Maintenance, Repair and Operations Feature Library

Operations Engineer's library catalogues editorial features going back five years.

Access to all archive material is free to all, including non-members of IPlantE (the Institution of Operations Engineers) or BES (Bureau of Engineer Surveyors), under the umbrella of SOE (Society of Operations Engineers). However, to discover the many benefits of becoming an SOE member, please click here.

01/12/2021 Maintaining frequency inverters Failure modes, inspection and maintenance, diagnostics and troubleshooting, as well as the general checks for non-specialists: all are covered in this overview article by Jody Muelaner » Read More

11/11/2021 PPE: Up close and personal In the wake of supply failures and often mediocre quality PPE equipment during the pandemic, a new conformity assessment process is now in force for placing all forms of such protective wear on the market. By Brian Wall » Read More

05/10/2021 Tracking carbon in construction product manufacturing At the Energy Management Exhibition (24-25 November), SOE is presenting a panel discussion on reducing energy consumption. It features members working across industry. Also speaking is Matthew Jenkinson, Tarmac Alfreton senior site ... » Read More

30/09/2021 Overhead crane maintenance Electric overhead travelling cranes are a staple tool in many industrial facilities. A thorough inspection and maintenance regime is essential to keep them in prime condition. By Brian Wall » Read More

16/09/2021 The biggest pumps in the world? Among the largest pumps made for industry are the reactor coolant pumps used in modern PWR, pressurised water reactor-type nuclear power plants such as Sizewell B in Suffolk, and Hinkley Point C, currently being built. Each 10m-tall ... » Read More

16/09/2021 Pump retrofit beyond the bearing housing Sulzer examines pump retrofit options outside of the bearing housing for single-stage overhung pumps to improve reliability and reduce operating costs » Read More

18/08/2021 Keeping your compressor in tip-top condition Portable diesel- and petrol-powered compressors play a critical role in providing the air that drives pneumatic tools. But why do they suddenly fail sometimes, bringing a project to a grinding halt – and what can be done to prevent this ... » Read More

12/08/2021 Inspection shutdowns in UK AGR nuclear power plants UK nuclear power plants including Heysham 1, Torness and Hinkley Point B have recently undergone shutdowns that have included inspections for cracks in their graphite core. Such work has gained a new sense of urgency in the past few years, ... » Read More

22/07/2021 How to implement maintenance systems Philipp Wallner, industry manager, industrial automation & machinery at MathWorks (developer of mathematical computing software tools including MATLAB and Simulink), offers his advice » Read More

08/07/2021 The cleaning power of pigging Build-up in pipelines can cause slowdowns, and even cracks or flaws that sometimes prove catastrophic. Pipeline pigging has established itself as a powerful ally in helping to overcome such issues. By Brian Wall » Read More

25/06/2021 Learning how to interpret a vibration signal from rotating machinery Vibration analysis is a powerful way of looking at rotating machinery, not just for one-off diagnosis of a problem but for ongoing machine condition monitoring. There are recognised routes to learn how to do this. By Toby Clark » Read More

17/06/2021 Avoid forking out on costly repairs Every forklift requires care from both a safety and operational perspective, but failing to make the right calls can prove expensive » Read More

10/06/2021 Lift-off for no-logo diagnostics A greater number of third parties are now accessing data for lift diagnostics, ending reliance on OEM maintenance contracts. By Steed Webzell » Read More

29/04/2021 Constant top-up Although automatic lubrication systems don’t do away with servicing requirements altogether – they still need to be checked and replenished – such systems do offer plants greater confidence that rotating equipment will not run dry. By ... » Read More

29/04/2021 Green lubrication Technological developments are breaking down the traditional division between eco-friendly and high-performance industrial lubricants. The developments are being pushed by consumer demand. By Jody Muelaner » Read More

11/03/2021 Small bore, big problem: a guide to prevent corrosion in tubing More delicate than pipework, small-bore tubing can still resist even highly corrosive offshore environments, if the right materials are specified and installed properly. If not, damage can lead to dangerous and costly leaks. By Deborah ... » Read More

11/02/2021 Thermal imaging to pinpoint methane leaks Methane is roughly 30 times more potent as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide – which has made detecting and tackling the massive leakages across the oil & gas industry ever more urgent, reports Brian Wall » Read More

04/02/2021 Artificial intelligence: thinking IT out loud Sealing solutions provider Trelleborg explains some of its projects in the emerging areas of artificial intelligence and machine learning and the benefits of the technology to industry » Read More

04/02/2021 Proactive plate heat exchanger maintenance Regardless of industry, engineers are finding themselves tasked with doing more with less. This has led some to adopt a run-to-failure approach to their equipment. But this approach could prove costly. By Andrew Peacock, service manager, ... » Read More

21/01/2021 The uses of ultrasound inspection Ultrasound is especially good at early detection of bearing faults, lubricant condition, leaks, discharge in electrical systems and steam trap monitoring. Unlike vibration analysis, it generally doesn’t require detailed knowledge of the ... » Read More

07/01/2021 Condition monitoring and vibration analysis best practice guide Vibration analysis is not condition monitoring, and condition monitoring is not vibration analysis. Their similarities and differences, their uses and technicalities are explored here. By Colin Pickett, independent consultant, formerly ... » Read More

17/12/2020 Transport & distribution: Dock, stock and barrel Loading bays may consist of more than a poured concrete ledge and rubber bumpers. Equipment including dock levellers, doors and bay shelters facilitating operations also require care and maintenance. By John Challen » Read More

10/12/2020 Step change at Blackpool Tower Blackpool Tower’s 126-year-old external staircase is to be removed as part of a wider renovation project. A decision on how the staircase will be replaced is being evaluated. By Brian Wall » Read More

03/12/2020 SKF builds a new model to better understand hybrid bearing performance For more than 50 years, hybrid bearings, which use ceramic silicon nitride rolling elements and steel rings, have been the preferred choice for high-speed, high-precision equipment. After a recently-completed testing programme, SKF ... » Read More

03/12/2020 Augmented reality and engineering projects Augmented reality (AR) has been on the ‘emerging technology trend’ list for many years, but initially saw a slow adoption curve. However, a variety of real-world applications are beginning to emerge. Has the time come to take AR seriously? ... » Read More