Anguil Announces Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) Platform, Seeks Pilot Customers

Anguil Announces Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) Platform, Seeks Pilot Customers

Anguil has announced the launch of their Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) software platform and is now seeking participants for their pilot program. Unlike the Internet of Things (IoT), which largely centers on consumer devices, IIoT focuses on bringing connectivity and data exchange capabilities via an internet connection to industrial and manufacturing contexts.

Anguil’s IIoT software platform is tailored specifically for enhancing operational transparency and reporting capabilities for environmental pollution control equipment. Anguil partnered with Siemens to leverage their Mindsphere® software, which provides exceptional data security and complex development components and tools, allowing Anguil to develop a sophisticated, flexible, and data secure IIoT solution. Anguil’s IIoT platform is designed to leverage existing equipment data to improve performance, lower maintenance costs, and prevent unplanned downtime through graphical overviews, KPI dashboards, live trending, and document repositories.

According to Richard Oakes, Client Manager and IIoT Business Development Manager, the timing couldn’t be better for Anguil’s IIoT solution: “IoT has disrupted and transformed widespread consumer markets. Why should the environmental pollution control industry be any different? The industry has been mature for a long time – the next logical step is advanced automation and controls. Until now, there really hasn’t been much out there for environmental managers looking to modernize their environmental equipment management strategy. Our IIoT platform is a game changer for them.”

To further test and enhance their IIoT platform, Anguil is seeking industrial facilities with existing environmental technologies to participate in a pilot program.  Participants partner with Anguil to integrate the IIoT platform with their environmental equipment for a six-month period, providing feedback on the existing interface and input on desired functionality. To qualify as a pilot participant, Anguil is seeking facilities willing to provide Anguil’s IIoT team technical access to their system control panel. Besides minimal set-up costs, there is no cost to participate as a pilot customer and no long-term obligation. At the end of the pilot program, participants will be offered the option to continue IIoT services or to end the engagement with no pressure to purchase.

For more information on Anguil’s IIoT capabilities and to apply to the IIoT Pilot Program, go to https://anguil.com/engineering-services/industrial-internet-of-things-iiot.

The Power of Many – Expanding Possibilities of Remote Connection

Establishing a Remote Connection to your oxidizer is one of the most critical service enhancements you can make.

Manufacturers understand that establishing a remote connection with pollution control systems and process equipment is essential for business continuity. For Anguil clients with remote connection capability, it is both a lifeline during system upsets as well as a “force-multiplier,” akin to getting the experience and knowledge of several engineers on site for the price of one.

How is Remote Connection Typically Used?

Anguil generally uses remote assistance in our Field Service and Engineering departments to connect with equipment controls and make program changes or perform troubleshooting. Essentially, we can do many things remotely and have the same result as standing at the control panel onsite, such as watching the machine in operation, seeing alarms happen, and diagnosing issues. Once connected to a customer’s PLC, Anguil can monitor all connected instrumentation. Using this information, we can troubleshoot issues including operational efficiency and the inability to start or operate the equipment.

We can accomplish even more equipment troubleshooting if the customer has an employee we can direct on what to physically check. In these cases, we can solve problems very fast, saving a potentially costly service visit or solving an equipment emergency when time cannot wait for the arrival of our service personnel.

Remote Connection in Uncertain Times

While remote connection has been a standard inclusion with Anguil equipment for many years, it gained elevated significance during global pandemic uncertainty when travel and many businesses were shut down. While Anguil remained open as an essential business, remote connection enabled us to stay connected to our customers and even support them in new ways, including “site” supervision.

For almost every aftermarket project requiring equipment work, Anguil sends a Field Service Engineer (FSE) to site for project supervision. However, during the COVID-19 global pandemic, Anguil was unable to go to a customer’s site due to COVID-19 safety restrictions at the plant. The project was a complex internal heat exchanger replacement, which required the removal of a large portion of ductwork attached to the system, electrical, and structural steel. This undertaking normally would have required an FSE onsite for up to a month.

The pandemic restrictions certainly presented a challenge to our aftermarket team, but at Anguil, we do whatever it takes to deliver for our customers.

Remote Connection Saves the Day in a New Way

Fortunately, the customer had remote connection established with Anguil. Our Aftermarket team decided to leverage this capability in a new way: remote installation supervision. With the customer onboard, our team strategized on the best execution strategy. A technical and mechanical package was put together

for the contractor to follow and conversations during the installation were on an as required basis. Most importantly, the remote installation approach offered additional flexibility with staffing: instead of assigning an FSE for project supervision, the Aftermarket team assigned the Project Engineer.

