Liquid to air heat exchanger systems boosts performance, extends life

LAIRD TECHNOLOGIES WL Series Liquid to air heat exchanger systems product line is self-contained units designed to remove a large amount of heat from densely packed electronic environments that are not conducive to conventional heat sink fans. Products provide full assembly, rather than having separate components and making them work together. Suitable for the medical and industrial markets, products maintain peak performance of high powered x-ray scanning systems by keeping the x-ray generator and tube cool. Product extends the life and improves the performance of machine tools used in CNC machining for fabricating metals.
http://www.ept.ca/pressroom/ProductDetail.aspx?id=10438

Liquid to Air Heat Exchangers offer capacities from 500-5,000 W.

Featuring self-contained design, WL Series removes heat from densely packed electronic environments that are not conducive to conventional heat sink fans. Units circulate water or water with glycol and run on AC voltage. Suited for medical and industrial markets, heat exchangers can maintain peak performance of high powered X-ray scanning systems by keeping X-ray generator and tube cool, and can extend life of machine tools used in CNC machining for fabricating metals. 

Laird Technologies Releases New WL Series Liquid Cooling Product Line

High-Performance and Long Life Operation Designed for Medical and Industrial Markets

St. Louis, Missouri, USA – Laird Technologies, Inc., a global leader in the design and supply of customized performance-critical components and systems for advanced electronics and wireless products, today announced the release of its WL Series Liquid to Air Heat Exchanger Systems product line.

The WL Series products are self-contained units designed to remove a large amount of heat from densely packed electronic environments that are not conducive to conventional heat sink fans. The WL series provides customers the benefit of investing in a full assembly, rather than having separate components and making them work together. Ideal for the medical and industrial markets, these products are able to maintain peak performance of high powered x-ray scanning systems by keeping the x-ray generator and tube cool. The WL Series also extends the life and improves the performance of machine tools used in CNC machining for fabricating metals.

“The WL Series products are ideal for the most demanding thermal management applications on the market. Heat transfer conducted by water is superior over conventional air cooled mechanisms due to its high thermal conductivity,” said Andrew Dereka, Laird Technologies Thermoelectric Product Manager. “As a result, the WL Series achieves much higher cooling capacities and heat flux densities than conventional heat sink fan mechanisms. This product family also has a unique ability to concentrate cooling at the active source and route heat away without introducing additional heat to electronics located in close proximity to the heat source.  This can be critical when heat loads are in the kilowatt range.”

The robust WL Series products use world class components sourced from brand name suppliers and are assembled through proprietary processes.  They are designed to circulate water or water with glycol (anti-freeze) and run on AC voltage. Standard cooling capacities range from 500 to 5,000 Watts. These units are manufactured to strict process control standards and pass/fail criteria that yield optimal cooling performance and reliability.

Liquid to Air Heat Exchangers offer capacities from 500-5,000 W.

Laird Technologies also has full turn-key capabilities to design custom liquid to air heat exchanger systems and offers strong engineering services to support onsite concept generation, thermal modeling, flow analysis, mechanical design, electrical design and rapid prototyping. As an industry leader in high-performance and cost-effective Thermal Management Solutions, including Thermal Interface Materials, Thermoelectric Assemblies and Thermoelectric Modules, Laird Technologies provides the knowledge, innovation, and resources to ensure exceptional thermal performance and customer satisfaction for applications in the medical and industrial markets.

Contact Information
For additional information, visit http://www.lairdtech.com or contact us at:
Americas: +1-888-246-9050 option 2
Europe: +46-31-704-67-57
Asia: +86-755-2714-1166 x374
e-mail: CLV-customerservice@lairdtech.com
http://news.thomasnet.com/fullstory/Liquid-to-Air-Heat-Exchangers-offer-capacities-from-500-5-000-W-623376

