. At one

of these installations, the High Pressure Separator interface leveltransmitter (displacer type) was not functioning. A second transmitter(differential pressure type) was installed. The new transmitter wasconnected directly into the process using 1/2" 316 tubing (heavy wall)and compression fittings.

When the process isolation valves were unblocked and the transmit-ter was activated, I saw the maintenance mechanic place a wrench on thenut of the compression fitting. Realizing the danger of a leak of either theH2S rich liquid or the high-pressure hydrocarbon contents, I stoppedhim. After retreating to a “safe” area, I asked the mechanic what heintended to do and what training he had received. Obviously, this mec-hanic lacked the understanding of how much danger both of us were in.

When checking the original level displacer, we found a piece of wireblocking the torque tube movement. This was the work of the samemechanic.Missing Ferrule

On a multi-pass crude furnace, it was desired to balance the passesand measure each individual pass flowrate. Each pass was equipped witha new orifice plate and differential pressure transmitter. The orificeflanges were fitted with isolation valves, with the impulse lines beingstainless tubing with compression fittings.

During start-up, a loose tubing fitting caused a fire at the furnaceand the plant had to be shut down. The cause of the leak was traced to a

poorly made-up compression fitting. One of the ferrules (two ferrulesystem) was missing. The assembler must have stubbed-in the tubing andtightened the fitting.

The skill of the tubing fitters should have been checked before beingallowed to perform this work. After the fittings were made-up, theyshould have been disassembled and inspected. A flaw in the fitting wouldhave been discovered at that time.Air Tubing Leak

An Air Operated Valve (AOV) was modified with an externalsolenoid valve. New air supply lines were installed using 1/4" plastictubing and “stub-in” type fittings. After several months in operation, theAOV failed to cycle. The process could not be run resulting in lostrevenue.

The problem was traced to a tubing fitting that failed to grab the 1/4" plastic tube. The air tubing is inserted into the fitting and the fittingholds the tube. Removal of the tubing requires depressing a plasticretainer into the fitting.

On the failed fitting, the retainer was missing and the tube was heldin by friction only. A simple tug test by the installer would haveprevented this failure.Miscellaneous

There are too many cases (to list) of equipment substitution in thefield. With tubing fittings, missing ferrules are common, use of a wrongmetallurgy (i.e. brass or steel) happens, followed closely by incorrectassembly procedure. In high-pressure applications, the uses of threadsealer in contrast to thread lubricant are common issues. Stainless Steelthreaded surfaces can gall when assembled. Once galled, obtaining a goodseal is difficult.

In conclusion, there are many safeguards utilized in the constructionof industrial pressure vessels and piping. Design review and properselection of equipment and materials are critical. The “Instrument Spec”covers installation details past the “first” isolation valve. In addition, thetrained mechanic and use of appropriate inspection methods canminimize risks of process leaks and equipment failure.

Copyright (C) 2007 Andrew Fortunka. All Rights Reserved.

The trouble with tubing fittingsby Andrew Fortunka, Stantec Consulting

tion will discuss the instrumentation, monitoring & control, networking,and data reporting & archiving techniques currently used in the water/wastewater industry.

“Advances in Analytical instrumentation have made on-linemonitoring in municipal and industrial applications more reliable,accurate and less expensive, according to Terry Englehardt, of HachHomeland Security. “In real dollars cost of comparable on-line analyticalinstruments have stayed about the same cost or decreased whilecapability has increased. In the mid-1980’s for example two on-lineturbidimeters with only analog outputs would have totaled about $3500.Today, comparable instruments are more rugged, equipped for analog anddigital outputs and lower in cost, about $3200. On-line chlorineanalyzers in the mid 1980’s cost about $0.04 per day to operate. Todaythey still cost about $0.04 per day.

“Increased affordability and reliability have been coupled with anincreased number of parameters. The real bonus of these improved

Water/Wastewater Industry Panel, continued from page 4

instruments is a corresponding increase in process control and henceoverall decreases in treatment cost.”

Thao Le is a control systems engineer at the Joint Water PollutionControl Plant located in at the Los Angeles County Sanitation District inCarson. Thao graduated from University of New Orleans with a B.S.degree in Electrical Engineering. She had more than 15 years of instru-mentation and control experience in petroleum refining and wastewaterindustries. She can be reached at [email protected].

Roy Jumbo is Electrical, Instrumentation and Control Systemsengineer at Carollo Engineers in Fountain Valley, California. After twosummers as an intern at the General Motors’ Metal Fabrication Divisionin Wentzville MO, Roy Jumbo graduated from Oklahoma State Univer-sity with a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering. He has had over 4 yearsof experience in the water/wastewater industry, two of those with MWHin Pasadena CA, and is Roy can be reached at [email protected].

