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.

09/12/2010 Common sense, common safety In the aftermath of Lord Young of Graffham's long awaited 'Common Sense, Common Safety' report, most health and safety engineers must be thinking, 'so what?'. Setting aside his now infamous gaff, Lord Young's only noteworthy ... » Read More

09/12/2010 Safe maintenance Following publication of Lord Young's report into improving health and safety, plant engineers need to get back to basics. Brian Tinham talks to Geoff Cox, HSE's head of manufacturing » Read More

09/12/2010 Airs and graces With costs under perpetual scrutiny, Steed Webzell assesses compressed air systems and how best to please both plant engineers and managers » Read More

09/12/2010 Oiling the wheels Lubricants and lubrication systems re advancing more than many realise – for static and mobile plant. Dr Tom Shelley reports » Read More

09/12/2010 Filter facts Pneumatic systems need to operate reliably, even in extreme conditions. John Hill examines the requirements, in terms of components, filters and maintenance » Read More

09/12/2010 Steaming ahead Engineering innovation has the propensity to change plant practice, and that applies to boilers and steam generation too. But improvements can also be made by going back to basics. Brian Tinham reports » Read More

09/12/2010 Seeds of safety Lifting-related deaths and injuries still remain worryingly high. But adherence to statutory regulations and best practice could make a real difference, as Brian Wall reports » Read More

09/12/2010 Making it better Renovating or refurbishing major plant can be more complicated than some realise. Dr Tom Shelley walks us through some the key processes and issues » Read More

09/12/2010 Precision ship positioning system relies on redundant drive technology One of the world's most advanced survey vessels is now capable of positional accuracy down to ± one metre, thanks in part to bow and stern thrusters powered by variable speed drives. » Read More

09/12/2010 Mixing machines get hydraulic power boost Industrial mixers manufacturer Winkworth is reporting success with two new hydraulic drive systems – one for a 450 litre twin-blade waste and recycling mixer/extruder, the other for a hazardous fluid mixer/incorporator. » Read More

09/12/2010 Instant heating is flavour of the month at Fox’s biscuits Fox's Biscuits in Preston reports that its problem of hot water shortages has been solved since installing an EasiHeat engineered system, from Spirax Sarco. » Read More

09/12/2010 Brammer makes cross-channel dash to keep Crown Bevcan running Manufacturing group Crown Bevcan reports that Brammer came to its rescue recently, transporting equipment via taxi from France to its Leicester plant overnight, to keep production running. » Read More

09/12/2010 ABB drives cut £25,000 off energy costs for asphalt plant More than £25,000 of energy costs per year are being saved by an asphalt production plant, following fitment of ABB variable speed drives. » Read More

06/10/2010 Peristaltic pump tackles troublesome pH at Greencore Food manufacturer Greencore is reporting "significant savings" in downtime and repair costs on water treatment plant at its site in Selby, North Yorkshire, thanks to a high pressure peristaltic hose pump. » Read More

06/10/2010 Compressor investment to pay for itself within two years Petrochem Carless' Harwich refinery reports savings of more than 430,000kWh per annum from its investment in new energy-efficient compressors – which it says will pay for themselves in two years. » Read More

06/10/2010 Mersen mould station automation improves quality and yield Thermal insulation supplier Mersen's site at Eurocentral, Scotland, is now running a new wet moulding station and effluent treatment plant that now automates a manual manufacturing process. » Read More

06/10/2010 Electric tugs are key to flask handling at Chapelcross nuclear station Engineers at the Chapelcross nuclear power station are reporting reduced manual handling risks for staff since moving to electric-operated tugs for moving large, heavy nuclear flasks, ready for decommissioning. » Read More

06/10/2010 Predicting problems Using condition monitoring technologies to anticipate a requirement for critical plant maintenance isn't new, but novel systems are improving the potential, reports Dr Tom Shelley » Read More

06/10/2010 Scratching the surface Extending the life and applicability of materials and components through the application of coatings is an old engineering trick. Steed Webzell provides an update on the latest technologies and processes » Read More

06/10/2010 Sands of time Punitive new legislation could prove the high noon for industrial plants that have so far failed to calculate their carbon footprint and formulate a plan to effect improvements. But it isn't too late to get it right, as Brian Wall reports » Read More

06/10/2010 Hoses and pumps Although hydraulics and pneumatics are very mature branches of engineering, Dr Tom Shelley finds useful developments involving specialist hoses and air pumps » Read More

06/10/2010 Instruments for control Help is at hand for plant engineers facing up to the challenge of handling instrumentation and control. Brian Tinham reports on recent developments » Read More

06/10/2010 Deepwater Horizon Last month's report by BP into the causes of its Gulf rig explosion and fire, and the lessons to be learned, point to a chilling sequence of failures. Brian Tinham reports » Read More

06/10/2010 The benefit of hindsight now BP's long awaited report into the causes of its oil rig explosion and the worst oil spill in US history is finally out (page 8). The Deepwater Horizon saga makes grim reading, providing, as it does, a detailed study of the sequence of ... » Read More

10/08/2010 Revolutionary progressing cavity pumps trialled at United Utilities Two of NOV Mono's recently introduced EZstrip progressing cavity pumps have been installed at United Utilities Fairbourne wastewater treatment works in Wales to improve process efficiency. » Read More