Building Heat Exchangers

Air Products Expands LNG Heat Exchanger Manufacturing in Florida

LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa., July 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — In order to stay ahead of the increasing demand for Air Products’ (NYSE: APD) world leading liquefied natural gas (LNG) technology and equipment, the company today announced plans to expand its LNG heat exchanger manufacturing capacity by constructing a second manufacturing facility at a new location in Manatee County, Florida. This location’s ready access to port services will facilitate global shipping of this very large equipment and also allow Air Products to manufacture even larger LNG heat exchangers demanded by the market.
“The number of potential LNG projects in the pipeline is at an all-time high due to the strong demand for cleaner fuels in growing economies worldwide. Additionally, several of the projects on the horizon will require the largest heat exchangers we have ever built and the new location does not face the same shipping constraints of our current location,” said Jim Solomon, director – LNG at Air Products. “We believe the site we have selected in Florida offers exactly what we need. The new facility will be built at a deepwater port location with the flexibility to produce our LNG offerings without any physical shipping restrictions.” The new 300,000 square foot LNG manufacturing facility, which will employ approximately 250 employees in a four year ramp-up period, is to be complete and begin operations in late 2013.
Sandy McLauchlin, general manager of Air Products’ LNG engineering and manufacturing, expressed appreciation for the efforts of officials from both Manatee County and state government. “As we began our site search, the Manatee County Economic Development Corporation was very helpful in identifying potential properties meeting our new facility requirements. Likewise, both local and state government officials have been very supportive of our efforts in Florida. Additionally, a number of programs were offered to Air Products to assist in assessing potential sites and supporting the tight schedule we have for construction,” said McLauchlin.
“Air Products’ investment in Florida demonstrates our success in recruiting job-producing companies that strengthen our economy as well as our business climate,” said Governor Rick Scott. “This expansion is welcome news for Manatee County and our state as a whole.”
Air Products has been manufacturing LNG heat exchangers, which may be as large as 16.5 feet (5.0 meters) in diameter, 180 feet (55 meters) long, and weigh as much as 500 tons (455 metric tonnes), at its existing Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania facility for over 45 years. In fact, the 100(th) coil wound heat exchanger made at that location just recently shipped.
“Our technology’s reputation was built on the work conducted and LNG heat exchangers manufactured at Wilkes-Barre. Due to the various constraints in the shipping process for the even larger heat exchangers that are required to satisfy the capacities forecasted to be required by customers, we needed to remove these constraints to remain globally competitive in this technology, in which we are the leader. We intend to operate both facilities for the foreseeable future in order to meet the forecasted customer demand for LNG heat exchangers of all sizes,” said McLauchlin.
Air Products’ proprietary and industry leading technology, vital to helping meet the world’s increasing energy needs and desire for clean energy, is operating in 15 countries around the globe, processing and cryogenically liquefying valuable natural gas for consumer and industrial use. Air Products’ LNG process technology and equipment is the heart of an LNG production plant. The technology, in place at some of the most remote locations around the world, takes natural gas that is essentially a stranded valuable resource, and unlocks it by liquefying it and making it possible to economically ship it around the world. The LNG is eventually re-gasified for energy use.
A majority of total worldwide LNG is produced with Air Products’ technology. Air Products has now designed, manufactured and exported 100 coil wound heat exchangers for LNG projects around the globe over the last four decades. In support of the LNG industry, Air Products provides process technology and key equipment for the heart of the natural gas liquefaction process, and also nitrogen plants for the base-load LNG facility, as well as process technology and equipment for small and mid-sized LNG plants, floating LNG plants and LNG peak shavers. Upstream, Air Products provides both nitrogen and natural gas dehydration membrane systems for offshore platforms. Downstream, Air Products provides dry inert gas generators for LNG carriers, shipboard membrane nitrogen systems, and land-based membrane and cryogenic nitrogen systems for LNG import terminals.
About Air Products
Air Products (NYSE:APD) provides atmospheric, process and specialty gases; performance materials; equipment; and technology. For over 70 years, the company has enabled customers to become more productive, energy efficient and sustainable. More than 18,000 employees in over 40 countries supply innovative solutions to the energy, environment and emerging markets. These include semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, coal gasification, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives. In fiscal 2011, Air Products had sales of approximately $10 billion. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com.
NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s reasonable expectations and assumptions as of the date of this release regarding important risk factors. Actual performance and financial results may differ materially from projections and estimates expressed in the forward-looking statements because of many factors not anticipated by management, including risk factors described in the Company’s Form 10K for its fiscal year ended September 30, 2011.


