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.

13/04/2022 PPE changes for the workforce: guidance for employers With new PPE regulations that came into force on 6th April, under the Personal Protective Equipment at Work (Amendment) Regulations 2022, employers that supply safety equipment to employees must carefully assess their health and safety ... » Read More

30/03/2022 A guide to improved gas feeding in water treatment Accurate gas dosing and the ability to control the feed to match changing conditions are vital for water treatment applications such as pH control using CO2 or removing iron with oxidation. From the outset, the system requires accurate ... » Read More

28/03/2022 Getting under the skin of sausage manufacturing efficiency As the popularity of sausages continues to grow, manufacturers are increasingly looking for ways to improve speed, efficiency and quality by utilizing artificial casings. Markus Huuhtanen from Vaisala (Finland) explains how these ... » Read More

14/03/2022 The greening of steel Has the UK blown its chance to be a main player in the ‘green steel’ economy? As Europe forges ahead, the government’s £250m Clean Steel Fund is still ‘on hold’ – with no clear future strategy emerging. By Brian Wall » Read More

14/03/2022 Leading the way in digital transformation The UK’s first Schneider Electric smart factory, in Flint, Wales, provides a model for revolutionising ageing infrastructure to deliver operational effectiveness and sustainability, reports Will Dalrymple » Read More

14/03/2022 Learning about additive manufacturing As additive manufacturing (AM) matures into a technology that produces finished products instead of prototypes, MTC has launched an apprenticeship, reports Tom Austin-Morgan » Read More

14/03/2022 Tool and equipment preventive maintenance Reducing or eliminating the risk of unplanned downtime, manufacturing interruptions and missing repair stock is an issue for every manufacturing company. An effective way to achieve best practice is to focus on implementing a service ... » Read More

14/03/2022 What is stiction? If you have ever tried to push a box across a floor, building up effort only for it to suddenly slide rapidly and easily, you have experienced ‘stiction’; it can lead to mechanical motion control problems in valves and elsewhere » Read More

14/03/2022 Valve performance How can engineers ensure that valves are performing efficiently and correctly on a process line? By Steed Webzell » Read More

14/03/2022 Train wreck In January, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch released its report into the derailment and fire involving a tanker train at Llangennech, Carmarthenshire, 26 August 2020. The report, which blames the incident on inadequate maintenance, ... » Read More

14/03/2022 Workplace permitting and digital safety Yokogawa makes the case for a digital approach to safety management of plant operations, as it launches a new version of its RAP control-to-work software » Read More

14/03/2022 Condition monitoring for wind turbines In any application, condition monitoring makes maintenance more efficient by preventing catastrophic failures and unplanned downtime, enabling efficient scheduling of maintenance operations with parts ordered in advance, and performing ... » Read More

14/03/2022 Understanding light measurement Users looking to understand the brightness of a light may come across various terms, some of which date back to the candle. Although lighting technology may have moved on (to LEDs), measurements of light remain unchanged, explains vehicle ... » Read More

14/03/2022 COSHH software overview How can plants manage their COSHH assessments effectively? Using software is one option that may reduce the burden. By Steed Webzell » Read More

09/03/2022 Prevention is better than cure: caring for compressors Well-planned maintenance of any equipment is essential for long-term reliability and efficiency. Following the routine servicing carefully detailed in the operator’s manual may seem obvious, but this is crucial to preventing potential ... » Read More

14/02/2022 Steam trap management Crucial parts of the steam supply system, these simple components let out water and condensate, but their failure could have a significant effect. By Toby Clark » Read More

14/02/2022 Recovering hot air By recovering waste heat, facilities can reduce energy costs and CO2 emissions, while simultaneously increasing energy efficiency. But is it as easy as it sounds? By Tom Austin-Morgan » Read More

14/02/2022 Taming the overflow storm Regulation governing sewer storm overflows has been markedly stepped up. As a result, monitoring devices are being installed across all water authorities to combat the soaring number of discharges. By Brian Wall » Read More

14/02/2022 Water industry responds to climate change A critical report by the government’s water regulator Ofwat found that climate change was the biggest threat to the water sector’s asset management plans. By Tom Austin-Morgan » Read More

14/02/2022 NDE 4.0 - a new dawn for evaluation As well as developing and adopting new technologies, the transition to NDE 4.0 will demand new ways of working for inspection personnel. By Steed Webzell » Read More

14/02/2022 Saving the planet? The COP26 climate conference in November 2021 featured many pronouncements to ‘save the planet’ through addressing climate change, although how to actually reduce concentrations of carbon-based greenhouse gases in the atmosphere was far ... » Read More

14/02/2022 Northern grit BES’s engineer surveyor of the year for 2021, Stuart Pattinson, reflects on a career spent inspecting industrial equipment. Profile by Will Dalrymple » Read More

14/02/2022 Motors: decode your nameplate Whether you are looking to replace or repair a motor, when talking to your supplier or service provider, it is important to give them accurate details of the motor you currently have. The most relevant information should be recorded on the ... » Read More

14/02/2022 Data for decarbonisation The Institution of Mechanical Engineers has published a white paper arguing that data is the starting place to reduce greenhouse gas emissions produced by domestic and industrial buildings. The paper, available via www.is.gd/axuvoco, is ... » Read More

14/02/2022 Spill response training Core skills, competencies and providers: setting out the importance of environmental spillage and incident management training. By Steed Webzell » Read More