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
the umbrella of SOE (Society of Operations Engineers). However, to discover the
many benefits of becoming an SOE member, please click here.
05/08/2019
Inching forward
While manufacturers are now using electro hydraulics to power all types of ancillary equipment, bringing it to market is a slow process. OE looks at the in-roads already made
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04/07/2019
Smart moves
Intelligent drives have evolved beyond simply providing high performance for a connected motor. They also offer detailed diagnostics information that can be an essential tool for maintenance. OE reviews the capability of standard equipment
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03/06/2019
Inside job
Manually-operated inspection vehicles are used to inspect pipelines and pipework. But the days of these vehicles may be numbered, as researchers look at truly autonomous inspection and repairs
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03/06/2019
Doing the dirty
Recent research has suggested that more than four in five Brits want robots to ‘do the dirty work’. Luckily, such technology is starting to become a reality, able to take over different tasks in various sectors of industry
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03/06/2019
Avoiding robo-flop
Make UK launched a course last year to retrain and up-skill employees, covering the knowledge and practical skills involved with robotic and automation engineering. Commercial manager Mark Farrant, and commercial maintenance tutor Gordon ...
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03/06/2019
Heart of the workhorse
Forklift trucks that run on electricity are common throughout industry. So, what operational and maintenance-related advice and products are out there for users looking to get the most out of their batteries?
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03/06/2019
Raising the bar
Two lightweight gantry cranes from Reid Lifting continue to play an integral role in ongoing construction and testing as the planet’s most advanced straight-line racing car, Bloodhound SSC, is prepared for its landmark world record attempt
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03/06/2019
Wet & healthy
Who knew the humble tap could kill? OE takes a look at water safety in healthcare and how it should be managed
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08/05/2019
Ploughing forward with safety
Industry bodies are pushing ‘best practice’ to improve health and safety on farms. So, what are the issues for off-road agricultural vehicles and machinery and what safety checks should operators carry out?
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08/05/2019
Comment: Give and take
Over the years covering industry, I’ve written a lot about nature and the environment. Usually I channel my inner Attenborough, reiterating how we need to do more to protect our lands and oceans, help wildlife, and minimise air and waste ...
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08/05/2019
Correct lubrication = longevity
Industrial equipment can fail because of inadequate lubrication maintenance and incorrect lubrication. Getting it right, first time, every time, is therefore vital
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08/05/2019
Cool pollution solution
The transition to new refrigerants is being driven by environmental impact, energy efficiency, safety and cost effectiveness, as well as legislative pressure. R32 refrigerant is set to become a huge part of the future in air conditioning ...
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08/05/2019
Tapping into nature
A Queen’s Quay regeneration project in Clydebank is set to be the site of one of the UK’s most exciting energy projects, creating Scotland’s first large-scale water source heat pump scheme to connect to a district heating network
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04/04/2019
Hydrophonical
Water supply utility Anglian Water has begun installing thousands of leak sensors across its network, as well as trialling a new kind of pressure sensor to stop a big cause of leaks; transient surges
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04/04/2019
A nuclear approach to seismic sensing
This article discusses the latest trends in seismic monitoring and protection systems for nuclear plants, including technologies adopted and current best practice driven by enhanced risk management demands
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04/04/2019
Turning up the heat
Heat networks and Combined Heat and Power (CHP) have gained in popularity, as legislators and developers recognise them as a way to meet energy reduction targets. However, technical and operational challenges, and user acceptance issues, ...
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07/03/2019
Wat-er decision
An extraordinarily cost-effective project at a UK theme park, involving the fitment of modern variable-speed drive electronics to existing pump motors, has won supplier Central Group an industry award
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07/03/2019
Where there’s smoke…
Recently-published HSE guidance has set the first UK limits for workplace exposure of nitrogen dioxide and nitrogen monoxide, as well as lowering the carbon monoxide value: that means that employers whose workers come into contact to ...
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07/03/2019
Dust busting
Exposure to dust and other particles can result in breathing and lung problems. Luckily there are different solutions available to employers and employees to reduce dust intake, and campaigns looking to shake things up
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07/03/2019
Improvement works
Following a pumping station pollution incident that led to a fine, Thames Water has made a series of improvement changes involving personnel, maintenance and data management
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07/03/2019
ComVac Show Preview
ComVac, the trade fair for compressed air and vaccum technology, is being held in halls 25 and 26 from 1-5 April. See also: www.is.gd/asotur
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05/02/2019
The wonders of waste
United Utilities’ £200 million investment at its Davyhulme wastewater treatment works in greater Manchester has put the site right at the forefront when it comes to sewage treatment
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05/02/2019
Comment: Monster of the deep
A ‘monster’ fatberg, longer than six double-decker buses, has been found in Devon. South West Water says it’s the largest mass of oil, grease and wet wipes discovered in its service history.
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05/02/2019
A matter of manganese
Filtering out the naturally-occurring mineral from potable water in the North East is a new 37.3Mld pressure filtration plant
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05/02/2019
Raising the game
Many commercial and industrial processes present widely variable or even intermittent demands for steam. Operations engineers looking to reduce costs and improve efficiency, whilst keeping emissions to a minimum, are turning to the ...
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