http://www.redorbit.com/news/business/1112664283/air_products_expands_lng_heat_exchanger_manufacturing_in_florida/

 

EcoDrain: Shower Heat Exchanger

EcoDrain, based in Montreal, Canada, was founded in 2005 by David Velan. Their product, the EcoDrain, is a device that transfers heat from the shower drain to the incoming hot water, alleviating the hot water heater's energy load. The EcoDrain, a is a small device that is inserted directly in the shower drain line. It has a double wall of separation, so the wastewater and fresh water won't mix. The shower heat exchanger should be installed by a plumber or contractor, and is most cost-effective when used for new construction or major renovations. According to EcoDrain, showers are typically the largest consumer of hot water in the home (up to 80%). Therefore, the company claims that the product will pay for itself because of reduced energy bills. Since EcoDrain is a relatively new product, its distribution network is limited. To purchase, you must contact the company directly. LEED Credit Overview Since it saves energy for heating hot water, EcoDrain could help to achieve the following credits in the LEED for New Construction 2009 rating system: • Energy and Atmosphere (EA) Prerequisite 2: Minimum Energy Performance (0 points) This credit establishes a minimum level of energy efficiency for buildings, based on energy costs. • EA Credit 1: Optimize Energy Performance (1-19 points) This credit rewards LEED projects for achieving energy efficiency beyond the minimum set forth in EA Prerequisite 2. Points are awarded based on the energy cost savings percentage - the higher the percentage, the greater the number of points awarded.

  http://www.green-buildings.com/content/782491-ecodrain

Air Products Celebrates Manufacturing of 100th LNG Heat Exchanger

Adorned with a banner appropriately marking the milestone occasion, Air Products' APD +2.73% employees at its Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania manufacturing facility said bon voyage to the shipment of its 100th coil wound heat exchanger today. This Air Products proprietary and industry leading technology, vital to helping meet the world's increasing energy needs and desire for clean energy, is operating in 15 countries around the globe, processing and cryogenically liquefying valuable natural gas for consumer and industrial use.

"This is a testament to both what is an excellent and world leading technology, and the Air Products employees who for decades have manufactured this equipment. There is a lot of pride that goes into every single project and to see number 100 pass through the gates on its way to another global project site is an outstanding achievement," said Steve Jones, senior vice president and general manager, Tonnage Gases, Equipment and Energy, and China president for Air Products, who was at the Wilkes-Barre facility to celebrate with employees. The unit marking the 100th liquefied natural gas (LNG) heat exchanger manufactured in Wilkes-Barre is bound for the Donggi-Senoro LNG Project in Indonesia and is targeted to be placed onstream in 2014.

LNG is growing in importance globally in addressing the world's increasing energy needs and desire for cleaner energy. Air Products' LNG process technology and equipment is the heart of an LNG production plant. "We are able to place our technology at some of the most remote locations around the world and liquefy natural gas. Air Products' LNG technology takes this natural gas, which is essentially a stranded valuable resource, and unlocks it by liquefying it and making it possible to economically ship it around the world. The LNG is eventually re-gasified for energy use," said Jones.

At Wilkes-Barre, tube bundles, separators, distributors, piping, and other components are fabricated and positioned within the heat exchanger shell. The typical heat exchanger, which may be as large as 16.5 feet (5.0 meters) in diameter, 180 feet (55 meters) long, and weigh as much as 500 tons (455 metric tonnes), is then shipped via rail to an Air Products manufacturing annex at the Kinder Morgan Fairless Terminal in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, where final assembly is completed. The heat exchangers are then loaded on a ship and travel to LNG projects far from Wilkes-Barre including to locations in Algeria, Indonesia, Nigeria, Peru and Qatar, to name only a few sites, to make LNG to supply the world.

"These are very large pieces of equipment, measuring more than half a football field (60 yards in length), to manufacture and to ship. We have successfully done this now 100 times, safely and proficiently. In fact, heat exchangers we made here and supplied more than 35 years ago for customers are still operating, and many at production rates well in excess of their original design capacity. Every time we ship one of these units, there is just a great deal of satisfaction in a job well done," said Sandy McLauchlin, general manager at Air Products' Wilkes-Barre facility.

