Derek Real’s work in tackling the problem of magnetic fields in magnetite slurry measurement was recognised in Switzerland, where Endress+Hauser held their Annual Innovations Award and celebrated 179 new patent applications for the 2006 calenday year.
“Electromagnetic and Ultrasonic flowmeters have traditionally been used to measure magnetic slurry flows, despite their shortcomings in accuracy and stability in changing conditions,” says Derek about his innovation.
“After a casual meeting with a couple of mining consultants, I decided to undertake my own research on the concept of measuring magnetite slurries using differential measurement. I then applied that to the Gammapilot principle.
“I conducted a series of computer-based theoretical trials which proved the principle. We passed this on to our Gamma team in Germany and they created a system design for further testing at a control site in South Africa,”
Derek adds.
Mr. Real received the E+H Innovators trophy. Commenting on this achievement by one of his Product Managers, Endress+Hauser Australia’s Managing Director John Immelman said that althoghh they had access to specialised production centres around the world for each major technology, it was vital for the company’s local office to have the capacity and capability to develop solutions for their clients’ problems.