There were multiple benefits to this approach as the Project Engineer has much more intimate knowledge on the work being done. He completed many Solidworks models and drawings to guide the customer on how to remove and replace the heat exchanger. The Anguil Engineer was also able to monitor their

progress remotely at various points with a check in video call and resolve technical issues with the customer at their pace. At the same time, sending the Project Engineer to site to supervise would not be ideal for Anguil or our other Aftermarket customers as he could not keep up on his other projects while on site.

Remote installation supervision also softened the blow of other project complications. The customer faced many personnel and weather issues during installation. COVID-19 shut the plant down in the middle of the project for two weeks. A snowstorm shut the plant down for a couple days. If Anguil had an FSE onsite during this time, they would have been stuck in a hotel for that amount of time.

Across the board, leveraging remote connection was a win-win for everyone. Due to the nature of this project and the savings incurred during remote assistance, Anguil was able to issue a credit to the customer worth over $12,000! The heat exchanger installation was successful and the customer was very pleased.

Interested in Remote Connection for Your Oxidizer System?

Remote connection capability is not just for Anguil systems! With a simple evaluation, Anguil can determine what needs to be done to get your oxidizer connected to our team of experts. Once online access is established, we can troubleshoot existing issues and help prevent future malfunctions. Get in Touch with Anguil’s Aftermarket team to learn more about adding remote connection capabilities.

Webinar: Empowering Environmental Technologies with the IIoT

Webinar: Empowering Environmental Technologies with the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)

When: Wednesday December 2, 2020 / 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM CDT (2pm ET / 11AM PT)

Presented by Environmental Energy + Leader, Anguil Environmental is partnering with Siemens to discuss exciting developments in the world of technology and environmental equipment: Empowering Environmental Technologies with the IIoT.

What is the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)?

Anguil’s control systems already provide the safest, most efficient, and highly reliable operation while integrating smoothly into existing plant operations. Anguil is now trailblazing the technological advancement of environmental equipment with the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) to improve safety, reliability, and maintenance efforts.

This functionality allows personnel inside and outside the plant to communicate with your abatement system using native programming and an internet connection. Real-time data logging, event reporting, and alarm notification are just some of the benefits to IIoT. It is one of the easiest ways to expedite troubleshooting, reduce downtime, and enhance the value of routine preventive maintenance.

What will you learn in this webinar?

• How can you be sure your environmental technologies are in compliance?
• What is the risk of not leveraging sensors and smart devices in decision making?

Manufacturing facilities are increasingly being designed with sensing devices that employ a central control system to remotely monitor and adjust equipment within the plant and beyond. The transparency provided via the IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) allows companies to analyze and predict machine behavior to optimize production and processes remotely. However, there are costs, time considerations, and potential pitfalls in system selection and implementation. Plant managers, engineers, and production personnel must carefully consider safety, security, and usability of each remotely monitored device. Compliance adds another layer of complexity when talking about IIoT for environmental technologies.

This webinar will examine, in detail, all the benefits and potential hurdles that industrial facilities should evaluate when implementing remote monitoring on environmental technologies.

REGISTER HERE

4 Qualities to Look for in Your Next Environmental Partner

Not all environmental technology providers are created equal. How do you ensure you make the smartest choice in such a significant relationship? Start by assessing these four qualities and asking the following questions to any potential environmental technology partner.

1. Engineering Experience and Expertise

Like three legs of a stool, any potential technology partner should have a proven record of engineering experience across three key dimensions: company and employee legacy, industry and application depth, and global reach. A company with multiple planes of experience will ensure you are getting the best custom solution tailored uniquely to your application.

Questions to Ask:

• What is the depth of your engineers’ experience?
• How many successful installations do you have in my industry?
• Who will my project manager be, and can I meet them?

2. Quality Design and Manufacturing for System Reliability

Your selected environmental technology partner should have a proven process in place for design and manufacturing processes to ensure your equipment is not only delivered on time and on budget, but that it meets performance and compliance requirements.

Questions to Ask:

• How is your fabrication process managed?
• What kind of Quality Assurance program is in place?
• What technology is leveraged during system design?

3. Integrated System Controls

When evaluating a potential partner, assess their in-house controls engineering capabilities and success record with integrating multiple equipment packages and process lines.  Controls designs should be remotely accessible, resilient to downtime, account for safety and compliance risks, be optimized for usability, and enable seamless integration into the existing facilities.

Questions to Ask:

• How do your controls ensure safe, efficient, and reliable operation?
• What is your experience integrating abatement equipment and process lines?
• What remote connection capabilities are in place?