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Application Notes


Instrumentation & Analyzer Technicians. Perform repairs,calibration, preventative maintenance with a minimum of supervisionon all types of electrical, instrumentation, and plant analyticalequipment. Installation of wiring, instrumentation and control systemequipment. Experience with PLC programming, graphical interfacesoftware desirable but not required. Ability to work from electricalschematics, mechanical drawings. Will work from home and coverSouthern California. Full-time, part-time or contract openings. Noovernight travel. Please contact John Prince at APG Analyzer Systems,at (714) 968-5501 or apply through website - wwwCalCEMS.com.

Job Shop

Manufacturers Representative. MCR Technologies a manufactur-ers representative covering Southern California and Southern Nevadais seeking qualified outside sales person with 3+ years of salesexperience in the instrumentation field. Competitive salary andbonus, Health, Dental, Vision, Life insurance benefits. Forwardresume to [email protected] or fax to 949-830-2390.

Environmental Engineer. Develop procedures, conduct training andaudits, interface with regulatory agencies. Manage RCRA and HazardousMaterial Programs, including HMP, RMP, SPCC and SARA 313.Develop waste minimization strategies. Maintain compliance with local,state and federal hazardous waste and hazardous material regulations,including RCRA and CAL-EPA. BS Degree in Environmental Eng. (orrelevant) and at least 5 yrs. exp. Exp. in the chemical or pharmaceuticalindustry a plus. Ampac Fine Chemicals / HR (916) 355-3725.

Outside Sales Position. Valin is interviewing for an immediate outsidesales position covering a territory that includes Los Angeles and OrangeCounties. The position has specific focus on the petrochemical andengineering contractor markets. Candidates should have experience sellingvalve and instrumentation products. Please contact the following formore information: Greg Neneman at [email protected] or John Hill [email protected]. You may also find out more about Valin Corporation atvalinonline.com.

Industrial Instrument Technician. Journeyman level instrumenttechnician. Applicant must show experience with setting-up, installing,running, troubleshooting industrial process control loops, configuring andtroubleshooting DCS. Knowledge in the installation, calibrating, andrepairing of the following pneumatic and smart field instruments:pressure, flow, temp, level, analytical transmitters, value positioners,valve actuators, printers, scanners and PID controllers. Requires highschool diploma or GED. Mail resume to Industrial Instr Tech 0602, c/oTechPubs Communications, PO Box 1605, Costa Mesa, CA 92628.

Sales Engineer Position. SurelokTM, a business unit of cMAX-2000,Inc., is seeking experienced sales engineers, for the sales of tube fittings,face seal and weld fittings to the industrial customers such as manufac-turers of Analytical Instruments, Gas Analyzers, Gas Panels, Gasregulators, etc., in Southern California. We offer a reasonable base salaryand attractive sales commission to results oriented persons. Forwardresume to [email protected] or fax to (951) 688-1885.

Electro-Mechanical Engineer/Technician. Automation companyneeds Engineer/Technician experienced with computer and PLC con-trolled equipment comprised of multi-axis motor control, pneumaticactuators, machine control, and feedback elements including analog &digital inputs, encoders, photo-electrics, vision systems. Must under-stand PC/PLC software, HW/SW interfaces and be able to identify andisolate electrical, software, or mechanical problems. Will assist withdesign & assembly of new systems as well as installation, field service &support. Salary commensurate with experience. Email resume [email protected].

JOB WANTED: Engineer/Consultant with a B.S. in IndustrialEngineering seeking a position that requires the use of mathematicalsciences, engineering, and economics for cost estimation and managerialdecision-making in Los Angeles, Orange or San Diego Counties. Twoyears relevant work experience includes economic and business analysisconsulting and systems engineering for DoD clients. Active DoD secretsecurity clearance. Computer skills include: Automated Cost EstimatingIntegrated Tools (ACEIT); Arena 7.0; AutoCAD; C++; DOORS; ExpertChoice; Maple; MatLab; Microsoft Office; Surfcam. Will email resumeand references upon request. Contact Danielle Brisky at (703) 946-5083or [email protected].

Circulation is approximately 1,500 ISA members and other industrypersonnel. To place an ad, please contact the newsletter editor.

Computer Validation Engineer. BS degree/technical. 5-8 yrs. experi-ence maintaining validation programs, preferably in computerized systemvalidation and automation systems e.g. process control systems.Knowledge of applicable regulations/guidelines. Background in generalquality processes/ systems. Salary commensurate with experience (in$85-$115k range). Please contact or send resume to: Dianne Gauger,Dianne Gauger & Associates at (760) 777-7372 or [email protected]

Water &Wastewater Industry Manager. Rosemount Analytical locatedin Irvine, California and a leader in the development and manufacture ofliquid analysis instruments has an immediate need for an IndustryManager to assist in the development and execution of strategies toachieve profitable growth in the global Drinking Water and Wastewaterindustries. The ideal candidate will have experience working within themunicipal markets either directly or as a consultant or supplier. Familiar-ity with the construction, principles of operation and applications ofelectrochemical and amperometric sensors (i.e., pH, chlorine, DO, etc.) forwater analysis is required. This position reports through the divisionIndustry Marketing department. Qualifications: BS Degree in Engineering,Chemistry or related field. MBA preferred and 5 to 7 years of productdevelopment experience and/or inside sales or marketing experience in atechnical discipline (preferably instrumentation). Requires strong writtenand verbal communication skills; must work effectively with teams.Travel averaging approximately 25% of the time is required. Learn moreabout us at www.raliquid.com. Please send resumes to RosemountAnalytical, 2400 Barranca Pkwy, Irvine, CA 92606, or e-mail [email protected].

