Controlling Temperature in Paint Booth Heat Exchange Systems

Jaguar. Ford. Ferrari. Three iconic automakers with storied racing pedigrees that have made some of the fastest and most beautiful cars in the world, each draped in a coat of paint of their own signature color: British Racing Green, Ford’s Grabber Blue, and Ferrari’s Rosso Corsa.

Beyond providing a bit of personality and character, a car’s paint also serves a practical purpose: protecting the body, frame, and other components from the elements, preventing rust and corrosion from destroying the raw material underneath. The earliest paint jobs were done by craftsmen such as furniture makers and carriage builders who applied varnish primers and oil-based enamel paints by hand. These finishes were inky, with low opacity and coverage, requiring multiple coats and lengthy drying times. And even with all that work involved, the paint would soon become brittle and start chipping away. Continue reading “Controlling Temperature in Paint Booth Heat Exchange Systems”

Storing Food Safely: How Dwyer Can Help Meet HACCP Refrigeration Control Standards

Unless it’s recently stopped running (or run away), you probably haven’t paid much attention to your refrigerator lately. Despite enjoying status among the largest and most frequently used appliances in your home, the refrigerator is a bit of an unsung hero, quietly humming away in your kitchen, keeping lettuce crisp and ice cream velvety smooth. But refrigeration is about so much more than fresh greens and tasty frozen treats; the humble fridge is also the first line of defense against foodborne illness.

Historical trivia: The first practical, ice-cooled refrigerator rail car was invented in Chicago for Swift & Co. in 1878, revolutionizing the meat packing industry and changing the way we eat forever. (Wikipedia – Gustavus Franklin Swift)

According to the CDC, there are 31 pathogens known to cause foodborne illness. In the United States, these pathogens, including norovirus, salmonella, and even Staphylococcus aureus (Staph), are responsible for an estimated 9.4 million cases annually. Many of these cases go beyond typical food poisoning symptoms, resulting in 56,000 hospitalizations and 1,300 deaths.

Continue reading “Storing Food Safely: How Dwyer Can Help Meet HACCP Refrigeration Control Standards”

Protecting Lunar Samples from Contamination

Moon Rock Containment Chamber in the Johnson Space Center in Houston

For as long as humanity has been looking up at the sky, we’ve wondered what lay beyond the ground beneath our feet. When the astronauts of the Apollo 11 mission took their first steps in 1969, the world saw a future filled with spaceships and rockets. We dreamed of a lack of gravity, fueled by grainy images on a TV and the words of Neil Armstrong: “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.” The Apollo 17 mission in 1972 was the last trip to the moon for several decades.

Lunar science has become a thriving field of study which helps to define our knowledge of the formation of the universe. The lunar rock and soil samples gathered by Apollo astronauts are still studied to this day. 

Continue reading “Protecting Lunar Samples from Contamination”

Monitoring Center Pivot Irrigation Systems

You arrive at a large field, small sprouts peeking out of the soil. At the center of the field lies a structure connected to a span of pipe from which sprinklers hang. Trusses brace and support its weight. From the air, this field would appear to be a perfectly circular patch of green.

Center pivot irrigation systems are one of many ways to distribute water to crops. As its name suggests, this method involves rotating around a central pivot point. When the machine rotates, it releases water from the sprinklers and irrigates crops. (Agrivi.com) By using this system, farmers can ensure a uniform application of water across an entire field.  Continue reading “Monitoring Center Pivot Irrigation Systems”