Plant Equipment 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
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28/10/2017
Creating a safe warehouse
Manufacturers are being hit with large fines and suffering reputational damage following entirely preventable forklift truck accidents. Training operators in the safe use of these ‘warehouse workhorses’ is paramount, as James Clark, ...
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26/08/2017
Right here, right now
Industry 4.0 is more than just a flashy catchphrase. A confluence of trends and technologies promises to reshape the way things are made – and it’s finally happening, as Mark Venables discovers
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14/05/2015
Biogas generation
Experience with growing numbers of biogas plants has been pointing up design, construction and operation problems that are resulting in higher insurance premiums.
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19/03/2015
Invest to save
Despite currently reduced energy costs, the focus on emissions and efficiency is intensifying, driven in part by the government’s ESOS. Brian Tinham reviews some often missed opportunities
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19/03/2015
Efficient energy
Combined heat and power plants have come on in leaps and bounds – and contract packages and financial incentives are making them increasingly attractive.
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23/01/2015
Energy compression
When it comes to systems delivering energy for industrial processes, compressors are among the least efficient. Modern designs, energy recovery and informed maintenance all help, but EU regulations will force change.
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09/12/2014
Firing on all four?
Heat recovery should be a burning issue for engineers and managers – whether maintaining existing boiler plant or specifying new systems. Brian Tinham looks at available technologies, and what's coming
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03/12/2014
Lay waste to poor treatment
There are many ways to clean up performance of water and effluent treatment units in industrial plants. Steed Webzell takes a look at some of them
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13/11/2014
Gearing up
Choice of gearbox type, not just sizing, is critical to the performance, efficiency, reliability and cost of any application. Brian Tinham takes advice from Brevini sales manager Dave Brown
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23/10/2014
More for less
Getting something for nothing isn't everyone's experience, but when it comes to energy efficiency it's easier than you might imagine to come close. Brian Tinham talks to Bosch Thermotechnology and Autoglym
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27/09/2014
Money for nothing
Combined heat and power is one of those rare examples of a system that breaks the rule that insists 'if something sounds too good to be true it probably is', says Ian Vallely
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23/09/2014
Bring Cinders to the ball
Steam generation and distribution plant still isn't getting the attention it deserves. Brian Tinham looks at what's required to bring this Cinderella to the high-efficiency ball.
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06/08/2014
Devil in the detail
Pump designs may not be subject to radical change these days, but the sheer variety of types and the challenges of pumping applications make this a specialist sector. Brian Tinham reports
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19/05/2014
Heat of the moment
Thermal cameras have grown in popularity as fast as prices have fallen. But, while their inspection power is immense, there are issues for the unwary, warns Brian Tinham
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19/05/2014
Carrying the can and doing a lot more besides
Conveyors are capable of far more than simply moving raw materials, components and assemblies around a factory. They can also count, weigh, sort and feed workstations... and they can have a positive impact on quality and health & safety. ...
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01/05/2014
Essential guide to...LOLER
The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) are designed to protect employees using lifting equipment such as cranes and hoists, but they can also make a significant contribution to productivity, says Ian Vallely
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19/03/2014
Power grab
Managing your factory's energy usage effectively can pay real dividends in terms of money (and planet) saved, and reputation (and comfort) enhanced, says Ian Vallely
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19/03/2014
Top 10 steam safety and efficiency tips
With the importance of steam plant to a wide range of plants, factories and other facilities, Brian Tinham talks to Greg Sutcliffe, global segment manager at Bürkert, about getting maintenance right
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14/12/2013
Challenges of biomass
With so many organisations building biomass plants and/or converting existing units to biomass fuel, Alan Fitzpatrick and Marcus Robson examine some of issues being seen by the insurance industry.
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14/12/2013
Future fuels?
Materials handling is a sweet spot for hydrogen fuel cells, according to one expert. They've been introduced in the US, with proven benefits, so why haven't they taken off in the UK? Laura Cork reports
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29/11/2013
Cream of the crop
Former BFA award winner Barfoots of Botley is generating 13,000MwH of green energy a year from vegetable waste thanks to a pair of combined heat and power units fuelled by a massive anaerobic digestion plant. Ian Vallely reports
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15/10/2013
Water features
Existing and emerging water treatment technologies are changing the game for plants and factories in more ways than many may realise.
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