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.

07/12/2011 Adding value Talk to Lean specialists and, surprisingly, they'll tell you the real deal in equipment service is not planned, nor even preventive maintenance. Brian Tinham talks to Dennis McCarthy about how transform engineering » Read More

07/12/2011 Energy efficiency is effective now Just a few short weeks ago, npower raised concerns that, with the UK's wide portfolio of energy regulations, this country simply cannot now raise the investment to build the low carbon future to which it is already committed. » Read More

06/10/2011 ABB controls cut Tata Steel’s oxygen costs ABB control systems are helping Tata Steel cut the cost of iron production at its Scunthorpe plant, by allowing it to use medium pressure oxygen in its blast furnaces. » Read More

06/10/2011 Weg variable speed drive pays back for Rittal-CSM Plymouth-based Rittal-CSM reports completion of the latest stage of its energy saving carbon reduction programme; with Drew & Co installing more efficient pump controls at its paint plant. » Read More

06/10/2011 Gorgon’s Ex-lighting saves local sea turtle population Cooper Crouse-Hinds reports that it has engineered an explosion-proof fluorescent light fitting for the Chevron-operated Gorgon project, at Barrow Island, that specifically minimises disturbance of the local sea turtle population. » Read More

06/10/2011 Swedish tank farm stays safe with Emerson wireless FH Tank Storage is using Emerson Process Management's Rosemount wireless level and pressure transmitters to provide overspill protection at its 13,000m3 68-tank Kalmar storage terminal, in Sweden. » Read More

06/10/2011 On a hire plane When it comes to obtaining new equipment, plant engineers might want to consider renting before – or even instead of – committing to that cost. Brian Wall looks at the cost benefits » Read More

06/10/2011 Full flow fluid power As hydraulic and pneumatic systems continue to evolve, Steed Webzell weighs up the latest innovations benefiting static and mobile plant operations » Read More

06/10/2011 Hazardous electrics Hazardous areas demand properly certified equipment – and that applies to maintenance kit, too. But cost and efficiency are also key. Gordon Low examines the issues » Read More

06/10/2011 Dust explosion Running motors and low voltage ac drives on plants with dusty environments has been regulated under the ATEX directives since 2006. Steve Ruddell explains the detail » Read More

06/10/2011 Taking control Plant engineers wedded to particular instrument and control types might do well to widen the net. Brian Tinham examines recent developments in instrumentation and control » Read More

06/10/2011 Laying down the law European directives are continuously forcing changes to UK legislation around health and safety. Brian Wall reports on what plant engineers and managers need to know » Read More

06/10/2011 Tip top condition? Predictive maintenance is an important route to cutting costs and improving plant performance. And, says Brian Tinham, the condition monitoring technologies upon which it relies are ripe for the picking » Read More

06/10/2011 Plant safety at any cost? Don't get me wrong: it's hard to argue with current moves to streamline health and safety legislation, in line with Lord Young's 'Common Sense, Common Safety' report – especially given that chief among the aims is to reduce the ... » Read More

08/08/2011 Health and Safety North Health and Safety North, the third in the regional series this year, claims to offers plant engineers a valuable learning and networking experience. Brian Wall reports » Read More

08/08/2011 Ener-G uses poultry power to generate brass from muck Green technology firm Ener-G is using chicken litter and maize to help a Hereford chicken farm become more eco friendly and generate additional income from renewable energy. » Read More

08/08/2011 Absolute Energy improves plant operations with guided wave radar Absolute Energy is reporting increased uptime and reduced energy costs since changing to Emerson's Rosemount guided wave radar to monitor water level in a condensate receiver. » Read More

08/08/2011 Tamar Foods saves 23 percent on HVAC energy One of the UK's largest producers of pastry-based products is reporting 23% energy cost savings on its HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) plant, following installation of ABB variable-speed drives. » Read More

08/08/2011 Ricoh saves £100,000 with plant-wide drives project Office equipment manufacturer Ricoh reports savings of more than £100,000 per annum on energy costs at its production plant in Telford, since installing ABB variable-speed drives (VSDs). » Read More

08/08/2011 Energy event 2011 The upcoming Energy Event promises a packed agenda focused on optimising energy management, procurement and efficiency. Laura Cork reports » Read More

08/08/2011 Sound measures Noise and vibration beyond allowable limits can leave managers on shaky ground. No wonder then these issues are climbing plant engineers' priority lists. Steed Webzell reports » Read More

08/08/2011 The master forgers Employee safety remains paramount and the legislation around personal protective equipment reflect that. But how do you tell counterfeit goods from the authentic? Brian Wall reports » Read More

08/08/2011 Turbine towers British manufacturing is on the mend. Alan Fitzpatrick reports from a site in Wales capitalising on the rush for wind power » Read More

08/08/2011 Necessary evil Poorly managed MRO stores are costing plants serious money. Brian Tinham examines systems, methods, equipment and services that claim to help plant engineers work smarter and faster » Read More

08/08/2011 Fresh pair of eyes Most plants might benefit from an energy audit, but many could also do with a review of operations, aimed at improving everything from efficiency to product quality. Dr Tom Shelley reports » Read More