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.

01/03/2010 Dry ice cuts machine maintenance by 60% By turning to cryogenic (dry ice) cleaning, fruit pre-packer Turners PPL reckons it has cut the time to strip down, clean, refurbish and reassemble its weighing and packing machines from five days to two - an amazing 60%. » Read More

01/01/2010 When old meets new When it comes to refurbishing plant, it makes a lot of sense to consider its operating conditions today, not just those when it was installed. Brian Tinham takes sound engineering advice from David Bates » Read More

01/01/2010 Steam sensation The technology behind last year's record-breaking steam car has been shrouded in mystery. Brian Tinham gets project manager Matt Candy to reveal all » Read More

01/01/2010 Seeing is preventing An ability to anticipate mechanical breakdowns before they impact plant performance can be invaluable in minimising unplanned downtime. Dr Tom Shelley reports » Read More

01/01/2010 Not just hot air With the announcement late last year that Atlas Copco compressors can now recover 100% of their energy input, Peter Lattaway provides in-depth insight into the technology » Read More

01/01/2010 Maintec 2010 show Getting maintenance right, and squeezing that bit extra out of existing and new plant, is the name of the game for 2010. Brian Wall suggests taking a day at Maintec 2010 » Read More

01/01/2010 Hone your skills Like a finely tuned instrument, investing in training and continuing professional development for plant engineers helps them to perform their roles with greater speed, accuracy and precision. Brian Wall provides some insights » Read More

01/01/2010 Efficient energy Combined heat and power plants are anything but new. However, evolving technologies are revolutionising their scope and HM government likes the sound of it. Brian Tinham reports » Read More

01/01/2010 Control valves best practice Only carefully selected, installed and maintained control valves will manage fluid flow as intended. Brian Wall provides back-to-basics advice » Read More

01/01/2010 Engineering appeal soars Anyone who has spent any time in plant engineering cannot fail to have been struck by its accelerating rate of change, not just in terms of the technologies - drawing on developments from across the engineering disciplines - but also, ... » Read More

01/01/2010 Asset improver Plant condition monitoring equipment is more accessible than ever. But where should you be thinking about using it? Brian Tinham takes expert advice » Read More

01/12/2009 Zero waste? In Europe, 10% of electricity consumed by industry is for compressed air, yet much of that energy is wasted. In a carbon-conscious era, something has to change, says Steed Webzell » Read More

01/12/2009 Sow’s ear to silk purse Making a silk purse from a sow's ear has never been a promising prospect. But, says Dr Tom Shelley, plants and processes are getting better at extracting cash from trash » Read More

01/12/2009 Reaching the parts Environmentally friendly and synthetic lubricants are creeping into mainstream plant applications as alternatives to conventional mineral oils – and for good, solid economic reasons, as Brian Wall reports » Read More

01/12/2009 Raise high the pallet, engineers It's too easy to go for the same old equipment for yet another lifting or handling task. Brian Tinham examines some of the options and the engineering issues in specifying plant » Read More

01/12/2009 Opening up on control valves There are three key steps to ensuring that control valves don't cause process plant instability. Mark Perry explains the problems and their solutions » Read More

01/12/2009 Naval sultans The Royal Navy turns out some of the smartest, most able plant engineers on the planet. Brian Tinham takes a look at HMS Sultan and finds out the secrets of success » Read More

01/12/2009 CDM-C compliance The CDM regulations 2007 put the responsibility for construction project safety on plant owner/operators. Brian Tinham reviews requirements and opportunities » Read More

01/12/2009 Boiler breakthrough While innovative energy- and emissions-saving add-ons are gaining in popularity for steam-raising plant, technology trialled on marine boilers is tackling water treatment. Brian Tinham examines the final piece of the jigsaw » Read More

01/11/2009 Mustang reborn Ford's classic Mustang is now being manufactured at the AutoAlliance car plant in Flat Rock, Michigan, USA. Brian Tinham looks at the automation now behind the all American icon » Read More

01/10/2009 Under pressure Boiler plant safety is generally well understood, but the demands of work may leave pressure systems exposed to danger. Brian Tinham re-examines concerns and best practice » Read More

01/10/2009 Take cover Whether you're protecting materials, components or assemblies against corrosion, heat or fatigue, there are specialist coating choices to be considered. Steed Webzell reports » Read More

01/10/2009 Saving the earth In the rush to save energy and reduce emissions, it's easy to forget the sheer range of potential solutions. Dr Tom Shelley reviews some of today's most powerful options » Read More

01/10/2009 Process control PID has been the mainstay of process control for more than 60 years, but technology and the ever-expanding role of plant engineers merit a new, closer look, advises Brian Tinham » Read More

01/10/2009 Making the case Plant engineers have serious value to add, way beyond their primary function. Brian Tinham talks to E.On's Ian Jackson about the need to stand up and be counted » Read More