Control and Instrumentation Technician 2 - ImmediateOpening! Park Water Company is interviewing for a Control andInstrumentation Technician skilled in water system instrumentationand controls, including the installation, maintenance, design andtesting of software and hardware for SCADA systems and associatedradio based communication systems. Experience with electrical andcontrol system troubleshooting, Allen Bradley PLC programming,iFix HMI programming, Ethernet and radio communications isdesirable. Information on the position, the Company, and theapplication and waiver forms are on our website atwww.parkwater.com, or call Park Water in Downey at (562) 923-0711, ext. 203.


ADVERTISERS INDEX

Caltrol, Inc ................................................. 3Capital Westward Systems & Controls ..... 11College of Instrument Technology ... Insert, 15Electrical Systems Limited ........................... 5Emerson Process Management ................. 12Frank’s Industrial Services, Inc. ................ 10George Fischer Signet ................................. 9Golden State Controls .............................. 12JPR Systems .............................................. 8Moore Industries ................................. InsertNewport Electronics, Inc. .................... InsertPatten Systems ........................................... 3Precision Instrumentation ............................ 8Valin Corporation ....................................... 5WestMark Sales, Inc. ..................... Insert,16Wilmington Instrument .......................... Insert

Instrumentation 2007State of the Art Instrumentation,

Controls and AutomationCarson Convention Center

Feb 22, 2007Instrumentation2007.com

Hands-on Field TrainingInstrumentation Basics, PLC Programming

Feb-Mar-May 2007www.isala.org

Golf Tournament,Tabletop Exhibit and

Cajun FeastThursday - Friday, May 17-18, 2007

www.isa.org/~ssjv

Free ISA WebinarsAll regular members now have free, unlimited

access to viewing all archived ISA web seminars.www.isa.org

Richard Smith, formerly engineering manager for Varec Divisionof Tyco, has joined Advanced Process Services, LLC, (APS) as a designengineer. Richard is a graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and hiscapabilities will add to the growth of the organization.

“APS is also joining forces with Delta-P a company that designsspecial application trim for all manufacturers’ control valves, and APShas plans to start a rep organization to extend their ability to supplyand service all our principals,” says Tom Burdi, APS president.

For more information, please contact Advanced Process Services at(323) 278-6530 or [email protected].

Industry News

APS expands operations

Advertisement

Free instrumentationtraining offered

The College of Instrument Technology in Bellflower hasbeen in business for 22 years and teaches hands-on classes.CIT graduates 150-200 certified instrument technicians peryear, with students graduating every month. Over 90% ofgraduates go to work right away for $50-70K annually.

CIT has a 16-24 week instrument program and is aregular source of instrumentation personnel by oil companies,aircraft companies, UAW and others. The drop-out rate atCIT is extremely low — less than 1/2% because of themodule-type training programs which allows students toattend class intermittently per their schedule. Day andevening classes are available. Of particular interest toelectricians is the opportunity to enter the instrumentationfield (dual craft). And, at this time, a large grant has beenreceived from the state to enable a limited number ofapplicants to receive FREE classes! This program involvesthe retraining of dislocated or underemployed workers.

Classes run for 16-24 weeks, 6 hours per day. Studentsmust complete a module per day. Courses start March 5th,but students need to do the testing before Feb 28 to get thefree training.

For more information, please see the loose brochureinserted inside this newsletter, or contact CIT by phone at(562) 900-8058. Come on down and test!!

Terry Engelhardt currently serves in a dual role at Hach Companyas a sales development manager for drinking water applications and as anapplication engineer with Hach Homeland Security Technologies. Terryhas an MS degree in Natural Science – Chemistry and Physics. He joinedHach Company in 1983. Prior to joining Hach, Mr. Engelhardt hadextensive experience in water treatment including water distributionmechanic, water plant operator, water treatment superintendent andwater/wastewater operator instructor at a vocational school. He s amember of AWWA, WEF and AFS. Terry can be reached [email protected].

Joan Chang is Regional Sales Manager for Hach Company and canbe reached at [email protected] or (626) 795-8144.

Water/Wastewater Industry,continued from page 13


ISA Section Newsletterc/o TechPubs CommunicationsPO Box 1605Costa Mesa, CA 92628

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