Maintenance, Repair and Operations 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.

29/03/2023 Down the drain The UK government is pushing for sustainable drainage systems in new developments. Ben Spencer finds out how users of commercial buildings stand to benefit » Read More

29/03/2023 Measuring liquid levels Liquid level measurement sensors are being installed throughout the sewage network to reduce stormwater sewer discharges, reports Jody Muelaner » Read More

29/03/2023 Details matter To comply with HSE guidelines, inspections need to go beyond what’s covered by LOLER (such as lifting components and hydraulics) to include an examination of brakes, steering and tyres as required under PUWER regulations, according to ... » Read More

29/03/2023 What good looks like There is a new standard for the qualification and certification of NDT personnel. So, what has changed and what does accreditation look like now, asks Steed Webzell. » Read More

29/03/2023 Optical sensors and ambient light Baumer explains why ambient light has such a significant influence on optical sensors. It contends that its sensor toolbox provides the benefits of ambient light immunity, eliminating many error sources in production » Read More

20/03/2023 Making power networks greener Now there are several approaches to reducing or eliminating global warming gas SF6 in electrical installations led by switchgear manufacturers and high-profile customers such as National Grid » Read More

20/03/2023 We find solutions As this text is being written, the rescue effort is winding down in southern Turkey and northern Syria, following devastating earthquakes there. It is painful to watch a human disaster unfold. And it’s frustrating that logistical and ... » Read More

20/03/2023 Asset management: bending lines into circles The future circular economy needs asset management to define and support the management of multiple asset life cycles and harness and unlock additional value streams that the assets enable, according to The Institute of Asset Management » Read More

20/03/2023 Pumps and the circular economy Europump, the European Association of Pump Manufacturers, explains how the European pump industry interprets the requirements of the EC Circular Economy Action Plan, introduced in March 2020 » Read More

20/03/2023 Hazardous substances: off the trike What is the outlook for, and operational safety of, chlorinated substances such as perchloroethylene, a common industry substitute for the outlawed trichloroethylene? by Steed Webzell » Read More

20/03/2023 Sensing: smell management A Paris waste-to-energy plant improves odour mitigation with smart sensors and environmental intelligence provided by Ellona » Read More

20/03/2023 An introduction to manufacturing execution systems MES systems have a range of production and business benefits, but the cost is too steep for some smaller companies. Ben Spencer finds out what support is available. By Ben Spencer » Read More

20/03/2023 AI and vibration analysis When a vibration level goes out of tolerance, automated condition monitoring software can notify maintenance staff of an issue. While a skilled vibration analyst would typically be required to diagnose the actual cause of the fault to fix ... » Read More

20/03/2023 Motors: the long and winding road When National Grid faced maintenance issues with two motors installed at critical gas booster station sites in England, it approached Sulzer. Delivering turnkey redesigns and rewinds for the complex 16 MW units, Sulzer has helped National ... » Read More

20/03/2023 Closed-loop speed control for DC motors For some miniature DC applications, such as certain types of surgical hand tools, a closed-loop control provides stable speed regulation under increasing and fluctuating loads. Understanding whether open- or closed-loop control is ... » Read More

20/03/2023 Changes to building energy efficiency With 1 April 2023 fast approaching, it is time to get serious about the upcoming changes to the Minimum Energy Efficient Standard (MEES) Regulations, which come into force then. By Kylie Cooper, partner, Wright Hassall » Read More

20/02/2023 Inside London's 'super sewer' Construction of London’s new 25km-long River Thames sewer tunnel is progressing at pace, as delivery company Tideway pursues its 2025 targeted opening date. By Brian Wall » Read More

20/02/2023 Catchments: a new view of wastewater treatment When considering the cost and carbon footprint associated with conventional treatment using chemicals, can water catchment provide a more nature-based alternative? By Steed Webzell » Read More

20/02/2023 Comment: ready for the worst I am in the South Atlantic, 60 miles off the coast of Angola, although it’s a little farther to the nearest port. The sea depth here is 1,700m. We’re on a boat [an FPSO], but we can’t sail; there’s no propulsion, and are secured to the ... » Read More

20/02/2023 All about storm overflows As Southern Water recovers from a dark period, managing storm overflows is the biggest challenge that it – and the industry – faces. Water utilities use storm overflows to serve as relief valves that ensure that rain and wastewater is ... » Read More

20/02/2023 Preventing waterborne pollution disasters Marine pollution from shipping and offshore installations is a constant threat to the UK on many levels. Preparing for the worst to achieve the best is the goal of simulation exercises. By Brian Wall » Read More

20/02/2023 Test & measurement: finding the right level Non-contact FMCW level measurement technology for the food and beverage industry provides measurement accuracy while adapting to existing process connections. By Olivier Reglat, food industry manager, Krohne » Read More

20/02/2023 Thermal imaging tips and tricks Thermal cameras continue to come down in price and are entering the mainstream industrial world to provide help in maintenance and inspection tasks. However, they are not necessarily as simple to use as they appear, with the emissivity ... » Read More

20/02/2023 Four steps to prevent motor failure Arming maintenance engineers and technicians with the right tools and knowledge can help reduce overall downtime costs. By Markus Bakker, field application engineer, Fluke Corporation » Read More

20/02/2023 The proper way to do pressure testing EEMUA and SAFed have released guidance on pressure tests following a series of deaths and injuries. Each comes at the issue from a slightly different angle. By Ben Spencer » Read More