A majority of total worldwide LNG is produced with Air Products' technology. Air Products has now designed, manufactured and exported 100 coil wound heat exchangers for LNG projects around the globe from its Wilkes-Barre facility over the last four decades. In support of the LNG industry, Air Products provides process technology and key equipment for the heart of the natural gas liquefaction process, and also nitrogen plants for the baseload LNG facility, as well as process technology and equipment for small and mid-sized LNG plants, floating LNG plants, and LNG peak shavers. Upstream, Air Products provides both nitrogen and natural gas dehydration membrane systems for offshore platforms. Downstream, Air Products provides dry inert gas generators for LNG carriers, shipboard membrane nitrogen systems, and land-based membrane and cryogenic nitrogen systems for LNG import terminals.

About Air Products

Air Products APD +2.73% provides atmospheric, process and specialty gases; performance materials; equipment; and technology. For over 70 years, the company has enabled customers to become more productive, energy efficient and sustainable. More than 18,000 employees in over 40 countries supply innovative solutions to the energy, environment and emerging markets. These include semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, coal gasification, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives. In fiscal 2011, Air Products had sales of approximately $10 billion. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com .

NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on management's reasonable expectations and assumptions as of the date of this release regarding important risk factors. Actual performance and financial results may differ materially from projections and estimates expressed in the forward-looking statements because of many factors not anticipated by management, including risk factors described in the Company's Form 10K for its fiscal year ended September 30, 2011. 

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/air-products-celebrates-manufacturing-of-100th-lng-heat-exchanger-2012-07-11

Air Products Celebrates Manufacturing of 100th LNG Heat Exchanger

Adorned with a banner appropriately marking the milestone occasion, Air Products' APD +2.73% employees at its Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania manufacturing facility said bon voyage to the shipment of its 100th coil wound heat exchanger today. This Air Products proprietary and industry leading technology, vital to helping meet the world's increasing energy needs and desire for clean energy, is operating in 15 countries around the globe, processing and cryogenically liquefying valuable natural gas for consumer and industrial use.

"This is a testament to both what is an excellent and world leading technology, and the Air Products employees who for decades have manufactured this equipment. There is a lot of pride that goes into every single project and to see number 100 pass through the gates on its way to another global project site is an outstanding achievement," said Steve Jones, senior vice president and general manager, Tonnage Gases, Equipment and Energy, and China president for Air Products, who was at the Wilkes-Barre facility to celebrate with employees. The unit marking the 100th liquefied natural gas (LNG) heat exchanger manufactured in Wilkes-Barre is bound for the Donggi-Senoro LNG Project in Indonesia and is targeted to be placed onstream in 2014.

LNG is growing in importance globally in addressing the world's increasing energy needs and desire for cleaner energy. Air Products' LNG process technology and equipment is the heart of an LNG production plant. "We are able to place our technology at some of the most remote locations around the world and liquefy natural gas. Air Products' LNG technology takes this natural gas, which is essentially a stranded valuable resource, and unlocks it by liquefying it and making it possible to economically ship it around the world. The LNG is eventually re-gasified for energy use," said Jones.

At Wilkes-Barre, tube bundles, separators, distributors, piping, and other components are fabricated and positioned within the heat exchanger shell. The typical heat exchanger, which may be as large as 16.5 feet (5.0 meters) in diameter, 180 feet (55 meters) long, and weigh as much as 500 tons (455 metric tonnes), is then shipped via rail to an Air Products manufacturing annex at the Kinder Morgan Fairless Terminal in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, where final assembly is completed. The heat exchangers are then loaded on a ship and travel to LNG projects far from Wilkes-Barre including to locations in Algeria, Indonesia, Nigeria, Peru and Qatar, to name only a few sites, to make LNG to supply the world.

