| Editorial 2009/1 (Ton Büchner, Corporation) |
Dear technology experts, customers, and partners,
We are pleased to present you with the first issue of the newly designed Sulzer
Technical Review (STR). Its publication coincides with the 175th anniversary of our
company. As you read on, you will find that while the appearance of the STR has
changed, the nature of the articles, including their high level of technical detail,
remains the same. Several new elements have been added to the STR. For example,
the “Sulzer Analogy” article focuses on parallels between nature and Sulzer.
Milestones in our corporate history and an interview with the President
of Sulzer Innotec are also featured. |
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| New perspectives in thermal insulation and product design: Economic added value (Philip Nising, Manfred Wäckerlin, Sulzer Chemtech) |
| Expanded polystyrene is a widespread material used primarily all for thermal insulation and
in the packaging sector. Sulzer Chemtech has developed a continuous manufacturing
process for the production of a more eco-friendly end product with improved properties. |
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| The animal kingdom also has an energy budget (Herbert Cerutti, ) |
| Consider the way in which bumblebees
optimize the search for nectar, butterflies
adapt the speed at which they fly, and
chamois survive harsh alpine winters:
it is only by dispensing with any luxury
that a creature can gain the critical advantage
in the genetic battle, which ultimately
results in a larger number of offspring and
the long-term survival of the fittest. |
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| The new generation of automotive powertrains: More comfort with less fuel (Torsten Koch, Sulzer Friction Systems (Germany) GmbH) |
| Modern dual-clutch transmission (DCT) technology provides an excellent balance
between driving comfort and fuel efficiency. To date, 90% of all the synchronizers
built for DCTs, feature Sulzer friction and component technology.. |
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| High-perfomance alternative to traditional coatings for turbines: Advanced sealing systems (Scott Wilson, Thomas Peters, Sulzer Innotec, Sulzer Markets and Technology ) |
| In aerospace and power generation, aggressive targets have been set for reduced CO2 and nitrogen oxide
emissions from gas turbines. This poses huge challenges for improved engine sealing efficiencies through
the correct use of abrasive tip material technology for turbine blades. |
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| Protecting the environment and reducing costs: Variable speed pumps (Marc Heggemann, Ralf Gerdes, Sulzer Innotec, Sulzer Pumps) |
| Since fossil fuels will be important for energy production for the foreseeable future, the emission of carbon
dioxide CO2 cannot be avoided in the short term. End-user energy efficiency is therefore a key part to
reduce emissions. Sulzer Pumps supports strategy to save energy and reduce emissions by providing
state of the art high efficiency industrial pumping systems. An overlooked opportunity? |
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| Arriving in the US-Market: SUMEBore® technology (Richard McCullough, Sulzer Metco (US) Inc.) |
| Sulzer Metco has pioneered the innovation and development of thermal
spray coatings for decades. Under the SUMEBore® brand, various plasma
spray devices are available. A strategic decision was made to install a
new production cell at Sulzer Metco’s Westbury facility. The new installation
helps the US automotive, heavy trucking and railway industries to benefit
from the plasma process. |
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| Pump retrofit for new mode of operation (Brian Germaine, Sulzer Pumps (UK) Ltd.) |
| The generation of power stations built in the United Kingdom 40 years ago are now all operated
by private companies. Originally designed for continuous operation, modern conditions require
that the stations are routinely run at part load and brought on and off load in a 2-shift operation.
This places heavy demands on the feed pump and may reduce its reliability. Sulzer Pumps
undertook a major retrofit of the boiler feed pumps at the Radcliffe-on-Soar power station to
upgrade them to a design suitable for this new mode of operation. |
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| Improved power plant performance (Shaun West, Sulzer Turbo Services) |
| By using modern technologies, Sulzer Turbo Services has been able to develop unique
solutions to support the owner’s operational needs. This approach is applicable to
both steam and gas turbines and can provide sustainable competitive advantages.
The article looks at three completed projects. |
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| Welcome to Sulzer Metco Westbury (Richard McCullough, Sulzer Metco (US) Inc.) |
| Sulzer Metco Thermal Spray's U.S.
head quarters are located 30 miles
east of down town New York City in
Westbury, NY. For the last 10 years
this plant has been the primary U.S.
manufacturing, development and
distribution location. |
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| Interview: Hans-Walter Schläpfer: “Strength based on innovation” (Beat Winterflood, Sulzer Innotec) |
| Sulzer Innotec performs contract research and provides
technical services to support the divisions of the
Sulzer Group and to open up new areas of business
as well as offering its expertise to external customers.
The President of Sulzer Innotec, Hans-Walter Schläpfer,
spoke to us about the unit's current areas of focus. |
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