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.

07/06/2011 Webster & Horsfall cuts energy costs by 33% Wire and strip manufacturer Webster & Horsfall is reporting one third energy cost savings since converting from existing inefficient steam boiler to thermal fluid heating. » Read More

07/06/2011 Smart wireless monitors water at GlaxoSmithKline Ireland GlaxoSmithKline's Cork plant in Ireland is reporting success with monitoring water usage using Emerson's smart wireless technology. » Read More

07/06/2011 Green without eco-bling As energy saving climbs up plant engineers' agendas, Dr Tom Shelley reviews some of the good and not so good technologies for heating, ventilating and air conditioning » Read More

07/06/2011 Head for heights There are many concerns when it comes to working at height, not least cheap inferior products now flooding the UK market. Brian Wall reports » Read More

07/06/2011 Good for everyone Workplace regulations may not be facing radical change, but their implementation and policing certainly are. Brian Tinham reports on the price of the cuts » Read More

07/06/2011 Wired for water Technologies available to cut the cost of treating waste water, by improving efficiency and obviating practical problems, are many and various. Dr Tom Shelley explains » Read More

07/06/2011 Vane engineering With plant engineers' focus strictly on costs, uptime and efficiency, it's worth reviewing your pumps and fans – and what's on offer from variable speed drives and associated equipment. Brian Tinham reports » Read More

07/06/2011 Picture perfect With so much publicity surrounding infrared cameras as very effective plant condition monitoring tools, Steed Webzell looks at the substance behind the hype » Read More

07/06/2011 A case of too little, too late With the HSE's consultation period now closed on the proposal to change employers' statutory reporting requirements, under RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations), from over three days to seven for ... » Read More

07/04/2011 Ultrasonics solve level problems at Ayr Pumping Station Scottish Water is reporting success with non-contacting ultrasonic level measurement equipment that has resolved a difficult deep-well measurement issue. » Read More

07/04/2011 Novel emergency stop improves efficiency at Airbus Filton The Airbus plant at Filton, Bristol is reporting improved safety and efficiency since installing Siemens' innovative 'e-stop' emergency stop buttons. » Read More

07/04/2011 Chester Zoo monorail upgrade is smooth improvement Chester Zoo is reporting improved performance from its newly refurbished 1.5km long straddle beam monorail system – in large part due to new Parker drives and ac motors. » Read More

07/04/2011 Astrum foundry halves energy costs with Variable speed compressors Two regulated-speed compressors are helping steel components maker Astrum to halve compressed air energy costs, while also increasing productivity. » Read More

07/04/2011 Advanced agitator design shaves 60% off plant energy bill Process engineers at AkzoNobel's Birmingham coatings plant are reporting energy consumption cut by more than 60%, with batch times reduced by 20 minutes, since installing EKATO agitators. » Read More

07/04/2011 Machine safety Following last year's update of the Machinery Directive, Laura Cork uncovers concerns and confusion over safety-related issues – for machine builders, specifiers and users » Read More

07/04/2011 Fail to danger Most toxic and flammable gas detectors feature the fundamental flaw of failing to danger. Dr Tom Shelley looks at the problem and some useful solutions » Read More

07/04/2011 Automation upgrade With computing technology not known for standing still, it should come as no surprise that the control systems it underpins are getting cleverer and cheaper. Brian Tinham reports » Read More

07/04/2011 Managing maintenance Computerised maintenance management systems – CMMS – are helping to breathe new life into enlightened plant operations, as Brian Wall reports » Read More

07/04/2011 Uplifted engineering The revised Machinery Directive will have an effect on operations engineers using lifting equipment. Dr Tom Shelley reports » Read More

07/04/2011 Risk-based changes Get it right and the savings can be huge, but get it wrong and the cost is unimaginable. Brian Tinham talks to John Wintle about changing best practice for hazardous plant inspections » Read More

07/04/2011 Safety under the microscope With the publication in mid February of the final report into the 2005 Buncefield explosion and fire – Britain's most expensive industrial disaster – any remaining doubt that the primary causes were failings in safety management will have ... » Read More

09/02/2011 Maintec 2011 preview This year's tightly focused maintenance technologies event is aimed at engineers, technicians and managers specialising in plant assets. Brian Tinham reports » Read More

09/02/2011 Peristaltics take on the nasties Surface treatment technologies specialist AHC Benelux reports that its peristaltic pump is working well, handling aggressive wastewater fluids. » Read More

09/02/2011 Chains need the right lubricant Tests by leaf chain manufacturer FB Chain reveal that the choice of lubricant, not just the frequency of greasing, has a dramatic impact on forklift truck chain performance. » Read More

09/02/2011 Ceramic liner is tougher than coal clinker Material protection specialist Kingfisher says it has solved a problem of rapidly wearing surfaces at an unnamed power station, where two other firms' trial installations had failed. » Read More