4. Robust Aftermarket Services Department for All Makes, Models & Manufacturers

A reputable partner should have an accessible aftermarket and service department to maximize system value through preventive and predictive maintenance, spare parts, and emergency service. Consider the stability and vitality of any potential partner – being left without a service lifeline after a company goes out of business could leave you adrift and risk unplanned down time and compliance risk.

Questions to Ask:

• Do you have a dedicated Aftermarket department?
• Do you offer 24/7 service support?
• Who will be servicing my equipment? Where are they based?

Anguil’s legacy of broad Industry Experience means our engineering experts are not pigeon-holed to a limited product portfolio to solve every application. Learn more about our System Design & Engineering capabilities and Contact Us to get started on a custom solutions specific to your application.

3 High Payback Oxidizer Retrofits for Lean Budgets

2020 has been the year many manufacturers have had to pivot into to the unknown. Your pollution control equipment must be considered as you make key business decisions. Whatever your new business landscape, Anguil is ready to assess your current equipment, production requirements, and capacities to develop a strategy that meets your emerging business needs.

Have you had to make any of these business decisions in 2020?

• Adding new process line(s) for expanded or new product offerings
• Consolidating production plants or building new facilities
• Speeding up process lines
• Changed process inputs

In the face of uncertainty and rapid change, strategic investment in your existing pollution control systems can keep you in compliance and offer opportunities for rapid return on investment (ROI). Instead of a new capital equipment purchase, consider retrofitting your existing equipment to fit tight timelines and lean budgets.

Here are three high payback equipment retrofits to consider.

Increase Capacity to Accommodate Production Changes

Add more flow to your existing oxidizer.

Anguil makes it easy to reimagine the possibilities of your pollution abatement equipment. If you have had to expand or consolidate production lines, you can retrofit your existing equipment to treat additional flow.

How to Evaluate Capacity Changes

Is the new flow over capacity of existing unit?

When evaluating capacity modifications, start by determining your current state and comparing it with the future.

• Confirm existing flow, VOC loading, and temperature to oxidizer
• Confirm new flow, VOC loading, and temperature to oxidizer

Can modifications be made to the existing unit to increase capacity?

Most of the time, the answer is yes. Review the VOC loading and confirm it does not exceed capacity of the unit type. Anguil’s engineering experts can help you confirm your capacity modification possibilities.

What components need to be upgraded to increase RTO capacity?

Once your capacity parameters are determined, several components need to be evaluated to accommodate the flow expansion.

• Upsize the Burner: Review burner system, fuel train, SFI
• Change Media Design: Review media bed design – size, depth, type of media, velocity, TER, and pressure drop, residence time
• Upsize Fan: Review fan/VFD sizing – flow, temp and pressure rating
• Add an Emission Concentrator: Reduce the flow to your oxidizer by concentrating large flows of low concentration air upstream of the inlet

Reduce Downtime with Controls Upgrades + Strategic Spares Management

Prepare for the unexpected with modern controls and critical spares

Like an insurance policy, the savviest oxidizer operators invest great care in preventive safeguards for resiliency in the face of unexpected downtime. Two high impact, low effort investments you can make to reduce downtime are oxidizer controls upgrades and strategically stocking your spare parts inventory.

Controls Upgrades 

Because your oxidizer controls will generally function without incident even with older software and hardware, you may not consider them an upgrade or replacement priority. That is, until you experience a lengthy downtime due to a PLC crash or not having spares for an obsolete system.

Anguil has extensive experience consulting with operators on their oxidizer controls needs and developing custom solutions to prevent unplanned downtime, safety and compliance risks, and obsolete part headaches.

Are you ordering replacement control panel parts from Ebay? Or struggling to find support for your obsolete control components?

While obsolete parts may function, they expose you to many risks ranging from lengthy downtime to lack of service support. Because control components work together, a failed obsolete component might not be easily replaced and may require a full controls upgrade – a 12–16-week lead time. Many common controllers and I/O components will be discontinued in 2020, including control components installed on Anguil equipment manufactured prior to 2013.

Answer: Anguil Aftermarket can help identify which components are slated to be discontinued by completing a Controls Review of your current installed components and make Controls Upgrade recommendations

Is your PLC or HMI exhibiting signs of vulnerability, such as program loss or failure?

A failed display can leave you blind when it comes to operating your oxidizer system safely. If this happens at an inopportune moment, you want to be prepared to download your HMI program to a replacement display from your spare parts inventory.

Answer: Anguil Aftermarket can perform PLC Upgrades, even if source code is unavailable. Our electrical and field service engineers will specify, supply, and install replacement hardware and supply and commission new software.

Are your oxidizer controls upholding your safety commitment?

Even if your system is using aging or obsolete components without issue, your system may not be meeting modern safety standards.

