Plant Equipment 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
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05/02/2020
Fighting floods
There are a range of products and equipment that can aid in flooding scenarios – before, during and after they happen. OE highlights some examples currently on the market
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05/02/2020
Identify & rectify
Rising energy costs have created an atmosphere of uncertainty for many UK businesses. Correctly identifying and accounting for potential energy losses could help save money on fuel bills
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05/02/2020
Polishing up on feedwater
The bulk of boiler failures are due to problems with water. Poor feedwater chemistry can lead to scale deposits, sludge and corrosion in boilers and pressure vessels with potentially catastrophic failure as a result. For boilers, water ...
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08/01/2020
Earth movers
Tunnel boring machines are anything but boring, having been responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious construction projects. OE investigates these ubiquitous, but largely unseen, underground monsters
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08/01/2020
Tipping the balance
A consortium of construction organisations has developed a seven-point strategy on the proper and safe use of forward tipping dumpers
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08/01/2020
Electric Avenue
Global warming concerns have been reignited across the world. In the mobile plant sector, companies are starting to rock down to Electric Avenue to help tackle such problems, among others. Highlights of some latest efforts follows
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08/01/2020
Forging closer bonds
The British Pump Manufacturers’ Association and Lancaster University are working together to support pump manufacturers in solving their technical challenges. The tie-up also aims to raise the standard for pump engineers
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12/12/2019
Elevated status
As the operator of a tower crane, getting from the bottom to the top and vice versa takes considerable time and effort. Surely there is an easier way?
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12/12/2019
A lift for standards
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With no legal standard in force to ensure forklift truck technicians have the essential skills, knowledge and competence to carry out their roles, to whom should employers turn? Enter F-TEC
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12/12/2019
End of life
Electric vehicle (EV) use is soaring and with it the growing issue of how to dispose of a large volume of expensive batteries. There are two major strands of thought – repurposing or recycling. Both offer an opportunity to recover residual ...
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12/12/2019
Increased range
Thermo-pressure hydrolysis uses heat and pressure to pre-treat food waste before anaerobic digestion. This increases the methane yield while improving the process tolerance to contaminants. It also dramatically increases throughput, ...
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12/12/2019
A sticky situation
An on-site trial at a ciabatta bread bakery has demonstrated that it is possible to successfully pump viscous, sticky dough products, even when they are mixed with baked bread. Seepex UK’s customised enclosed, automated waste removal ...
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01/11/2019
Coiled to strike
Not all pump or gearbox performance issues are caused by mechanical problems, such as bearing failures. Damaged motor windings could be at fault. OE explores how coil damage occurs and how coil rewind works
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07/10/2019
Going to great lengths
The Historic Dockyard Chatham, situated on the River Medway in Kent, has been handed funding for conservation and repair works to machinery within its working Victorian Ropery. OE’s deputy editor made his way along the ropewalk to find out ...
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07/10/2019
Fighting a lost cause
How do you keep track of assets that could be easily lost or pilfered on a large or complex site: too big to sit on a shelf, but too small to be permanently installed. OE examines the technological options
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07/10/2019
Gently does it
Bringing together information from sensors has significantly reduced unwanted movement in extended booms and crane jibs when lifting materials
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07/10/2019
Getting vocal
Voice assisted technology has become very popular in the consumer market, with the likes of Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It is now starting to make inroads into the industrial market too
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07/10/2019
Motor switching
Last year, a guide from the Carbon Trust into the energy efficiency of plants suggested many ways to improve environmental efficiency. One suggestion was to switch off continuous motors when they are not used
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07/10/2019
Defence snapshot
The Defence & Security Equipment International (DSEI) exhibition aimed to connect governments, national armed forces, industry and the global defence & security supply chain. Highlights are below
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06/09/2019
The wheel deal
Bucket wheel reclaimers/excavators are among the largest machines ever built, shifting vast amounts of stored solid material – and all at remarkable speed. Operations Engineer gets up close to these Leviathans to find out more
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06/09/2019
Getting Europe connected
The UK recently energised its latest power interconnector, this time connecting Britain with Belgium. It is just one of a swathe of new interconnector projects that are set to transform the UK’s generation portfolio – and that of our ...
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06/09/2019
Engineering excellence
Environment Agency engineer Ahmed Yusuf (inset) has been named ‘Professional Young Engineer of the Year’ by the Pump Centre. Here, the 27-year-old explains more about his work and plans for the future
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06/09/2019
A big step-change
Nereda technology was originally presented to the UK water industry in 2013. Since then, the technology has been tested and implemented at more plants
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06/09/2019
Motion picture
Typical conveyors used in industrial settings include belt systems and over-head systems. But what about static conveyor systems? OE looks at some non-moving conveyor innovations already on the market
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05/08/2019
Cushioned approach
The latest pneumatic and hydraulic cylinders feature improved cushioning systems for higher speeds with reduced stress and vibration. But what is involved in the technology, how does it work, and what maintenance implications are there?
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