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.

23/02/2021 Blow me down The ultimate aim for a blower system used in industrial effluent treatment plants is to provide total reliability and guaranteed continuity of process operations. It should combine optimum performance with protection of the process, the ... » Read More

19/02/2021 The dual-channel principle Through a new approach to sensor information transfer, manufacturer Leuze explains how modern digital connectivity is changing the nature of electronics control. » Read More

18/02/2021 Principles of land remediation Revised Environment Agency guidance has not changed the process of planning the remediation of contaminated land or watercourses, but it has put a greater emphasis on competence and the role of sustainability » Read More

18/02/2021 Spill stop While there is no perfect way to treat large oil spills, a number of techniques have proven effective in mopping up much of them » Read More

11/02/2021 Thermal imaging to pinpoint methane leaks Methane is roughly 30 times more potent as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide – which has made detecting and tackling the massive leakages across the oil & gas industry ever more urgent, reports Brian Wall » Read More

11/02/2021 Preventing steam boiler failures With as many as a quarter of steam boilers failing their annual inspection, what should engineers be doing to improve the pass rate, asks Steed Webzell » Read More

04/02/2021 Artificial intelligence: thinking IT out loud Sealing solutions provider Trelleborg explains some of its projects in the emerging areas of artificial intelligence and machine learning and the benefits of the technology to industry » Read More

04/02/2021 Proactive plate heat exchanger maintenance Regardless of industry, engineers are finding themselves tasked with doing more with less. This has led some to adopt a run-to-failure approach to their equipment. But this approach could prove costly. By Andrew Peacock, service manager, ... » Read More

28/01/2021 Greener concrete With many concrete mixes substituting portland cement (PC) for other cementitious materials, such as fly ash and ground granulated blast-furnace slag to reduce their carbon footprint, are we entering a new era of ultra-low carbon concrete? ... » Read More

28/01/2021 Stage V engines in construction A major change in the legislation on mobile plant engines is coming this year. The EU Stage V emissions requirements will mandate dramatic reductions in pollutants such as particulates and oxides of nitrogen (NOx), for plant of almost any ... » Read More

28/01/2021 Holding all of the cards Skills passports offer direction for strategically minded technicians and evidence of aptitude for employers. No wonder then, of their growing popularity. By Steed Webzell » Read More

21/01/2021 The uses of ultrasound inspection Ultrasound is especially good at early detection of bearing faults, lubricant condition, leaks, discharge in electrical systems and steam trap monitoring. Unlike vibration analysis, it generally doesn’t require detailed knowledge of the ... » Read More

21/01/2021 Discharging your duties - chemical effluent sensors Chemical sensors can highlight potential risks with discharged water and whether environmental standards are being met. How do these technologies work in practice and what are their limitations? By Brian Wall » Read More

20/01/2021 Sulzer-led award-winning project improves performance and control of sewage ... The Forward Flow Project, instigated by Anglian Water, looks at the flows in a station or between a network of pumping stations and was developed to include a management tool that would improve the availability and efficiency of the ... » Read More

14/01/2021 Measuring access platform safety A new report from a trade association brings together, for the first time, reports of incidents and accidents involving powered access platforms. The data pinpoints the key safety risks of these ever-more essential site machines » Read More

14/01/2021 Engineering the world’s fastest tractor British agricultural and construction equipment manufacturer JCB markets a brand of fast tractors called Fastrac that can travel up to 43mph. While at that speed even a large field will whip by, it was still not fast enough for a young ... » Read More

07/01/2021 Condition monitoring and vibration analysis best practice guide Vibration analysis is not condition monitoring, and condition monitoring is not vibration analysis. Their similarities and differences, their uses and technicalities are explored here. By Colin Pickett, independent consultant, formerly ... » Read More

07/01/2021 Pandemic sparks RIDDOR surge Reporting of COVID-19 incidences to enforcing authorities have been accelerating, even when these were not work-related and so not reportable, reports Brian Wall » Read More

07/01/2021 A nation alone - protecting the safety of lone workers Since March, many office staff have switched to work at home most or all of their time, many of whom are essentially lone workers. Merely relying on the day-to-day business activity may not be enough to protect all members of staff » Read More

17/12/2020 Transport & distribution: Dock, stock and barrel Loading bays may consist of more than a poured concrete ledge and rubber bumpers. Equipment including dock levellers, doors and bay shelters facilitating operations also require care and maintenance. By John Challen » Read More

17/12/2020 Disposal: reducing waste Shredders and balers can help reduce packaging waste volumes. How can plants select the most-suitable machinery, and what are their maintenance/service requirements? By Steed Webzell » Read More

10/12/2020 Lifts: heat to power Lift drives that capture energy generated by the system can help reduce electricity bills, but the savings depend on the specific installation » Read More

10/12/2020 Step change at Blackpool Tower Blackpool Tower’s 126-year-old external staircase is to be removed as part of a wider renovation project. A decision on how the staircase will be replaced is being evaluated. By Brian Wall » Read More

03/12/2020 SKF builds a new model to better understand hybrid bearing performance For more than 50 years, hybrid bearings, which use ceramic silicon nitride rolling elements and steel rings, have been the preferred choice for high-speed, high-precision equipment. After a recently-completed testing programme, SKF ... » Read More

03/12/2020 Augmented reality and engineering projects Augmented reality (AR) has been on the ‘emerging technology trend’ list for many years, but initially saw a slow adoption curve. However, a variety of real-world applications are beginning to emerge. Has the time come to take AR seriously? ... » Read More