Answer: Anguil Aftermarket can review your program logic, make Operational Efficiency and Safety Improvements, and develop a custom solution.

Do you wish you had clearer insight into the workings of your oxidizer’s PLC? What if your oxidizer’s controls could be e

Hardware improvements such as a Human Machine Interface (HMI) Upgrade can provide better system control and visibility on machine operation and troubleshooting via improved graphics and diagnostics.

Answer: Anguil Aftermarket employs a user-friendly 10” HMI option that provides easy operation with a graphical overview with process values, loop bar graphs, trends, and I/O and purge interlock status. Additional upgrades such as Digital Chart Recorders and Remote Ethernet Access can unlock the full potential of modern oxidizer control technology.

Stocking Your Spare Parts Inventory

Why does my oxidizer spare parts program deserve significant attention?

• Uptime – The downtime associated with a system upset can be dramatically reduced if the right parts are immediately available on site.
• Compliance – Stocking an appropriate level of spare parts for your oxidizer system may be required by your environmental permit.
• Preparedness – Making the decision to have a well-stocked spare parts inventory could be the difference between having the needed component available in your stockroom to get your system quickly back online versus lengthy downtime, lost production revenue, and plant headache.
• Mission – Stocking an appropriate level of spare parts for your system is a vital step in a long-term commitment of environmental compliance.

How Does Anguil Determine my Recommended Spare Parts List?

Using your system process and instrumentation diagram (P&ID) and bill of materials (BOM), Anguil’s Aftermarket Experts can design a custom-tailored recommended Critical Spare Parts Package for you. Yes, we can do this for any oxidizer system regardless of manufacturer! Plus, we can supply parts for your ancillary equipment including scrubbers, concentrator wheels, and dust collectors. We tag each system component as falling into one of four categories: CRITICAL, RECOMMENDED, CONVENIENCE, and WHEN NEEDED.

What is a Critical Spare Parts Package?

A critical spare parts package bundles the most critical spare components for your system at a discounted price.

Why should I consider a Critical Spare Parts Package?

This convenient package takes the guesswork out of ordering spare parts and saves you money. In addition to meeting compliance requirements and strengthening your downtime firewall, we discount this package over the cost of ordering individual parts.

Why order spare parts through Anguil?

Anguil can simplify your parts procurement process. We know your system, so let us quickly get you the parts you need. If we don’t know your system, our engineering experts can quickly assess your system and determine your parts needs. Anguil has an expansive network of vendor relationships and enjoys priority service and advantageous pricing that we pass on to you.

Increase Thermal Energy Recovery (TER) for High Impact ROI

Improving TER with a media upgrade

Considering some enhancements to your RTO? Your RTO’s media is a key target area for high return on investment (ROI). Many operators consider media replacements primarily out of necessity due to plugging, but a lot of potential upside may be available by focusing on your media’s TER performance. Consider this:

• Up until recently, most RTOs were designed with 95% Thermal Energy Recovery (TER%) or less.
• Rule of Thumb for a self-check: If the average RTO outlet temperature is more than 100°F higher than the RTO inlet temperature, your actual TER% is probably less than 95%.
• Even a small increase in TER% can have a dramatic effect on RTO fuel usage. In some cases, a bump in TER% could eliminate RTO fuel use entirely.
• Advances in ceramic media have allowed Anguil to improve TER% in RTOs by only replacing a portion of the existing ceramic media beds, improving payback periods.
• Anguil has performed this retrofit on numerous RTOs, regardless of original manufacturer, and we offer free Savings Cost Analysis making it easy to get started.

How to Evaluate a Media Design Change

What is my current media design?

Start by determining your current state and comparing it with available possibilities. When evaluating your current media bed design, take note of the following:

• Type of media
• Bed dimensions
• Available space

What is my current media performance?

Next, determine your current process conditions to calculate your media’s current performance.

• Airflow
• Inlet temp
• VOC loading
• Combustion air from burner
• Current fan sizing and speed

What are my new design possibilities?

Look at different media suppliers and what designs are available. Important parameters to keep in mind

• Pressure drop across media beds – will it impact fan speed and possibly sizing?
• Total flow that needs to be treated – will it impact pressure drop and velocity through media?

How much savings can I expect?

The cost of your media retrofit versus your projected fuel savings will determine your ROI. For a free assessment and consultation, complete our Savings Cost Analysis. Upon submittal, an Anguil Aftermarket expert will contact you for a follow-up consultation.

As a custom solutions provider, Anguil’s team of experienced engineers will partner with you to understand your system, regardless of make, model, configuration, or manufacturer, tailoring your retrofit project to maximize system performance. Contact us to get started on your high impact retrofit project.