Posted on June 26th, 2008
The Burns team snapped a few photos at the FEW Expo…
What the talk is all about… 
Our friends from Yokogawa.
Some great guys at UNIVAR…….
…..
Did you grab a bobber at the BURNS booth?
Proof that there is more to producing Ethanol than Ethanol..
……………………………………………Food, Fuel, Feed.
Many of the organizations at the FEW event offered various perspectives regarding some of the controversy in the industry.
Fagen Inc. had this sign in their booth…
An interesting and informative Expo….
What were your observations or questions about Ethanol? Click the comment button and share…
Chuck
Posted on June 18th, 2008
Home from the FEW event?
Interested in what’s happening in the Ethanol Industry?
Have a few thoughts about Ethanol and want to be in conversation?
Here are three places to engage…
.
.
.
> Burns BEblog… we’ll stay connected from the temperature measurement perspective. Also check out the Ethanol page.
Sponsored by Ethanol Producer Magazine, Jessica Sobolik Managing Editor
.
.
> The FEW Blog.
> Talking Stalk Blog, with Tom Bryan…
Stay in touch and share your experience and wisdom about the Ethanol Industry, critical temperature measurement and all the challenges we face in the world of energy consumption and sources…
Chuck
Posted on June 17th, 2008
Ethanol and it’s expansive support industry at the FEW Event have rushed the gates at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center. They are talking everything from filter bag systems, mixers, bacteria issues, biodiesel, fermentation and thermal oxidizers…. The conversation even dipped into the area of CIP (Clean in Place), posing the question, “Should the Ethanol fermentation process move toward the sanitary guidelines similar to the food and beverage industry?” This was driven by the co-product “Distillers Grain” entering into the food stream through the animal feed.
The Expo opened Monday evening, breaking the ice with a Grand Opening and massive social in the expo arena. The spirit in the room was an interesting mix of excitement, passion and commitment to all the good aspects and value of Ethanol as a clean and renewable fuel energy source. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t questions and concerns about the interdependency with the other uses of corn, and the economic complexities as the ethanol industry grows…. It sounds like these folks are aware of all of this, and are committed to being good stewards of the resources they consume and at the same time looking for additional Sugar & starch sources to balance the demand for corn. One alternate fermentation product being discussed is ALGAE! Now that’s being creative!
More later from on the Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo and the passionate folks in attendance.
What are your thoughts and concerns about Ethanol… Click the comment button above and tell us your thoughts.
Chuck�
Jim Burns has used a key phrase in nearly every communication to our various stakeholders. That phrase is “Who we are and what we do…” It seems to fit every aspect of the Burns vision, intention and values, guiding our interactions and purpose with all stakeholders: employees, suppliers, customers, contractors, representatives, distributors….It’s about being true to who Burns, as an organization, has been and is today!
It’s about being consistent and honest with what we do, what we are experts at, what our sweet spot is, and how we serve and resolve problems and challenges for our stakeholders. (By the way, that’s the fun part!)
So, it seemed logical and effective to use the initials of Burns Engineering, “BE”, to build statements and phrases around describing who and how we will be for each other and for all the friends of Burns. These phrases such as BE in conversation, BE temperature experts, BE creative, BE confident, BE relieved, effectively drive our thinking, behavior and intentions to support “Who we are and What we do…”
Join us in the conversation through the BEblog or by registering on the Web Site to discover, design and create temperature products and systems to serve your success, and we promise to achieve, change and improve to continually serve you, and all Burns stakeholders.
Thanks for joining Burns on this journey.
Chuck
The MCAA 2008 Industry Forum 
wrapped today with an exciting and powerful exchange between the Members and representatives from 6 product approval agencies; FM, TUV, CSA, UL, Intertek, MET.
The members of MCAA were open, honest and frank with the testing lab representatives, directly sharing their experience, frustrations and disappointments with the level of service and perceived value.
What I observed was a large group of very passionate members of industry exchanging points of view with equally passionate representatives from the testing and approval labs.
In the end, there was a list of recommendations, a commitment to improvement and a better understanding of the needs and challenges for all involved.
Burns Engineering believes that through conversation an amazing level of understanding and be achieved. That understanding can lead to improved relationships between organizations as was created by the conversation at the 2008 forum. That conversation has also lead to a high level of problem solving and creative product development to support those we serve.
It was a great experience. Thank you MCAA for taking the bold step to facilitate the conversation, and Congratulation to both the MCAA members and the 6 agency representatives for your strength and commitment to a better future together.
Have you seen the power of this level of conversation? We would love to hear about it.
Chuck�
Hi all,
This weekend was the Fishing opener in Minnesota and last weekend in Wisconsin. I didn’t get a chance to get out, but I am curious about the water temperature. 
Maybe someday we’ll will install PRT’s in the main fishing lakes around the country. Maybe the underwater probe. It’s fish friendly. See previous post; Burns PRT goes swimming.
What did you find at your favorite fishing spot? Click the comment button and tell us where you “wet a line” and what the water was like.
Chuck
Posted on April 22nd, 2008
Posted on April 21st, 2008
Originally design in 1975, the Burns Engineering Underwater PRT has found itself serving many submerged needs in industries from Power generation to Paper processing; helping to protect the delicate aquatic environment.
In Minnesota it’s all about the Walleye…
The Burns Underwater PRT spends so much time underwater it’s beginning to grow gills
In my search, DNR within every state in the US has regulation and guidelines for Industrial water discharge temperature to insure protection of the lakes, rivers and streams.
.
We all have a responsibility to care for our world. This is one way Burns Engineering supports a Greener Globe!
What can we do to help you protect the environment?
Chuck
Posted on April 15th, 2008
The Engineering folks at Burns are always looking for interesting temperature measurements and devices. Well here are a few of our latest finds. These are not typical PRT’s or RTD’s. They are unique and highly custom applications of classic technology and cutting edge brilliance.
If you have a fever or are planning a climb of Mt Everest you may find this device of interest. The ultimate Sanitary RTD.
Remember, it’s for single use only..
From Nova, Jan 2006; the Thermal Radio Pill was presented as part of the article on understanding the health issues during high altitude climbs.
This next device called a Shot Noise Thermometer presented by Yale in 2006 is nearly Quantum Physics based technology. This idea relates noise, not audible noise but electrical noise, to temperature. The intention is to develop this device into an operating primary standard for temperature down to 0.01 Kelvin. Calibration of this device is certainly a metrology challenge, covering multiple measurement techniques and requiring sub-millikelvin combined uncertainties.
In the area of Quantum Mechanics, is Nanotechnology. The International Nanotechnology Business directory shows some Nano-Pictures. Take a look! Then come back and see what Nanoway Cryoelectronics , a company in Finland is working on. Nanoway is launching a test program for their CBT (Coulomb Blockade thermometer) sensor chip. This Nano based device operates in the near absolute zero range.
We just thought these were fascinating and wanted to share.
Have you seen any interesting temperature measurement devices lately?
Click on the comment button above to share some of your discoveries!
Thanks
Chuck
Posted on April 7th, 2008
Greg Hale from Intech, on his blog “Talk to Me“ shares a bit about MEP(Manufacturing Extension Partnership), a subsidiary of NIST.
Looks like collaboration and a desire to serve. Hard to argue with that!
If you have any experience engaging with the MEP organization, the folks at Burns would love to hear about it. Click the comment button above and share.
Chuck
…..
……………………………………………Food, Fuel, Feed.
