Control Automation 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.

20/02/2023 Inside London's 'super sewer' Construction of London’s new 25km-long River Thames sewer tunnel is progressing at pace, as delivery company Tideway pursues its 2025 targeted opening date. By Brian Wall » Read More

20/02/2023 Catchments: a new view of wastewater treatment When considering the cost and carbon footprint associated with conventional treatment using chemicals, can water catchment provide a more nature-based alternative? By Steed Webzell » Read More

20/02/2023 Comment: ready for the worst I am in the South Atlantic, 60 miles off the coast of Angola, although it’s a little farther to the nearest port. The sea depth here is 1,700m. We’re on a boat [an FPSO], but we can’t sail; there’s no propulsion, and are secured to the ... » Read More

20/02/2023 All about storm overflows As Southern Water recovers from a dark period, managing storm overflows is the biggest challenge that it – and the industry – faces. Water utilities use storm overflows to serve as relief valves that ensure that rain and wastewater is ... » Read More

20/02/2023 Preventing waterborne pollution disasters Marine pollution from shipping and offshore installations is a constant threat to the UK on many levels. Preparing for the worst to achieve the best is the goal of simulation exercises. By Brian Wall » Read More

20/02/2023 Test & measurement: finding the right level Non-contact FMCW level measurement technology for the food and beverage industry provides measurement accuracy while adapting to existing process connections. By Olivier Reglat, food industry manager, Krohne » Read More

20/02/2023 Thermal imaging tips and tricks Thermal cameras continue to come down in price and are entering the mainstream industrial world to provide help in maintenance and inspection tasks. However, they are not necessarily as simple to use as they appear, with the emissivity ... » Read More

20/02/2023 Four steps to prevent motor failure Arming maintenance engineers and technicians with the right tools and knowledge can help reduce overall downtime costs. By Markus Bakker, field application engineer, Fluke Corporation » Read More

20/02/2023 The proper way to do pressure testing EEMUA and SAFed have released guidance on pressure tests following a series of deaths and injuries. Each comes at the issue from a slightly different angle. By Ben Spencer » Read More

20/02/2023 Shop air gets the squeeze April 2022 saw the launch of a taskforce targeting a 10% reduction in the energy consumed by compressed air systems. Steed Webzell details the campaign’s key messages » Read More

01/02/2023 Details really do matter Dominic Dawson, chief engineer, Zurich Engineering, who is the new chair of BES, discusses the safety and compliance issues raised in last month‘s article ‘Details Matter’ » Read More

24/01/2023 Minimising the risk of summer downtime Dave Palmer, general manager for the UK and Ireland at ICS Cool Energy, explains how manufacturers can future-proof their temperature control equipment – and their productivity – against the effects of unplanned summer downtime » Read More

23/01/2023 Making the grade: gas analyser calibration and maintenance Calibrating and maintaining a gas analyser is a critical business, with the potential of fines and even plant shutdowns for any companies reporting incorrect readings » Read More

09/01/2023 Construction: levelling up National Highways has found a standardised way to measure the autonomous capabilities of construction equipment, but the technology needs to be accompanied with immediate action » Read More

09/01/2023 Zoning in on site safety People and plant working together on site present a potentially fatal interface. Might zonal working be the answer? » Read More

09/01/2023 When you’re in a hole... Environmental lobbyists are again raising concerns over methane emissions, stating that reducing them can be very effective in tackling climate change. Their finger points squarely at the oil and industry where there is demonstrable waste ... » Read More

09/01/2023 Construction: time to get risk-averse The construction industry is crying out for a statistical approach to identifying and mitigating safety risks. With the new Construction Risk Library project, it might just have arrived » Read More

09/01/2023 Construction: the call of nature New rules on improving biodiversity during the development of industrial parks are coming soon, demanding net gains in site ecology » Read More

09/01/2023 Bearing useful news A new approach to condition monitoring relies on computers making their own connections on bearing health from large datasets. By Toby Clark » Read More

09/01/2023 Heartbeat of a motor Electrical signature analysis (ESA) is an adaptable, powerful and non-invasive approach to condition monitoring in electro-mechanical equipment such as electric motors and generators. It can provide comparable diagnostic information to ... » Read More

09/01/2023 Optimising pumps for efficiency Given the global rise in energy costs, there has never been a better time to review and assess the efficiency of your pumping systems – whatever their size, complexity or indeed area of operation. Basic information and guidance on ... » Read More

09/01/2023 Ex repairs The requirements placed on the individuals and organisations involved in the repair and service of Ex-rated electromechanical equipment. By Thomas Marks, general manager and secretary of the Association for Electrical and Mechanical Trades » Read More

09/01/2023 Keeping cleanrooms clean Understanding how to monitor and properly maintain cleanroom environments is critical to guarantee the best possible performance. Tom Austin-Morgan reports on how to reduce the risk of contamination » Read More

09/01/2023 Maintaining cobots Cooperative robots (cobots) can augment job roles and come with minimal maintenance requirements. Who steps in when repairs are needed? » Read More

09/01/2023 The power of cloud-based quality management Manufacturing has a history of moving at a glacial pace when adopting new technology such as cloud-based solutions, but cloud is not new anymore. In recent years, cloud computing and SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) have begun to dominate. ... » Read More