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.

09/02/2011 Compressor cuts costs at oldest brewery Weihenstephan brewery in Freising near Munich is reporting a 30% reduction in compressed air energy costs since installing a variable speed, oil-free compressor from compare. » Read More

09/02/2011 Variable speed drives save £22,000 on HVAC Operators of the Omnibus building in Reigate, Surrey, report savings of £20,000 per year on HVAC energy costs since installing ABB standard variable speed drives. » Read More

09/02/2011 Hot stuff Proper maintenance and repair of furnace linings and insulation can result in significant energy savings, with the cost of new materials often being recouped within 12—24 months. Thomas Rebernak and Steve Chernak explain » Read More

09/02/2011 Bioenergy:the next generation Biomass plants are more advanced and more prolific than many realise. Birmingham City University's head of bioenergy research Dr Lynsey Melville looks at what's out there – and the future » Read More

09/02/2011 Training for tomorrow When times get tough, tough cuts follow, with training and continuing professional development suffering, too. But will that wreak long-term irreparable damage? Brian Wall reports » Read More

09/02/2011 Downsizing CHP Combined heat and power has come a very long way since Battersea Power Station. Dr Tom Shelley looks at some of the advances and offers engineering advice » Read More

09/02/2011 No Crystal Ball A wide range of tools and techniques is now available to ease the task of predicting when and what maintenance is required on machines and plant units. Steed Webzell reports » Read More

09/02/2011 Control Revisited Control valves, actuators and positioners aren't renowned for rapid technological development, but advances are changing the shape of best practice. Brian Tinham reports » Read More

09/02/2011 Get stuck in for the Big Society Engineers of all stripes might have been forgiven for raising an eyebrow at the close of last year, as the coalition government launched its nattily named Growth Review Framework for Advanced Manufacturing. » Read More

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