"These are very large pieces of equipment, measuring more than half a football field (60 yards in length), to manufacture and to ship. We have successfully done this now 100 times, safely and proficiently. In fact, heat exchangers we made here and supplied more than 35 years ago for customers are still operating, and many at production rates well in excess of their original design capacity. Every time we ship one of these units, there is just a great deal of satisfaction in a job well done," said Sandy McLauchlin, general manager at Air Products' Wilkes-Barre facility.

A majority of total worldwide LNG is produced with Air Products' technology. Air Products has now designed, manufactured and exported 100 coil wound heat exchangers for LNG projects around the globe from its Wilkes-Barre facility over the last four decades. In support of the LNG industry, Air Products provides process technology and key equipment for the heart of the natural gas liquefaction process, and also nitrogen plants for the baseload LNG facility, as well as process technology and equipment for small and mid-sized LNG plants, floating LNG plants, and LNG peak shavers. Upstream, Air Products provides both nitrogen and natural gas dehydration membrane systems for offshore platforms. Downstream, Air Products provides dry inert gas generators for LNG carriers, shipboard membrane nitrogen systems, and land-based membrane and cryogenic nitrogen systems for LNG import terminals.

About Air Products

Air Products APD +2.73% provides atmospheric, process and specialty gases; performance materials; equipment; and technology. For over 70 years, the company has enabled customers to become more productive, energy efficient and sustainable. More than 18,000 employees in over 40 countries supply innovative solutions to the energy, environment and emerging markets. These include semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, coal gasification, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives. In fiscal 2011, Air Products had sales of approximately $10 billion. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com .

NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on management's reasonable expectations and assumptions as of the date of this release regarding important risk factors. Actual performance and financial results may differ materially from projections and estimates expressed in the forward-looking statements because of many factors not anticipated by management, including risk factors described in the Company's Form 10K for its fiscal year ended September 30, 2011. 

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/air-products-celebrates-manufacturing-of-100th-lng-heat-exchanger-2012-07-11

Heat exchanger testing co AcousticEye raises $6m

Non-invasive heat exchanger tube inspection company AcousticEye Inc. has raised $6 million in its second financing round from Israel Cleantech Ventures Funds and Sequoia Capital. The company will use the proceeds for R&D and global commercialization of its solutions.

AcousticEye has developed Acoustic Pulse Reflectometry (APR) technology for non-destructive testing of heat exchangers and boilers tubes. The company's Dolphin G3 system can inspect boilers, fin fans, and other heat exchangers regardless of tube shape or material. In March, the company said that it had sold more than 50 of its systems. Founded in 2005, it is headquartered in The Netherlands, has a development center in Israel, and offices across the US and Europe.

AcousticEye CEO Yoav Harel said, “Our system has been utilized in many of the industry’s most challenging jobs, inspecting hundreds of thousands of tubes with accurate results and speed that are impossible using today’s conventional techniques. With our technology approach now validated in the industry, we are intently focused on achieving next stage growth that will firmly establish AcousticEye as a game-changing solution provider."

ICV venture associate Matan Friedman said, "AcousticEye has introduced a disruptive technology for tube inspection that delivers major advantages for users to significantly reduce operational costs and contribute directly to improved profitability."

Sequoia general partner Gili Raanan added, “We back companies that are transforming their industries. AcousticEye… is well placed to make tube inspection more efficient and affordable for many more companies around the world."

http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000751636&fid=1725

Research: Heat Exchangers Cut Heating Costs by Half

CANADA - Research conducted by the Prairie Swine Centre has shown selecting the right system for heating the swine barn can cut heating costs by half, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Following a benchmarking survey conducted to assess energy use in swine barns and identify areas where energy could be saved researchers with the Saskatoon based Prairie Swine Centre compared the energy costs associated with conventional forced convection air heaters fired with natural gas, heat exchangers which recover waste heat and ground source heat pumps or geothermal systems.

Research scientist engineering Dr Bernardo Predicala says the work was prompted by concerns raised by producers over increasing energy costs.

Dr Bernardo Predicala-Prairie Swine Centre

Heating a barn is the area where most of the energy is used so as a result of that we looked at different alternative heating systems that can be applied in a barn to see if these different heating systems can translate into savings.

What we did is, over the last couple of years, we installed these different types of heating systems in rooms within our barn and we collected the actual energy consumption, the temperature, the air quality in the these different rooms under these different heating systems.

