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 many benefits of becoming an SOE member, please click here.

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01/06/2006 Raising the ante on safety

While lifts and lifting operations have generally become much safer certainly than when passenger lifts first made their appearance during the 19th Century handling and lifting are still the largest source of industrial accidents in the ... » Read More

01/06/2006 Massive effort to take control

Wasting compressed air is like watching money go up in smoke. People too often treat compressed air as if it is as free as the air around us, when in fact it's the most expensive utility available. This is because compressors turn around ... » Read More

01/04/2006 Planting seeds of recovery

There is a part of all of us that agrees with the notion 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it'. But, equally, when it comes to plant maintenance and operations, the purpose of this activity is to minimise the risk to the business of expensive ... » Read More

01/02/2006 Safety and savings

Compressed air continues to offer many advantages in process industry applications, especially in hazardous areas, but often continues to be used inefficiently. Help - much of it free - is readily available to help reduce energy costs and ... » Read More

01/02/2006 Pollution Solution

Whether you look at the heavy engineering manufacturers, pharmaceutical, petro-chemical, or continuous process industries, copious volumes of dust and fumes are generated. These fumes and dusts have to be processed before they can be ... » Read More

01/12/2005 Under pressure

The use of compressed air systems in manufacturing and process industries is said to account for some 10-15% of energy consumption, and they are found in almost every area of economic activity. The applications and use of compressed air ... » Read More

01/12/2005 Stem the flow

These days, industrial lubrication has two main purposes: first, to ensure by some mechanical, electronic or outsourced human means that machine mechanisms receive timely lubrication; and, secondly, that this lubrication should be as ... » Read More

01/10/2005 Water waste batters cashflow

Headlines about water shortages in the UK have featured heavily in the media in recent years - with threats of hosepipe bans and other rationing measures a regular occurrence. While businesses are often unaffected in the short term, the ... » Read More

01/10/2005 Turning up the heat

At any stage in every manufacturing process, the application of heat to the workpiece or product is required - whether that is in the drying of paper or cellulose films, to the curing of rubber or painted surfaces. Within industry, the use ... » Read More

01/10/2005 All fired up

Fortum O&M (UK) operates and maintains the Grangemouth combined heat and power plant (CHP), which supplies power and steam to BP's Grangemouth complex, Scotland's largest industrial site and one of the biggest, most integrated oil and gas ... » Read More

01/08/2005 Water and Environment - Water, water everywhere...

With rapidly rising populations, coupled with the effects of global warming, water is becoming an increasingly sought-after commodity in nations both developed and developing. » Read More

06/06/2005 Pumps and Valves - Benefits flow from new technology

The combination of innovative technology with radical changes in manufacturing processes is a key factor in improving the total cost of ownership of pumps and valves. Cost-conscious buyers are looking for solutions that are not ... » Read More

06/06/2005 Lubrication - Smooth operator

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of lubrication-free chain products on the market - and manufacturers are continuing to develop more. But why do we need so many different types of lubrication-free chain ... » Read More

06/06/2005 Lifting & handling - Tell tail signs

'One of the most highly-regulated pieces of ancillary equipment currently available for fitment to a vehicle, with specific responsibilities placed on the equipment manufacturer, installer, specifier and/or operator.' These words appear in ... » Read More

06/06/2005 Lifting & handling - No pipe dream

Oil and gas pipelines could be built at up to five times the rate they are at present. This could be achieved with trains of tracked vehicles up to half a kilometre long, supported in remote and inaccessible areas by airships with lifting ... » Read More

04/04/2005 SED Preview - The great outdoors

If you want to see construction plant and machinery demonstrated in as near as possible realistic working conditions, as opposed to simply static displays, Site Equipment Demonstration (SED) is the show for you. It has the largest assembly ... » Read More

04/04/2005 Energy Efficiency - Technology advances make for energy saving

There are many ways in which plant and factory operators can improve energy efficiency. Some are simple, but many rely on taking advantage of the latest advances in technology. » Read More

01/02/2005 Risk Management - Taking the pressure

Before 1989, the Factories Act 1961 detailed the requirements for the examination of, and reporting on, steam and air plant within the power industry by the Competent Person (often the insurance company). Where water tube boilers were ... » Read More

01/02/2005 Dust and Fume Control: Clearing the Air

Implementing dust and fume control measures is key to providing a safe working environment, with current legislation and best practice extending the scope of control well beyond the factory. Where activity is undertaken that gives rise to ... » Read More

01/02/2005 Compressed Air - Maintaining a safe system

Regulation 12 of the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations (PSSR) is very short and simple, as these things go: "The user of an installed system and the owner of a mobile system shall ensure that the system is properly maintained in good ... » Read More

01/02/2005 The key to 'greener' energy - advanced plant

It is increasingly obvious that only a combination of engineering technologies is likely to be able to meet the world's growing energy needs in the near term without totally destroying its climate and environment. » Read More

06/12/2004 Water and Effluent Treatment - Where there's sludge, there's money

A new sewage treatment works sets new standards for reduction of pollutants in its effluents, its odour-free operation, easy and safe access for maintenance operators, and attentions to the requirements of new regulations such as ATEX. » Read More

06/12/2004 Motors - Evolution in design, revolution in efficiency

Managing your motors for efficiency and reliability can be a headache at the best of times. And with discounted energy for industry perhaps set to disappear, against a backdrop of emissions regulations, then clearly it's not becoming any ... » Read More

06/12/2004 Hot water systems - Better tanks give quick and clean hot water

Hot water tanks made by a small German company use a patented system to ensure that they deliver hot water soon after heat has been applied to the water. This makes them especially suited to systems fuelled by solar energy. » Read More

01/10/2004 Pumps & Valves - Process Machinery - a troubleshooting guide

Every piece of process machinery is purchased to be installed, operated, and play its part in making a profit for the plant operator. When a problem arises with a piece of equipment that causes concern to the operator and starts to affect ... » Read More

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