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.

19/12/2022 Be careful out there As the UK heads into recession, engineer surveyors need to remain vigilant. It’s not just households that will be under strain, but businesses as well. Any cutbacks may affect their maintenance and staffing levels, and how frequently they ... » Read More

19/12/2022 Fire-resistant hydraulic fluids When lubricants operate under pressure, there is a risk of small leaks and a fine spray of lubricant being atomised into the air. If such leaks occur with mineral oil-based lubricants in an area where there is an ignition source or near ... » Read More

19/12/2022 Pros and cons of electric linear actuators Rotating machinery has almost entirely shifted to direct electric power, but for linear mechanisms pneumatic and hydraulic cylinders have dominated, thanks to their robustness and relatively small dimensions. Now a host of electric linear ... » Read More

06/12/2022 Time for a dry run Compressed air dryers improve air quality and protect valuable assets, but what types are available and how is it best to care for them? » Read More

06/12/2022 Determining SIL in accordance with IEC 62061 Sector-specific standard IEC 62061 considers the entire life cycle of a machine or plant from conception to dismantling. International safety integrity level (SIL) describes the safety-related performance capability. This article explains ... » Read More

29/11/2022 Powering up Uninterruptible power supplies play a key role when mains power fails, making a carefully planned maintenance regime all the more crucial » Read More

24/11/2022 When fasteners go wrong Taking machinery apart is a routine that every engineer knows – and often enjoys. But what if you can’t take it apart – if fasteners get stuck in place, or (worse) pull out of their fixings? » Read More

24/11/2022 Designing the right impellers Impeller design and specification is critical to fan performance in all applications, and especially when operating in harsh operating environments. Phil Kirkham, engineering manager at Elta Fans Applied Technology, explains what to look ... » Read More

14/11/2022 Shedding light on lighthouses Lighthouses use some of the most effective lights in the world but maintaining them can prove tricky. Ben Spencer finds out why » Read More

14/11/2022 Lighting for ATEX environments Illuminating hazardous and explosive environments can be quite a technical matter. Codes specify the technical solutions appropriate to the risks. By Toby Clark » Read More

14/11/2022 Energy efficiently While it may not be exciting, energy efficiency really has a vital role to play in helping the country make the most of its resources, both as consumers and industry. As an employee in the oil and gas industry, I have witnessed a number of ... » Read More

14/11/2022 Raising the bar in rebar repair One of the biggest degradation mechanisms of concrete is corrosion of the internal reinforcing bar, bringing a real threat of structural failure. How can it be managed to avoid such outcomes? By Brian Wall » Read More

14/11/2022 T Levels - the new broom The first engineering repair standard in the new T Level course suite took its first learners in September. Will Dalrymple reviews the course and approach » Read More

14/11/2022 Determining access rights for facilities Whether talking about a machine, robot, room or entire building, how is it best to ensure safety by restricting employee access? By Steed Webzell » Read More

14/11/2022 The sensor requirements of data centres With responsibility for around 1% of global electricity consumption, the sector is heavily affected by turbulence in energy costs, so there is a very strong demand for energy efficiency. In common with all good process efficiency measures, ... » Read More

14/11/2022 MIC: a solution in the pipeline Aiming to improve the detection, monitoring and mitigation of the billion-dollar issue of microbiologically influenced corrosion is a new joint industry project. By Steed Webzell » Read More

14/11/2022 Digital ID for industrial valves To further drive digitisation in the process industry, manufacturers should supply clearly identifiable devices and make standardised product data available digitally. The DIN SPEC 91406/IEC 61406 and VDI 2770 standards provide support in ... » Read More

14/11/2022 Successfully sizing up valves Specifying a replacement control valve can be a challenge. Making the right choice ensures optimum system control and accuracy, but sizing requires time, as well as a certain level of expertise. To help resolve these challenges, flow ... » Read More

14/11/2022 Blue, green or both? The government has doubled its target for hydrogen production, from five to 10GW by 2030, as part of its new Energy Security Strategy. But how ready is UK industry? » Read More

31/10/2022 What’s up with HAZOPs? A hazard and operability study (HAZOP) is a type of risk assessment used for chemical process systems at the design and planning stage. It was first created as part of ICI’s six-stage hazard study process in the 1960’s, and subsequently ... » Read More

27/10/2022 From the ground up The aerospace industry has developed one of the most mature models for maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO). We look at how the process works and what future changes are coming » Read More

24/10/2022 Medical-grade air The medical and pharmaceutical industries use compressed air for a range of applications. Because medical gases often have a direct impact on patient health, it is critical that the compressed air used for these purposes is 100% oil-free » Read More

17/10/2022 Blades drawn in 1 billion contract battle Several heavyweight aircraft manufacturers are to fight it out for ascendancy as the MoD looks to replace its aging fleet of medium-lift helicopters with a new dynamic task force » Read More

17/10/2022 Steady on Britain’s strategic reserve of military vehicles is now safe to use, thanks to a £20m asbestos decontamination operation, thought to be the biggest ever undertaken in the UK » Read More

17/10/2022 Digital transfer for safety data Four regional automotive manufacturer and supplier associations have endorsed a free and open-source digital transfer system of chemicals safety data sheets, ESDScom, in a joint position statement, an edited version of which is published ... » Read More