connections domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /home/pumpindustry.com/public_html/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6170eventlist domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /home/pumpindustry.com/public_html/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6170connections domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /home/pumpindustry.com/public_html/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6170eventlist domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /home/pumpindustry.com/public_html/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6170Neither the World Health Organisation (WHO) nor the European Union or Member States have seen the need to establish a limit value for TFA in drinking water so far, hence, few tests for this chemical have been carried out. Several TFA (re-)assessments have recently been launched at EU level that are likely to lead to a health-derived limit value for TFAs in drinking water.
Oliver Loebel, EurEau Secretary General stated: “This study highlights once more the urgent need for a prompt and far-reaching phase out of all fluorinated chemicals that can degrade to TFA, including in pesticides and biocides. If the TFA re-assessments conclude that the quality of our drinking water is at risk, we will take all necessary measures to protect the health of our citizens. But we must be clear, this problem cannot be solved at ‘the end of pipe’. TFA removal is technically very challenging, resource-intensive and costly. Policy makers must ensure that polluters and not water consumers shoulder the bill of any unavoidable extra-treatment.”
TFA is a very mobile and very persistent fluorinated chemical which is ubiquitous in our environment. The substance is used in the chemical industry, but it is also the final metabolite of many PFAS.
Most of the PFAS intake for people occurs through food, while water (including drinking water) represents a secondary source. While the PAN Europe/Global 2000 study concludes that the average concentrations of TFA in both drinking water and mineral water “appear to be still within what are considered safety limits [sic]”, the continued release of that substance will undoubtedly accumulate in the environment over time (1). Particularly worrying is the fact that our rain water – which is essential to replenishing our water resources – may contain hundreds of nanograms of TFA (2) due to the emission and atmospheric degradation of some fluorinated gases (in particular HFOs). At the same time, significant contribution from agriculture through PFAS-containing pesticides increases pollution.
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In his opening address, the German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, Dr Robert Habeck, emphasised the role of the process industry as a driver for economic growth and social progress: “Chemical and pharmaceutical technology, biotechnology and environmental technologies, hold tremendous potential for a more sustainable economy”, said the Minister, followed by examples ranging from the sustainable production of everyday amenities to the development of new pharmaceuticals, from energy-efficient equipment to digitalized, yet more efficient plants.
According to Habeck, ACHEMA’s innovation topics digitalization, sustainability, laboratory technologies, pharmaceuticals, process optimization, and hydrogen illustrate the vital importance of the process industry for the transformation of our economies and societies as a whole: “These themes are not mere buzzwords but the pillars upon which we will build the future”, said the Minister.
In his welcome address, Dr Klaus Schäfer, Chairman of DECHEMA e.V., and former CTO of Covestro mentioned the challenges, the process industry is facing: increasing instability and, in some cases, protectionist tendencies in trade policy, the shift towards greater sustainability, the development of the hydrogen economy and the endeavour to secure raw materials. According to Schäfer these developments touch on deep-rooted certainties and lead to a ‘duck to cover’ reaction, in which we hide behind established – if outdated – technologies and close borders – also the borders of the mind. “For our disciplines, ‘duck and cover’ has never been an option – innovation and thinking beyond limits is in our DNA. And you will find many outstanding examples for this in the exhibition and the congress at ACHEMA 2024”, stated Schäfer.
He continued, that the upcoming hydrogen economy, but also new concepts for energy generation, use and storage or the vision of a circular economy require even closer interactions and joint ideas for our economic system. “Despite all the challenges we are currently facing, we have to find new ways for international cooperation. It has to be based on trust, it has to be fair and it requires commonly accepted goals. Fairness also implies level playing fields in terms of regulatory and policy frameworks; setting common goals implies that we are aware of conflicting interests and try to actively manage them”.
In the following panel discussion Julia Schlenz, President of Dow Germany, Austria and Switzerland, Marcus Miertz, Member of the Executive Board of SAMSON AG, and Dr Fritzi Köhler-Geib, Chief Economist of the KfW Group, shared their views on the situation, critically examined exemplary challenges and discussed possible solutions.
„The transformation of the chemical industry toward carbon neutrality is a multifaceted and complex process. Many of the necessary technologies and solutions to transform our production facilities, still need to be developed, scaled, and implemented. At the same time, many of our products are essential for the transformation. Therefore, we emphasize innovation and recognize that a forward-looking process industry is key to the success of this transformation” says Julia Schlenz, President of Dow Germany, Austria and Switzerland. At the same time, she argued in favour of remaining open to technology, setting targeted regulatory frameworks, and giving the industry the opportunity and trust to discover the best technologies and methods to achieve the common goals.
Marcus Miertz, Member of the Executive Board of SAMSON AG, is convinced that the future of the process industry will be strongly influenced by innovations in the areas of digitalization, sustainability and efficiency. The use of artificial intelligence will be crucial here. These technologies can help to increase efficiency, reduce errors and improve product quality. “Overall, we are confident that these developments will enable the process industry to utilize new opportunities and possibilities to develop and grow”, says Miertz.
“Climate neutrality and digitalization require a massive transformation and large investments across all sectors, but they also present great opportunities for future growth and employment”, emphasized Dr Fritzi Köhler-Geib, Chief Economist of the KfW Group. In Europe, despite challenges we are in a good position due to our strong innovative capacity. “We need to build on this”, she urged.
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In the standard version, the media wetted seat seals are made of PTFE with glass-fibre reinforcement (reinforced PTFE). This is what gives them exceptionally high material resistance when exposed to changing media and enables a wide range of applications and a high level of safety when using dangerous media. The stainless steel ball valves are suitable for use in applications at temperatures between -40 °C and 220 °C.
Thanks to its two-piece body, the ball valve has only one connection point, guaranteeing reliable tightness. The ball valve has a fire safe design as standard in accordance with API 607 and DIN EN ISO 10497, with the housing and shaft seal made of graphite.
The risk of fire can exist in all types of production plant, but fire protection measures play an important role in some industrial sectors and processes. In these areas of application, a fire safe valve such as the GEMÜ BB0F is the right choice. The ball valve is available in nominal sizes DN 15 to DN 200 with flanged connections ANSI class 150 and PN40/PN16.
Alongside applications in the chemical industry, this ball valve can also be used for heating systems and HVAC applications. The new GEMÜ BB0F series includes the GEMÜ B2F manual ball valve, the GEMÜ B4F pneumatic ball valve and the GEMÜ B6F motorized version.
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