We found out that the heat recovery ventilator systems actually reduced total energy use by as much as 54 percent.

As for the geothermal heating system, we're still continuing our work on that because apart from heating it also has some functions for cooling the barn during the during the summer so we haven't done a complete trial on that aspect yet.

Hopefully when all these studies have been conducted this will lead to a significant reduction in energy use for different barn operations and, of course, a reduction in total cost of production for pig production.

Information gathered through this study is being used to develop software producers will be able to use to calculate what these various systems would cost to install and operate on their own farms.

http://www.thepigsite.com/swinenews/29531/research-heat-exchangers-cut-heating-costs-by-half

HRS Heat Exchangers: helping to improve overall efficiency of gas compressor installations

HRS Heat Exchangers Limited, a leading heat transfer specialist for the process industries, has recently supplied Gas Compressors Ltd. with an HRS K37 multi-tube corrugated shell and tube heat exchanger for a compressor installation that maintains natural gas supply pressure to a gas turbine at the Saica Paper mills.

Gas Compressors Ltd. is a single source, plug and play, supplier offering a complete package to our clients. GCL specialise in the design, manufacture and commissioning of large and medium sized, custom built/bespoke gas compressor and booster packages for use in the Oil & Gas, Power Generation, Landfill, Water, Renewable and Petrochemical Industries. We are flexible and not tied to any particular sub-vendors, compressor manufacturers or compressor technologies.

The 4m long heat exchanger cools the 9300nm3/hr gas supply after compression, which is required to maintain feed pressure to the turbine in periods of high local demand and so ensure uninterrupted operation 24/7. The heat exchanger also condenses out any water vapour present in the gas composition.

High overall efficiency of the installation is ensured by the patented design of the HRS corrugated tube heat exchanger that achieves the required heat transfer to reduce the gas temperature from 90°C to 45°C with a very low pressure loss. The corrugated tube design also enables the heat exchanger to made considerably smaller than a comparable smooth tube unit, saving both space and cost. The combination of 32.5bar g design pressure and natural gas meant that the heat exchanger was required to meet the very demanding category IV PED (EU Pressure Equipment Directive) requirements.

Commenting on the partnership, Tony Silk, Head of Sales for Gas Compressors Ltd. stated, “We take great pride in customer service and our top quality, unique, packages. We are careful to provide the customer with their exact requirements, including delivering on time and continuity of care throughout our projects. This installation is one of a number implemented in cooperation with HRS over a period of some 10 years, an on-going partnership that helps us to maintain our very high standards”.

Priya Murray, Technical Manager, HRS Heat Exchangers explained, “This is a very demanding application: good heat transfer is normally only achieved by high gas velocity and a corresponding high pressure loss that reduces the efficiency of the whole installation. Our corrugated tube design reduces pressure loss to deliver the efficiency required and occupies less space.”

About HRS Heat Exchangers Limited

HRS Heat Exchangers Limited (part of the HRS Group) is a leading international heat transfer specialist offering innovative solutions to the processing industry.

Headquartered in the UK, HRS Heat Exchangers operates at the forefront of processing technology and for over 30 years has designed, manufactured and sold heat exchangers and heat transfer technology to many different industries.

HRS products and system solutions have been used in such sectors as HVAC, Food, Chemical, Pharmaceutical, Water supply, Energy Recovery, Waste to energy and Environmental protection. All HRS products are manufactured to ISO 9001 and comply with the European PED, and are also certified to the ASME “U” stamp standard.

HRS Heat Exchangers Ltd offers a wide range of heat exchangers and associated products including corrugated tube shell and tube, scraped surface and plate heat exchangers, together with a hygienic piston pump and packages such as Pasteurisers, CIP and Food processing systems. HRS also manufactures a patented self-cleaning scraped surface evaporator system for solids concentration.

HRS has offices in Spain, Germany, USA, Peru, Dubai, Kuala Lumpur and India as well as manufacturing and assembly plants in the UK, India, Dubai and Spain. 
http://www.technologynewsroom.com/press_releases/company_releases.aspx?story=1967